Quang Tri prioritizes economic diplomacy in new context

In recent years, Quang Tri Province has taken a proactive and flexible approach to foreign affairs in response to evolving realities. Economic diplomacy has played a leading role in mobilizing external resources, enhancing local capacity, competitiveness, and adaptability, thereby making a significant contribution to the province’s socio-economic development.

In the first six months of 2025, the decline in international investment and global market volatility posed challenges for attracting foreign capital and boosting exports in Quang Tri Province. However, the province proactively implemented responsive measures while leveraging opportunities from free trade agreements and strategic partnerships to promote socio-economic development.

Quang Tri aims to achieve a GRDP growth rate of 8% in 2025, with industry and construction growing by 12%, services by 7.5%, and agriculture by 3.5%. Total realized investment in the province during the first three months reached nearly US$184 million, up 7.88% compared to the same period last year. Of this, foreign direct investment (FDI) accounted for over US$4 million, marking an increase of nearly 28%. At the same time, the province continued to implement programs in social welfare, education, and healthcare, and actively promoted sustainable poverty reduction and improvements in living standards.

Recognizing foreign affairs as a key task to support socio-economic development, Quang Tri Province, in the first half of 2025, seriously and comprehensively carried out directives, resolutions, and action programs from the central government, as well as provincial plans to strengthen economic diplomacy in the context of accelerating industrialization and modernization.

These efforts helped raise awareness and responsibility among Party committees, authorities, agencies, units, and businesses regarding international integration and the effective implementation of economic diplomacy. The province actively promoted the importance of investment, trade, and tourism promotion activities and provided support to enterprises, highlighting their role in sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Alongside improving the quality of foreign affairs activities, the province prioritized economic diplomacy as a core focus to attract investment. It also proactively promoted the image, potential, and advantages of Quang Tri to both domestic and international audiences. Notably, cooperative ties with major corporations and enterprises at home and abroad have expanded in a more substantive and effective manner.

The province also intensified external economic activities through meetings and promotional events involving provincial leaders and multinational corporations, as well as FDI enterprises. Authorities engaged in dialogue and resolved concerns raised by foreign businesses and individuals.

Currently, Quang Tri hosts 29 active FDI projects with total registered capital of approximately US$2.83 billion. Among these, 24 projects are operational, providing regular employment for over 2,000 workers.

Notable projects include Phase 1 of the Hai Lang LNG Power Center developed by a consortium of Vietnamese and South Korean investors, including T&T Group, Hanwha Energy Corporation, Korea Southern Power Co. (KOSPO), and Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), with an investment of US$2.317 billion. Another project is the Quang Tri Industrial Park jointly developed by Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park JV Company, Amata Bien Hoa Urban Joint Stock Company, and Sumitomo Corporation, with an investment of US$88.26 million.

Overall, FDI projects in the province are being implemented in accordance with approved plans, contributing to the growing vibrancy of Quang Tri’s investment environment.

Regarding ODA mobilization, in 2025, Quang Tri will implement 10 ODA-funded projects with total allocated capital exceeding US$40.2 million. This includes central government foreign capital of over US$26.2 million, relending foreign capital of over US$6.3 million, local counterpart funding of over US$5.9 million, and central government counterpart funding of over US$1.7 million.

In addition, the province issued and implemented its 2025 plan for mobilizing non-governmental aid. Provincial authorities and local agencies have actively sought out, signed, and implemented new NGO projects. In the first half of 2025, the province mobilized 25 new NGO projects and non-project grants, focusing on post-war mine clearance, socio-economic development, and sustainable poverty reduction.

Most of these NGO programs and projects have delivered positive results, especially in areas such as support for people with disabilities, post-war recovery, education and training, and healthcare. These efforts have contributed meaningfully to socio-economic development, social welfare, and political stability in the province.

To better integrate into the international economy, particularly in the context of reorganizing the provincial foreign affairs apparatus under the administrative restructuring plan and the shift to a two-tier local government model, Quang Tri’s foreign affairs agenda in the remaining months of 2025 focuses on swiftly stabilizing its structure, adapting quickly to new circumstances, and accelerating foreign economic cooperation and FDI attraction.

The province also plans to organize outbound investment promotion programs, particularly in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand—countries with strengths in energy, logistics, and processing technology. Priority will be given to attracting investment in the Southeastern Quang Tri Economic Zone, My Thuy Port, wind and solar power projects, logistics services, warehousing, and transportation at La Lay International Border Gate.

Quang Tri is also strengthening connections with businesses along the East–West Economic Corridor and maximizing the role of Lao Bao International Border Gate. The province is striving to become a regional logistics hub by 2030.

In 2025, Quang Tri Province is set to implement foreign affairs through a variety of flexible methods and solutions to ensure effectiveness and quality, with a strong focus on economic and cultural diplomacy as well as the mobilization of non-governmental aid. The province will accelerate digital transformation and continue to participate in and successfully organize major international forums and conferences through multiple formats.

At the same time, the province will strengthen close coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad to leverage connections with localities and host countries in support of socio-economic development, contributing to the improvement of both material and spiritual living standards for the local population.

Thu Ha - Ngoc Mai