Behind the story of developing Vietnam’s first Free Trade Zone (FTZ) lies a notable shift in development thinking. Private enterprises are no longer positioned at the end of the value chain as mere investors; they are increasingly involved from the earliest stages of research, resource mobilization, and laying the groundwork for new growth drivers. KITA Group’s participation in Da Nang FTZ 2026 is a prime example of this emerging trend.
A Successful FTZ Requires More Than a Master Plan
At the seminar “Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Development Models – Global Experiences and the Vietnamese Context,” domestic and international experts shared valuable insights into the formation and development of successful FTZs around the world. A common theme emerged: the success of an FTZ depends not only on planning and infrastructure but also on the ability to establish a synchronized development ecosystem, where logistics, industry, commerce, technology, and urban development are interconnected through a long-term strategic vision.
The seminar “Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Development Models – Global Experiences and the Vietnamese Context” provided extensive insights into the development journeys of successful FTZs worldwide
If an FTZ is essentially a framework for building a new growth ecosystem, this is also the perspective KITA Group has adopted in its involvement in the research and development of the Da Nang FTZ.
According to agreements reached at the seminar, KITA Group will participate in research, development planning, investment promotion, and investment preparation for Subzone No. 6 (VT6) and Subzone No. 7 (VT7) within the Da Nang Free Trade Zone. VT6, covering approximately 154 hectares, is envisioned as a commercial, service, and logistics hub serving as the FTZ’s central support and logistics center. VT7, spanning approximately 401 hectares, is designated for science and technology, the digital economy, and innovation, serving as a long-term growth engine for the Da Nang FTZ.
In this process, KITA Group will act as a strategic research coordinator, connecting domestic and international partners and consulting firms to propose suitable development models for the Da Nang FTZ. The company’s vision extends beyond the development of individual subzones. Instead, it aims to integrate VT6 and VT7 with the Lien Chieu Port ecosystem, logistics networks, industrial zones, commercial-service areas, and the urban development corridor in northwestern Da Nang, including the Golden Hills urban area. This integrated economic-urban structure is expected to provide a solid foundation for the sustainable growth of the Da Nang FTZ in the future.
Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Nguyen Duy Kien, Chairman of the Founding Council of KITA Group, stated that following the expansion of its development space, Da Nang now possesses rare advantages to become a regional hub for the marine economy, logistics, high technology, and innovation in Central Vietnam.
“We highly appreciate Da Nang’s vision and aspire to become a long-term partner of the city, DSEZA, and international stakeholders in researching, developing, and attracting investment into the FTZ. Together, we can help build a modern economic ecosystem that integrates seaports, logistics, technology, and urban development,” Mr. Nguyen Duy Kien shared.
When Enterprises Are No Longer at the End of the Development Chain
In the past, businesses typically entered the picture after planning had been completed and investment opportunities had already been established. Today, however, the private sector is becoming increasingly involved in the research, preparation, and resource mobilization processes behind new development models.
For KITA Group, participation in the Da Nang FTZ research initiative is not merely driven by an investment opportunity. More importantly, the FTZ’s development structure shares many similarities with the ecosystem-building approach the company has been pursuing.
Representatives of KITA Group, the Da Nang High-Tech Park and Industrial Zones Authority, and strategic partners signed a cooperation agreement to research potential locations within the Da Nang Free Trade Zone
Fundamentally, an FTZ is a development model built upon connectivity. This has also been the cornerstone of KITA Group’s development strategy for many years. The company’s strengths extend beyond its land bank and urban development expertise. Equally significant is the way its business expansion over the years has created a structure closely aligned with the core components of a modern FTZ: urban development, infrastructure, logistics, commerce, international connectivity, and supporting services.
For many years, businesses have been viewed primarily as participants in economic growth. Yet the story of the Da Nang FTZ suggests that a new role is gradually emerging. Enterprises are no longer merely investing in growth drivers; they are actively participating in the creation of those drivers from the very beginning.
From this perspective, KITA Group’s presence in the Da Nang FTZ is more than a story of a company researching a new development area. It reflects the company’s commitment to partnering with local authorities not only in attracting investment but also in building the foundations for future growth. Perhaps this represents one of the most important roles that the private sector can play in the next stage of Vietnam’s economic development.
