Da Nang’s 2026 Development Agenda: Strategic Growth Momentum

 

Da Nang has officially entered a new phase of economic expansion following the ceremony to announce National Assembly Resolution No. 259/2025/QH15 on January 9th 2026. This milestone event marks the formal launch of the city’s breakthrough institutional framework, highlighted by the establishment of the Vietnam International Financial Center (VIFC). 

By transitioning from traditional administrative models to a specialized urban government and a pioneering Free Trade Zone, the city has moved beyond the planning phase into active execution. This “breakthrough in institutional space” is designed to unlock significant new potential, positioning Da Nang as a competitive destination for high-tech investment and international finance.

 

The strategy is built on three core pillars:

 

• Pioneering Free Trade Zone (FTZ): Establishing Vietnam’s first pilot FTZ.
• Vietnam International Financial Center (VIFC): Developing a modern, resilient financial hub.
• High-Value Sectors: Focusing on semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and innovation.
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This transformation is supported by:

• Massive strategic infrastructure investment (airports, seaports, urban railway).
• Governance reform through a “one-stop, on-site” mechanism for streamlined administration.
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2025 Economic Performance Highlights:

• Estimated Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth of 9.18%.
• Over $520 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
• Domestic investment 2.7 times higher than the previous year.
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I. Legal and Policy Foundation: Resolution 259/2025/QH15

 

The new, specialized legal framework grants Da Nang greater autonomy, creates new revenue sources, and streamlines investment.

 

Key Policy Groups under Resolution 259:

Policy Group	Key Provisions
Investment Management	Strong decentralization; development of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) urban areas and urban railways.
Finance & Public Budget	Authority to retain 100% of additional revenue (including from carbon credit trading).
Planning & Environment	Streamlined detailed planning; expanded cases for land acquisition; mechanisms for waste-to-energy treatment.
Strategic Investor Attraction	Simplified investor selection; special incentives on land (up to 70-year tenure) and taxation (equivalent to High-Tech Park).
Free Trade Zone (FTZ)	Strategic breakthrough package with exceptional tax, customs, and foreign exchange incentives.
Semiconductors, AI & Innovation	Establishment of a “sandbox” for technology testing; non-refundable support for innovative startups.
Human Resources	Unprecedented incentives including significant tax breaks, long-term visas, and housing support to attract global talent.

 

Empowered Governance (Da Nang Specific Economic Zones Authority – DSEZA):

• DSEZA is the single, unified agency managing the FTZ, High-Tech Park, Industrial Parks, and Digital Technology Zone.
• It implements the “One-Stop, On-Site” Mechanism to reduce intermediary steps, shorten processing times, and lower compliance costs.
• It has decentralized land management power, simplifying land access for investors.
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II. Pillars of Transformation: Strategic Initiatives

 

1. The Da Nang Free Trade Zone (FTZ)

 

The FTZ is a pioneering pilot model in Vietnam, with construction scheduled to commence before September 2026.

• Key Functional Zones: Production-Logistics, Trade-Service, and Digital Technology & Innovation.

FTZ Exceptional Incentives	Details
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)	Preferential rate of 10% for 15-30 years.
Tax Holidays	4-year full exemption, followed by a 9-year 50% reduction.
Land Rent	Full exemption for the entire lease term (excluding housing and commercial/service land projects).
Customs & Foreign Exchange	Non-tariff zone policies; long-term storage; permission for direct transactions in foreign currencies.
Foreign Ownership (Aviation/Logistics)	Permitted to increase from 49% to 51%.

2. The Vietnam International Financial Center (VIFC)

 

The VIFC focuses on integrating innovation, digital technology, and sustainable finance.

• Priority Sectors: Fintech, Green Finance & ESG, commodity markets, investment funds, and asset management.
• Key Infrastructure Projects: Core Financial District (6.17 ha), Fintech District (~11.68 ha), and Da Nang Bay Reclamation (reserving ~282 ha for VIFC).
• Incentives: Competitive tax regime, liberalized foreign exchange rules, and a regulatory “sandbox” for new financial products.
• Regulatory Breakthrough: Liberalization of Foreign Exchange Transactions in the Free Trade Zone
• New Platform: Piloting the first 5 Digital Asset Trading Exchanges in Vietnam (Cryptocurrency Exchanges)

3. High-Technology and Innovation Hub

 

Da Nang aims to be one of Vietnam’s top three semiconductor and integrated circuit industry hubs by 2030, leveraging the Da Nang High-Tech Park.

• Technology Incentives:
  • CIT: 10% rate for 15 years, with a 4-year tax exemption and 9-year 50% reduction.
  • R&D Deductions: Strategic investors can deduct 150% of actual R&D expenses.
  • Startup Support: Non-refundable support for innovative startup project costs.
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III. Building the Foundation: Infrastructure and Economic Momentum

 

The city is investing substantially in foundational infrastructure.

 

Strategic Infrastructure Development:

• Airports: Upgrading Da Nang International Airport (30 million passengers/year by 2050) and transforming Chu Lai Airport into an “Aerotropolis” ($3.3 billion projected investment).
• Seaports: $1.7 billion Lien Chieu mega container port approved (5.7 million TEUs/year capacity).
• Connectivity: Planned urban railway projects (MRT and LRT) to connect Da Nang with key surrounding areas (total estimated investments exceeding 170,000 billion VND).
• Digital: A second submarine fiber-optic cable landing station expected in Q2/2026.

Niche Sector Spotlight:

• Promoting investment in high-value Medicinal Herbs, particularly Ngoc Linh ginseng, with over 15,500 hectares planned for cultivation.
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IV. Fueling Growth: Attracting Strategic Partners and Global Talent

 

Incentives for Strategic Investors (Projects ≥3,000 billion VND):

• Direct Land Access: Land can be allocated without auction or bidding processes.
• Long-Term Security: Land-use tenure can extend up to 70 years.

Incentives for Global Talent (“Destination of Knowledge”):

• Personal Income Tax (PIT): 50% reduction on income from salaries in the FTZ for 10 years.
• Work Permits: Exemption from work permit requirements for experts and highly skilled workers (employed for <12 months in the FTZ).
• Visa & Residence: Visas valid up to 5 years and temporary residence cards valid for up to 10 years (applicable to accompanying spouses and children).
• Housing Support: Financial support for rental costs, home purchases, and accommodation from the city budget.
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Commitment to Growth:

The city’s leadership has committed to a future driven by a proactive mindset: “Renew the mindset; dare to think, dare to act, and dare to take responsibility; pursue bold and creative implementation so that special mechanisms truly become drivers of development.”

 

It’s a great time to live and work in Da Nang!