Haiphong

Approximately 100 kilometers from the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, Haiphong is Northern Vietnam's main deepwater and the third most populous city in Vietnam. It is also a highly industrialized city that is in the process of modernizing much of its infrastructure. Haiphong has an area of 1,507 square kilometers and a population of about 1.8 million people.

Developed sea transportation in Haiphong is one of main driving forces of the northern economic region, which includes seven cities and provinces: Hanoi, Haiphong, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Vinh Phuc and Bac Ninh.

One of five centrally-controlled cities in Vietnam, Haiphong contributes greatly to the country's budget. It currently ranks fourth after Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Hanoi. In 2006, the city contributed VND9.7 trillion; in 2007, VND12 trillion and in 2008, Haiphong contributed VND24 trillion.

With regards to attracting foreign direct investment, by the end of June 2009, Haiphong attracted 301 projects with the total registered capital of US$4.28 billion. And while this figure put  Haiphong 10th for FDI out of all cities and provinces nationwide, in the Red River Delta the city ranked second behind only Hanoi for attracting foreign investment.

Haiphong now has four universities and 10 colleges which provide hundreds of skilled laborers for companies and organizations operating in Haiphong and its surrounding areas.

 Transportation

Air: The Cat Bi airport in Haiphong is currently being used for domestic flights connecting with Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, and an international route to Macau. An upgrading project of Cat Bi into a fully integrated international airport is underway.

Sea: Haiphong port is one of biggest seaports in Vietnam with a length of 12 kilometers and a capacity of over 15 million tons per year which is expected to increase to around 30 million tons in 2010. Nearly all goods and raw materials coming into or leaving Northern Vietnam pass through Haiphong, the only port of importance in Northern Vietnam. An urgent rehabilitation program for the existing Haiphong seaport is now being implemented. In addition, a new and modern international deep seaport will be constructed as part of the Dinh Vu Industrial Zone development.

Inland waterways: Northern Vietnam has an extensive network of navigable inland waterways linking various provinces, important towns and river ports. The waterways contribute 40 percent towards the overall transportation system in Northern Vietnam with Haiphong as their nerve center.

Rail: Hanoi-Haiphong-Lao Cai-Kunming, the international railway line between Vietnam and Southern China, has been revitalized. The historic Hanoi-Beijing line is fully operational.

Road: The main roads running through and connecting Haiphong to key destinations are:

• Hanoi-Haiphong Highway
• National Road 5A: linking Hanoi and Hai Duong Province
• National Road No. 10: linking Quang Ninh in the North and the provinces of Thai Binh, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh in the South

 Industrial parks in Haiphong

According to the development plan for 2020, Haiphong will become an industrial city with 13 industrial parks with a total land area of 2,400 ha. However, Haiphong adjusted this plan by itself in order to develop 33 industrial parks and one traditional industrial village group with a total land area of over 4,616 hectares, most of which are of a small size.

There are seven industrial parks of medium and large scale in Haiphong including Do Son-Haiphong, Dinh Vu, Nomura, An Duong, Nam Cau Kien, Trang Cat High Technology and Trang Due. The industrial parks Do Son-Haiphong, Dinh Vu and Nomura were the first to be established in Haiphong and as a result, are now almost fully occupied. An Duong, Nam Cau Kien, Trang Cat High Technology and Trang Due have all been established over the past three years.