Special Land Policies

To implement and refine the pilot mechanism and policy framework for the Van Don Economic Zone, the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee has tasked the Quang Ninh Economic Zone Authority to lead and coordinate with relevant departments to develop a set of mechanisms and policies for strategic investors and their projects. This includes establishing criteria for identifying and listing strategic investors, prioritizing the selection of investors for specific projects, and offering special incentives for certain projects undertaken by strategic investors.​

The Quang Ninh Economic Zone Authority is also responsible for developing specific mechanisms and policies for the Van Don Economic Zone, such as issuing casino business licenses to strategic investors without requiring a minimum investment of USD 2 billion and limiting the number of strategic investors to no more than 2–3.​

Van Don Economic Zone proposed special mechanisms and policies.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Ninh Province is tasked with leading and advising on the development of land-related policies within the Van Don Economic Zone. This includes proposing the expansion of cases where the State can reclaim land, identifying beneficiaries eligible for land use fee exemptions or reductions, and determining cases where land can be allocated without auction.​

These special land policies are applicable to high-tech investors, large-scale investors in commerce, finance, tourism, and investors in laboratories, research and development centers, and innovation hubs. Additionally, certain strategic projects may have their land use terms extended upon expiration. Investment projects during implementation will undergo concurrent procedures related to land (planning, land use plans, land allocation or leasing), construction (project formulation, appraisal, approval), and licensing (investment certification, construction permits) to shorten implementation timeframes.​

However, the special land policies will also consider proposing regulations that limit the land occupancy rate of investors from a single country to no more than 30% of the total area within the Van Don Economic Zone.​

The Department of Agriculture and Environment is also assigned to develop marine economy policies, including proposing mechanisms to enhance local authorities' authority in allocating sea areas, licensing aquaculture activities, and supplementing preferential policies in sectors utilizing marine areas.​

Establishment of Free Trade Zone

The Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee has assigned the Department of Finance to lead and coordinate with relevant departments to develop financial and banking policies. This includes proposing mechanisms to increase the proportion of budget revenue from local internal sources allocated to the Van Don Economic Zone.​

Notably, the Department of Finance is also responsible for developing mechanisms and policies for establishing and managing a Free Trade Zone within the Van Don Economic Zone. This entails researching streamlined procedures for establishing the Free Trade Zone, developing specific policies for its operation, and defining management authority within the zone.​

The Quang Ninh Provincial Police Department is tasked with leading and advising on visa exemption policies for Van Don. Specifically, they will propose visa exemption policies for foreigners and Vietnamese nationals holding foreign passports entering and residing in the Van Don Economic Zone for a period not exceeding 30 days. For investors and experts involved in foreign-invested projects or domestic projects with foreign participation, Vietnamese nationals holding foreign passports will be exempted from visas for the duration of the project as specified in the investment license. In cases where foreigners enter through an international border gate in Vietnam (including by air or sea) and only transit through that area before proceeding to the Van Don Economic Zone, they will also be eligible for visa exemptions under this regulation. However, if individuals exempted from visas under this policy leave Van Don to enter other localities in Vietnam, they must obtain a visa as per regulations.​

The Department of Home Affairs is assigned to lead and coordinate with relevant departments to develop policies regarding the organizational structure of Van Don's local government. This includes proposing a one-tier urban government model without a People's Council (with the provincial People's Council overseeing supervision) and delegating all provincial-level duties and certain central ministry responsibilities.​

Additionally, the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee has tasked the Provincial Inspectorate with leading and advising on special policies for the Van Don Economic Zone in the field of inspection and supervision. This aims to encourage and protect dynamic, creative officials who dare to think, act, and take responsibility for the common good.

The Quang Ninh Economic Zone Authority is responsible for consolidating and drafting the pilot mechanism and policy framework for the development of the Van Don Economic Zone. It is expected that the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee will convene a meeting to review and provide feedback on the draft proposal before March 10, 2025.

Source: vneconomy.vn