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When manufacturing industries expand into Vietnam, choosing the right industrial park in a province actively pursuing foreign direct investment (FDI) is crucial. I would like to introduce a few examples of such provinces. This time, I will introduce the situation in Ha Nam Province.
Ha Nam Province is situated in the Red River Delta region of northern Vietnam. The provincial capital, Phu Ly, is 59 kilometers south of central Hanoi (about an hour by highway) and approximately 90 minutes by car from Noi Bai International Airport. The province covers an area of 860.5 km², making it one of the smallest provinces in Vietnam, with a population of around 790,000.
Industrial Parks in Ha Nam Province
Currently, Ha Nam Province has nine industrial parks:
Dong Van I Industrial Park,
Dong Van II Industrial Park,
Dong Van III Industrial Park,
Dong Van IV Industrial Park,
Hoa Mac Industrial Park,
Chau Son Industrial Park,
Thanh Liem Industrial Park,
Thai Ha Industrial Park,
Kim Bang Industrial Park.
Ha Nam Province is focused on attracting Japanese manufacturing companies, with Dong Van III Industrial Park having signed an MOU with Kanagawa Prefecture and bearing the name “Kanagawa Industrial Park.” Companies from Kanagawa that move into this industrial park can benefit from preferential measures such as rent and management fee reductions. Dong Van III is one of six government-recognized “Supporting Industrial Parks” nationwide, concentrating on attracting supporting industries and high-tech product manufacturing. The Ha Nam government collaborates with Kanagawa to hold seminars in Japan to attract manufacturing businesses and has set up a Japan Desk with Japanese staff on-site.
Major Japanese manufacturers in Ha Nam include Honda and Showa Denko (in Dong Van II), Fuji Electric, and YKK (in Dong Van III), along with many small and medium-sized enterprises. Particularly, industries such as rubber and plastics have faced challenges with stricter waste regulations, making it difficult to obtain environmental licenses, but in Ha Nam, it is sometimes achievable, which is advantageous for companies in these sectors. Companies considering expansion are encouraged to consult directly with industrial parks or expansion consultants.
The Japanese real estate conglomerate “Fuji Group” has invested 100% in the Japanese service apartment “FAMILLE HA NAM,” located within the Dong Van Industrial Park. The facility is equipped with amenities such as a “pool, BBQ area,” “tennis and futsal courts,” “bath facilities (with sauna),” “golf driving range,” “rental offices,” and “leisure buildings,” providing a comfortable living environment for expatriates. Additionally, “FAMILLE HA NAM” has rental offices available, which can be used as temporary offices until local companies are established.
Ha Nam Province is not only actively attracting Japanese companies (especially in supporting industries) but also sees significant private investment outside of industrial parks, making it a noteworthy area expected to develop further. Moreover, as mentioned, the living conditions for expatriates, such as housing, are well established, allowing for considerable cost savings compared to living in major cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
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.
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