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Viet Nam
Industrial Park Status
Text by Saito Hiroshi
The 46th: Provinces and Cities Actively Attracting FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) – Lam Dong Province
When manufacturing businesses expand into Vietnam, selecting an industrial park in the right region is a crucial point.
As there are provinces and cities earnestly working to attract FDI, we would like to introduce a few examples.
This time, we introduce Lam Dong Province, which now boasts one of the largest land areas in the country following its merger with Dak Nong and Binh Thuan provinces.
１．Basic Information
Capital: Da Lat
Region: Central Highlands
Area: 9,781.20 km² + 6,509.27 km² + 7,942.60 km² = 24,233.07 km²
Subdivisions: 20 wards, 103 communes, 1 special zone
Population: 1,332,530 + 670,560 + 1,252,060 = 3,255,150 people (2022)
Ethnic Groups: Kinh, K’Ho, Nung, Bahnar
Located in the mountainous area of the Central Highlands.
Famous for the cultivation of flowers, fruit trees, and vegetables; flowers are even exported to Japan.
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%A9%E3%83%A0%E3%83%89%E3%83%B3%E7%9C%81
２．Industrial Parks (IPs)
Operational Industrial Parks in Lam Dong Province after the merger:
Lam Dong Province
- Loc Son Industrial Park
- Phu Hoi Industrial Park
Former Dak Nong Province
- Tam Thang Industrial Park
- Nhan Co 1 Industrial Park
- Nhan Co 2 Industrial Park
Former Binh Thuan Province
- Phan Thiet Industrial Park
- Ham Kiem Industrial Park
- Son My Industrial Par
- Tan Duc Industrial Park
- Song Binh Industrial Park
- Tuy Phong Industrial Park
３．Characteristics of Lam Dong Province
Post-merger, it has become one of the largest provinces in Vietnam in terms of both area and population.
Known as the “City of Flowers,” various flowers bloom year-round. Due to its high average altitude, the climate is cooler than the Vietnamese average.
Former Lam Dong Region
A plateau region centered around Da Lat.
Relatively quiet with good security.
Due to climatic conditions, it is suitable for high-tech agriculture (flowers, vegetables, fruits, etc.).
Former Dak Nong Province
Located at the southwestern tip of the Central Highlands, rich in forest and mineral resources.
Agriculture is central (coffee, pepper, cashew nuts).
Mining and energy resources are also growing.
Former Binh Thuan Province
Located in the South Central Coast region, its strengths lie in marine resources and tourism (Mui Ne beach resort).
https://vietnam.vnanet.vn/english/long-form/mui-ne-beach-resort-paradise-326628.html
Fisheries, seafood processing, and tourism are strong; renewable energy projects like wind and solar power have also been increasing recently.
４．Living Environment
- Housing Situation
Former Lam Dong Region
A 1-bedroom condominium (approx. 60m²) costs about 10,000,000 VND/month (approx. 60,000 JPY).
https://www.fazwaz.vn/property-for-rent/vietnam/lam-dong
Apartments and villas are available on a weekly or monthly basis.
In Da Lat, 318 social housing units have already been completed and are in operation.
https://vietnaminsiders.com/lam-dong-to-have-thousands-of-additional-social-housing-units/
Furthermore, with projects of hundreds of units underway, the number of apartment complexes is increasing.
Former Dak Nong Province
Housing development for low-income groups and mountainous residents is in progress. New houses are planned to be supplied to about 1,800 poor households by 2025.
https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1689776/dak-nong-to-build-more-new-houses-for-the-poor-in-2025.html
A campaign to remove temporary and substandard housing is underway, aiming to eliminate old houses and popularize safe housing by the end of 2025.
https://en.vietnamplus.vn/dak-nong-strives-to-do-away-with-substandard-houses-post305005.vnp
However, in urban areas, the housing purchase and rental market is almost non-existent.
Former Binh Thuan Province
Apartments are relatively reasonable at 7,400,000 VND/month (starting from approx. 45,000 JPY).
Security in Mui Ne is generally good, but as it is a tourist area, caution against pickpockets is necessary.
Mui Ne is popular with foreigners, and English-speaking dining and services are becoming more established.
Restaurant Situation
Lam Dong Province (Mainly Da Lat):
Ichi Restaurant:
The owner and chef are Japanese. You can enjoy standard menus like teriyaki chicken, cold soba, and tempura in a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.
Ganeya Japanese Restaurant:
Features sushi and traditional Japanese cuisine prepared by a Japanese chef-owner. The modern Japanese interior with tatami and bamboo offers a setting for luxury items like Kobe beef.
https://mytour.vn/en/blog/bai-viet/discover-the-finest-japanese-restaurants-in-da-lat-lam-dong.html
Many other Japanese restaurants also exist.
Former Dak Nong Province
There are almost no Japanese restaurants.
Local gourmet options for Japanese expats:
Maison Chance Restaurant:
A calm space blending into nature where you can enjoy Central Highlands cuisine and a fusion of Western and Asian menus.
5. Living Environment
1. Housing Situation
- Former Tay Ninh Province
- The Department of Construction has recommended to the Provincial People’s Committee to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for 4 social housing projects, covering a total area of about 17.9 hectares and providing 1,570 units.
- Specifically, these include
- a 400-unit social housing project invested by Prodezi Long An Co., Ltd.; a 947-unit social housing project in Cau Tram Industrial Park; the 48-unit I-Hwa Vina worker housing project; and the 175-unit Mai Han social housing project. ● Former Long An Province
https://maison-chance.org/shop/en/maison-chance-restaurant-dak-nong/
Tuan Nghia Hill Chicken Rice Pot (Com Nieu Tuan Nghia):
Famous for clay pot rice. The interior features warm bamboo and wood.
https://vietnamreviewer.com/top-5-best-rice-restaurants-in-dak-nong/
Former Binh Thuan Province
There seem to be few prominent specialty Japanese restaurants.
Likely to suit your taste:
PIT STOP Food Court:
A beachside food court lined with multinational stalls serving seafood, international cuisine, Indian curry, pizza, etc.
Dong Vui Food Court:
Open-air and spacious. Offers a wide range of genres including Vietnamese, Asian, Western, and vegetarian menus.
Shopping Situation
Lam Dong Province
a Lat Market:
A classic staple in the center of Da Lat.
A multi-level market with thousands of shops. Items include flowers, vegetables, fruits, herbs, dried goods, handicrafts, clothing, sundries, strawberry candy, etc.
At night, it becomes a “Night Market,” perfect for street food and souvenir hunting during a night walk.
https://vietchallenge.com/Post/274/6-best-shopping-in-da-lat
Big C Supermarket (GO!):
Handles a wide range of clothing, food, and daily necessities. The largest shopping facility in the city.
Suitable for Japanese people for urgent shopping or buying winter clothes, offering a safe and convenient urban shopping experience.
https://thesmartlocal.com/vietnam/dalat/
Former Dak Nong Province
Gia Nghia Market:
A community-based market located in the city center. Rich in vegetables, fruits, local snacks, and simple sundries.
Visiting the morning market gives a real feel of local life. Convenient for procuring ingredients for home cooking.
Electronics & Furniture Emporium:
Located on Ton Duc Thang Street in Gia Nghia City. A wide selection from home appliances (Sony, LG, etc.) to kitchenware.
Although Japanese is not spoken, the staff are helpful, and the brand-zoned layout makes shopping easy.
Former Binh Thuan Province
Ham Tien Market:
Safe shopping in an indoor market. A two-story blue building; the 1st floor sells fresh food, snacks, and dried goods, while the 2nd floor sells clothing and handicrafts.
6. Restaurant Situation
1) Former Tay Ninh Province
- There are no Japanese restaurants in the former Tay Ninh province, but there are restaurants like Gogi House Tay Ninh (Korean BBQ) which offer a clean interior, a variety of set menus, and mild (less spicy) flavors.
https://vietnamdiscovery.com/mui-ne/top-lists/shopping-in-mui-ne/
Phan Thiet Central Market:
A lively experience at a local market. The province’s largest market offering local ingredients (seafood, tropical fruits), dried goods, and souvenirs like coconut candy and rice paper.
Visiting in the morning is recommended for the bustling atmosphere. It is also perfect for enjoying local street food (Banh Xeo, Goi Cuon) and experiencing local life.
https://vietnamdiscovery.com/mui-ne/top-lists/shopping-in-mui-ne/
齊藤公(Saito Hiroshi)
Business Advisor
G.A. Consultants Vietnam Co., Ltd
After graduating from university, he joined a PHP research institute and served as the head of the New York office. He then worked on the “Nagoya Port Redevelopment Project” at a subsidiary of the Chubu Nippon Broadcasting (CBC) company. He later shifted his base to Asia, where he was involved in the launch of “FM96.3” in Singapore, and the creation of “Hello Vietnam” and “Invest Asia” magazines in Vietnam. He then joined BW Industrial Development JSC, Vietnam’s largest rental factory development company, where he was responsible for attracting Japanese manufacturing companies. Currently, he is active as a consultant for the entry of Japanese companies at “G.A. Consultants”, one of the longest-standing Japanese HR consulting firms in Vietnam.
