Da Nang
Vietnam's first FTZ model (2024)—#1 in digital transformation (21% digital GRDP), 521 tech projects ($3.66B), Marvell/Synopsys semiconductor cluster.
Da Nang became Vietnam's first free trade zone when the National Assembly authorized linking Lien Chieu Port to a special economic regime. The city ranked top nationally for digital transformation in 2024; the digital economy contributed 20.96% to GRDP (versus 16.5% national average), targeting 35–40% by 2030. "Most Livable City" and Smart City 2025 awards crowned a year of infrastructure advancement.
High-tech zones house 521 projects totaling $3.66 billion—396 domestic, 125 FDI. Nearly 70 semiconductor firms including Marvell, Synopsys, and FPT Semiconductor cluster around Da Nang Software Park No. 2's Lab-Fab advanced packaging facility (VND 1,800 billion initial investment). The city aims to lead Southeast Asia in semiconductor chip design and AI applications by 2030.
Trade turnover reached $1.76 billion in H1 2025 (up 10.9%); international tourism arrivals grew 20% over 2023. The economic structure balances three pillars: tourism, high-tech industries, and marine economy. StartupBlink ranked Da Nang among the global top 1,000 startup ecosystems for the first time in 2024 (896th overall, 22nd in Southeast Asia). By 2026, Da Nang tests whether Vietnam's first FTZ model can accelerate the semiconductor strategy.