Hai Duong city is well-situated in the Tonkin’s key zone, within the economic triangle of Hanoi – Hai phong – Quang Ninh; it is also located between the corridors of Kunming – Lao Cai – Quang Ninh and Nanning – Lang Son – Quang Ninh, and very close to the sea belt of Gulf of Tonkin
In 1997, Hai Duong province was re-established and its town was recognized as a city. At that time, the city had 13 communes and wards with the total area of 3626 ha, and its population was only around 144,000 people. Its economy was mostly based on industries, home crafts (47%), services (45%), agriculture and aquaculture (8%). However, as their scales were still small, the total income was only 17 billion VND. With the average income of about 600 USD/person/year, the people lived in low conditions.
Dai An industrial site project (phase 1) with the area of over 193 ha was approved in 2003. In 2007, the zone expanded by 474 ha, providing working places and accommodations for experts and workers.
Constructed uniformly and modernly, the zone’s technical infrastructure ensures excellent services and an environment-friendly area as well as provides good human resources for investors. Thanks to this, more investors are being attracted to Dai An. Before 2007, there were 24 foreign invested projects with the total amount of 346 million USD. In 2008, despite negative effects of the global economic crisis, Dai An still attracted 8 projects with the total investment of 92 million USD. In 2009, there were 4 more of 113.3 million USD. Up to now, there have been 36 projects of 549 million USD in Dai An, which creates jobs for nearly 13,000 people. Sixteen out of 36 projects have had factories that come into operation, 10 others are building up factories, and the rest are working on the documents for investment permits.
Today in Hai Duong city, there are 3 effective industrial complexes: Dai An, Nam Sach and Kenmark. With the total area of nearly 1,000 ha, they have attracted hundreds of enterprises inside and outside the country. Remarkably, Ford Vietnam Ltd.,Co. contributed to the national budget more than 1,000 billion VND just in 2008, equal to more than 30% of the total income of the whole province, and created jobs for 700 local residents. Apart from these zones, other industrial complexes for average and small-scale enterprises have also been on the plan, such as Cam Thuong (50 ha), Dong Lac (100 ha) and Thach Khoi (70 ha).
In paralel with this, Hai Duong city also develops master plans on upgrading the city and building up new urban centres with great constructions, such as 30-10 Square, the 52-metre road connecting centers in the East and West, shopping malls, 4-star hotels, and Pearl Island (Dao Ngoc) eco-resort, etc. Promoting urbanization and attracting investment to industial sites and complexes during the last few years not only renew the appearance of the city but also create many jobs for the people. In 2008, the city’s economic structure shifted towards industrialization and modernization with industries and construction for 56.7%, services 38.5%, agriculture and aquaculture 4.8%. The economic growth reached nearly 14%, production was almost 5,000 billion VND, and there were about 1,400 enterprises and more than 15,000 household economies. The total income of the city was over 1,800 billion VND, and the average income was around 1,400 USD/per se/year.
According to the Decision 616/QD-TTg issued on May 15th, 2009, Hai Duong is recognized as a city under the provincial authorities with total area of over 7,318 ha and population of nearly 254,000 people. Before that, on May 5, 2008, in Decision 490/QD-TTg, Hai Duong city was stated to be the provincial urban centre which focused on developing light and hi-tech industries, and supporting the development of the processing industries in the south and southeast areas of the Red River Delta. This enables exchange between the city and Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and other provinces in the Delta.
