In recent days, local social media has mentioned the topic of the Vietnamese government remenioning Special Economic Zones. According to observers, the phrase “from special zones” has begun to appear in state documents and the state-controlled media after a period of absence.
On March 20, 2025, the Government Electronic website reported that the Central Steering Committee on the issue of restructuring the political apparatus mentioned the issue of special zones. Specifically, in Official Dispatch No. 43-CV/BCĐ, there was a paragraph stating “Directing the organization of congresses of party committees of communes, wards, and special zones for the 2025-2030 term. Must be completed before August 31, 2025.”
In 2017, there are a story of establishing special administrative-economic units in Van Don (Quang Ninh), Bac Van Phong (Khanh Hoa), and Phu Quoc (Kien Giang) with the aim of attracting foreign investment, with an estimated cost of up to $70 billion.
This policy was approved by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s Politburo, accordingly, the Vietnamese State proposed to establish three Special Economic Zones, to create conditions for foreign enterprises to boost their investment. Notably, FDI enterprises were allowed to lease land, initially proposed for up to 120 years, later reduced to 99 years.
That has caused significant concerns for the Vietnamese people. Public opinion is concerned that this will lead to Chinese companies controlling important locations in Vietnam, where the special economic zones are planned to be established.
In June 2018, the Draft Law on Special Economic Zones was submitted to the National Assembly, waiting for approval. According to then National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, this is the policy of the Politburo that has been agreed upon, so there is no room for retreat.
The above statement by Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan sparked a wave of public “indignation”. Immediately, it became a political “earthquake”, leading to massive protests across the country.
A series of protests occurred in many localities, even riots and vandalism targeting foreign enterprises in provinces such as Binh Thuan and Binh Duong. In response to the public’s outrage, the Draft Law on Special Economic Zones was immediately withdrawn, and its vote in the National Assembly was canceled.
The inclusion of special economic zones in the list of administrative units in Vietnam is on par with the issue of wards and communes in Official Dispatch No. 43 of the Steering Committee. In the context that the Vietnamese government is implementing a plan to reorganize the administrative apparatus. The question has been raised: Is this a move to detect the people’s reaction?
That is why, at present, the topic of establishing special economic zones has become the focus of public opinion. There have been many concerns that the Special Economic Zone Law will be revived to serve the needs of Chinese investors.
In particular, recently, General Secretary To Lam has shown many signs of being unusually open to the Beijing leadership.
Moreover, during his visit to Cuba in October 2024, the former police chief also visited the country’s only special economic zone. It is known that the event was simultaneously published by the state-controlled press.
However, according to analysts, some localities, such as Kien Giang, have proposed to turn Phu Quoc and Tho Chu into special economic zones. Or the fact that the Government is implementing the Da Nang Free Trade Zone with a pilot period of 5 years. Accordingly, these areas do not require projects or registration procedures for foreign investors, to facilitate them. This has shown that this is a completely different, more open approach, and quite different from the previous Special Economic Zone Law.
Therefore, the recent reappearance of the term “special economic zone” in state documents has a different meaning. It does not necessarily mean that the Special Economic Zone Law will be revived. Let’s wait and see.
Tra My – Thoibao.de
