Da Nang has set a target of at least five financial technology (FinTech) businesses with revenues over 1 trillion VND ($40 million) a year, while the Free Trade Zone is projected to contribute 17.9% of the city's gross regional domestic product.
The city's Master Plan for 2050-75, approved by the Government, reshapes the central city by merging with the former Quang Nam province. The result is one of the largest urban areas among Vietnam's six centrally governed cities, spanning 11,859.59 sq.km.
The plan, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, sets aside space for a population of up to six million and lays out a network of economically strong urban centers.
Those centers include Da Nang's downtown, the ancient town of Hoi An, Tam Ky township, the culturally rich Dien Ban town, and the logistics-focused Chu Lai open economic and industrial manufacturing zone. Chu Lai itself is expected to grow from 28,000 to 40,000 hectares in the coming decades.
Infrastructure & Logistics Hub
Da Nang is accelerating construction of an international logistics center, backed by a growing transport network that includes the Lien Chieu deep-sea port, the Tien Sa and Chu Lai ports, and the international airports in Da Nang and Chu Lai.
The planned 22-berth Lien Chieu Port is set to become a key logistics hub, linking north-south rail and road networks with East-West Economic Corridor 2, which connects Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam through Da Nang's port system. It's expected to operate as an international gateway port, the country's third after Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong and Cai Mep-Thi Vai.
The city has also proposed a 10 billion USD investment to upgrade Chu Lai International Airport to keep pace with demand from tourism, investment, and logistics growth through 2050.
Tourism & Cultural Heritage
The merged city is also expected to lean harder on tourism and culture as economic drivers. It's home to globally recognized sites including the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary, the Cham Islands-Hoi An World Biosphere Reserve, and the Ma Nhai cliff inscription collection at Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains), inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register for Asia and the Pacific.
Environmental Conservation
The expanded Da Nang now covers around 500,000 hectares of protected natural areas across national parks and nature reserves. These include conservation programs for two critically endangered species, the saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) and the grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea), plus endangered species such as the red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).
International Financial Centre
Authorities have launched Vietnam's International Financial Centre in Da Nang (IFC Da Nang) and are moving ahead with a free trade zone aimed at drawing global investment into high-tech industries, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
Twelve organizations and financial institutions have already joined IFC Da Nang as members, including Makara Capital Vietnam Holding, Bybit Technology Vietnam, Da Nang Fintech Lab, Siglaw IFC, DTC Pay Vietnam, APEX Vietnam IFC Services, Valverde Investment Partners, Misa Novafinx, and Remi Tech.
Memoranda of understanding have also been signed with Newtechco Group, Deutsche Bank Vietnam, United Overseas Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Terne Holdings, TMC Academy Singapore, Yuan Ze University in Taiwan, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and the Vietnam Blockchain Association, all aimed at building the skilled workforce the IFC will need.
Administrative Structure
Under the Government decision establishing the new administrative unit, the merged city will comprise 94 local administrative units: 23 wards, 70 communes, and a special administrative zone covering the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands.
The new Da Nang has already attracted 30.6 billion USD in total registered investment across domestic and foreign direct investment projects.