Ten years on, 150-hectare central Vietnam business park awaits traders

Established more than 10 years ago, the 150-hectare Quang Vinh Industrial Park in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue remains a vast area of white sand.

In 2013, the provincial People’s Committee approved a detailed plan for construction of the 130-hectare Quang Vinh Industrial Park in Quang Vinh commune, Quang Dien district.

It was set to be a comprehensive IP that prioritizes the development of agricultural and aquatic product processing, animal feed processing, light and clean industries.

In 2023, the provincial People’s Council approved adjustments to the IP’s 1/500 plan. Accordingly, the IP would cover 150 hectares and focus on multi-industry development, prioritizing industries using green, clean and advanced technology, light industries, and supporting industries and services.

The Quang Vinh IP was expected to provide the Quang Dien district – a purely agricultural locality in Thua Thien-Hue, a socio-economic fillip.

In 2017-2018, the district people’s committee allocated VND2 billion ($80,072) to clear 14 hectares of land in a futile bid to attract investment.

As such, the 150 hectares of land set aside for the project remains a large sand field, with tombs yet to be relocated and the people’s farms and acacia plantations still standing.

According to the economic-infrastructure division of Quang Dien district, the Quang Vinh IP faces many difficulties in attracting investment. Several investors who should interest in the project could not follow up for various reasons. The geographical location of Quang Dien district, a low-lying are, far from seaports, is said to be a major obstacle.

Le Ngoc Bao, chairman of the district people’s committee, said that the lack of infrastructure was another factor that made it difficult to attract investors.

“In the current context, the district people’s committee has proposed that the provincial People’s Committee, the Economic and Industrial Zones Authority, and the Trade-Investment Promotion and Enterprise Support Center support the industrial park in attracting infrastructure investors,” he said.