Designated as one of the nation's eight key coastal economic zones—and holding a geostrategic position of vital importance for both socio-economic development and national defense—the Nghi Son Economic Zone (EZ) consistently receives special attention from central ministries, agencies, and Thanh Hoa Province regarding investment in synchronized, modern infrastructure. This serves as a solid foundation for the zone to increasingly assert its strong appeal to domestic and foreign investors, establishing itself as a primary "driving force" that propels Thanh Hoa toward becoming a new growth pole for the entire country.
Fervent construction activity at key sites
In late April 2026, despite the scorching heat, the atmosphere at the construction sites for the project connecting the North-South Expressway and National Highway 1A to Nghi Son Port remained incredibly urgent and vibrant. Officials, engineers, and workers remained dedicated to their posts, implementing a "three-shift, four-crew" work schedule and striving for outstanding achievements to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.
Mr. Ngo Van Thong, a construction engineer with Thanh Hoa Bridge Construction Joint Stock Company, stated: "On the handed-over site areas, our company has prioritized the maximum mobilization of manpower, materials, and specialized machinery. We are deploying multiple simultaneous work fronts to urgently complete assigned tasks, thereby contributing to the province's public investment disbursement goals. Although the recent sharp rise in fuel and construction material prices has created significant pressure, the team is determined not to let the project fall behind schedule".
Mr. Nguyen Viet Khoi, Head of the Technical and Appraisal Division at the Nghi Son Construction Investment Project Management Board, added that the project connecting the North-South Expressway and National Highway 1A to Nghi Son Port holds special strategic significance. It establishes an external transport link connecting directly to National Highway 1 and the North-South Expressway, thereby reducing travel time between the province's western districts and the Nghi Son Economic Zone. The Management Board has deployed additional staff and engineers to the site to direct and closely supervise every project component; coordinated with relevant agencies and local authorities to promptly resolve arising difficulties and obstacles; and mobilized public consensus to expedite site clearance, enabling contractors to accelerate construction progress.
The project comprises two routes: Route 1 is Provincial Road 512 (the section from National Highway 1 to the Tho Xuan – Nghi Son Road), spanning 10.3 km and passing through Nghi Son Town and Nong Cong District; Route 2 is the Nghi Son – Bai Tranh Road (the section from Ho Bridge to the North-South Expressway interchange), spanning 3 km within Nghi Son Town. As of the end of April 2026, contractors had essentially completed the roadbed and foundation, the drainage system, and five out of the seven bridges along the route, achieving approximately 57% of the total workload. The project is scheduled for completion in June 2027. Upon completion, the route will create a seamless connection linking the North-South Expressway and the Nghi Son – Tho Xuan Road with Tho Xuan Airport and Nghi Son Seaport, opening up vast development opportunities for the entire region.
With that same sense of urgency and determination, the project to upgrade and expand the North-South 1B and North-South 2 roads within the Nghi Son Economic Zone—funded by the central budget—has reached nearly 20% completion by mid-April 2026, following the start of construction in October 2025. Capitalizing on favorable dry-season weather, the contractor has mobilized multiple simultaneous work fronts: widening the median strip (covering 7.3 out of the 10 km route length), laying black-base asphalt, installing curbs, and constructing integrated stormwater and wastewater drainage systems. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2026, helping to enhance transport capacity and the flow of goods while creating a visual landmark and a modern, professional investment environment within the Nghi Son Economic Zone.
"A Land That Attracts Success" – Nghi Son Draws Major Capital Flows
Persistent efforts to invest in infrastructure—particularly comprehensive transport networks—have played a pivotal role in transforming the Nghi Son Economic Zone into a “magnet” for major investors. Numerous key projects across sectors such as heavy industry, seaport operations, and energy have taken root and flourished in this high-potential region, making significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Thanh Hoa Province and the North Central Coast region.
A prime example is the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex. With a total investment of nearly US$9.3 billion—ranking among the largest foreign-invested projects in Vietnam—it contributes trillions VND annually to the province's state budget revenue. Nghi Son Seaport, a national general-purpose port, handles millions of tons of cargo around the clock, effectively meeting the import-export demands of the economic zone and the wider region. Furthermore, large-scale industrial projects—such as the Nghi Son Steel Rolling Plant, Nghi Son Cement Plant, and Nghi Son 1 and 2 Thermal Power Plants—have fundamentally transformed the local landscape and created stable employment for tens of thousands of local workers.
For the 2026–2030 period, Thanh Hoa Province aims to attract a total investment of approximately VND 890,035 billion. The Nghi Son Economic Zone and the province's industrial parks are identified as key "growth engines," projected to account for over 40% of the province's total investment attraction. This serves as vivid proof of the confidence and high expectations that both the central government and Thanh Hoa Province place in this strategic region.
Looking confidently toward the future
With an increasingly complete and integrated transport infrastructure system, and the decisive, committed involvement of the entire political system, the Nghi Son Economic Zone is proudly asserting its position as a key economic engine for Thanh Hoa Province. This represents a crucial strategic step toward realizing the aspiration of transforming Thanh Hoa into a new growth pole—standing alongside Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh to form a northern development quadrilateral, in accordance with the spirit of Resolution No. 58-NQ/TW (dated August 5, 2020) of the Politburo—and enabling the province to stand firm as the nation rises powerfully in the new era.