Proposal to expand the free trade zone linked to Long Thanh Airport

To ensure sufficient space for functional subzones, the consultancy unit responsible for drafting the Master Plan Adjustment of Dong Nai province for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050, has proposed expanding the scale of the free trade zone (FTZ) associated with Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai province (Long Thanh FTZ).

The consultancy unit responsible for drafting the Master Plan Adjustment of Dong Nai province for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050 proposes expanding the scale of the Long Thanh FTZ. Photo: Pham Tung

Proposal for eight key functional subzones

According to the proposed development plan, the Long Thanh FTZ is envisioned as a modern, world-class free trade zone capable of promoting trade and knowledge-based services in the region. It is also expected to become an integrated, multi-sector development hub that enhances logistics capacity, manufacturing and services through targeted incentive mechanisms.

Based on this orientation, in the draft Master Plan Adjustment of Dong Nai province for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050, representatives of the consortium comprising The Boston Consulting Group company limited (BCG) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, the planning consultancy unit, proposed the formation of eight key functional subzones for the Long Thanh FTZ.

Specifically, Subzone 1, the Long Thanh Aviation Services Center, would include aircraft MRO services (maintenance, repair and operations) and aviation logistics, including catering services and cargo and baggage handling. Subzone 2, the Long Thanh New Commercial and Business Center, would serve as a shared-services hub for finance and human resources, combined with MICE facilities (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and duty-free shopping areas.

Subzone 3, the Advanced Manufacturing Center oriented toward the “factory of the future” model, would include technology-driven, highly automated plants focusing on high-tech sectors such as electronics, semiconductors and robotics. Subzone 4, the Advanced Logistics Center for Southeast Asia, would comprise bonded warehouses applying robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), along with specialized cargo storage facilities.

Notably, Subzone 5 is proposed as the Long Thanh Education City. This multi-institutional subzone, involving international universities, corporations and enterprises, would focus on technical education, digital technology and business. Subzone 6, the Innovation Hub, would include specialized research and development laboratories for robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles and aerospace, as well as testing and prototyping zones for new technologies, including UAVs.

The remaining two subzones would be directly associated with aviation-related functions. Subzone 7, the Aviation Training Center, would include aviation academies and training programs for pilots, aircraft maintenance and repair, unmanned aircraft operations and airport services. Subzone 8, the Aerospace Manufacturing Center, would focus on the production of aircraft components and supporting industries linked to MRO activities, serving original equipment manufacturers as well as Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers in the aerospace sector.

Regarding industry clusters within the Long Thanh FTZ, the consultancy unit proposed five key fields, including logistics; high-tech manufacturing; business services and innovation; aviation services and specialized training; and trade and tourism.

Expansion of the Long Thanh FTZ area

According to Truong Thi Huong Binh, member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Director of the Department of Finance, in order to enhance the competitiveness of Long Thanh Airport, in recent years Dong Nai province has developed a plan to establish a free trade zone (FTZ) covering nearly 7,500 hectares in and around Long Thanh Airport. This includes more than 6,000 hectares from the two industrial parks of Bau Can–Tan Hiep and Xuan Que–Song Nhan.

At a working session with the provincial People’s Committee in late January 2026 to report on the progress of the Master Plan Adjustment of Dong Nai Province for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050, representatives of BCG proposed expanding the scale of the Long Thanh FTZ beyond the size currently under study. Under the proposal, the Long Thanh FTZ would cover between 8,000 and 10,000 hectares. According to the consultancy unit, the expansion would provide additional space to accommodate Subzones 4, 7 and 8 in the northeastern area of Long Thanh Airport. It would also allow for the expansion of certain activities, particularly the formation of a high-tech education-oriented urban area for aerospace and the development of a large-scale MICE center within the Long Thanh FTZ.

In response to the proposal, at the same working session, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Ut agreed to report to the Provincial Party Standing Committee on the proposal to expand the Long Thanh FTZ to approximately 10,000 hectares.

According to Chairman Nguyen Van Ut, with the current planning scale, which already includes the areas of both industrial parks, it would be difficult to allocate sufficient space for all functional subzones as proposed by the consultancy. Given that the Long Thanh FTZ holds national-level significance, expanding its scale would help meet the requirements for establishing key functional subzones.

By Pham Tung – Translated by Thu Hien, Thu Ha