Nearly VND 200 Trillion in Investment Committed to Lai Chau

This is a flagship initiative aimed at promoting the image, potential, and business environment of Lai Chau Province, while strengthening connections between the locality and ministries, central agencies, international organizations, and the domestic and foreign business communities.

The event holds profound significance, contributing to the realization of goals, targets, and tasks in the spirit of the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party and the Resolution of the 15th Provincial Party Congress. It aims toward a double-digit economic growth rate during the 2026-2030 period, positioning Lai Chau as a medium-developed province in the Northern Midland and Mountainous region by 2030.

At the conference, Lai Chau introduced the adjusted Provincial Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. The province provided development orientations, preferential mechanisms, and a portfolio of key projects prioritizing capital mobilization. This demonstrated the province's proactive and receptive spirit in listening to experts and investors to build a facilitating and action-oriented government.

Activating the "Green Lane" Mechanism to Attract Capital Flows

Lai Chau is a mountainous province in the Northwest of the country, occupying a strategic position in terms of national defense, security, and national border sovereignty. It possesses a natural area of over 9,068 square kilometers, majestic natural landscapes, a diverse climate, and vast primary forests. Sharing a 265.165-kilometer border with Yunnan Province (China), Lai Chau holds a pivotal strategic position in connecting trade between Lao Cai, Son La, and Dien Bien provinces, as well as Vietnam's key northern economic zones, with Southwest China.

Currently, the regional transport infrastructure system is receiving significant investment and implementation. Key projects include the road tunnel through Hoang Lien Pass and the Bao Ha-Lai Chau Expressway (CT.13) connecting Ma Lu Thang International Border Gate (Vietnam) with Jinshuihe (China). Once completed, these will help Lai Chau shorten travel times to the capital city of Hanoi, key economic zones across the country, and international markets.

Thanks to its distinctive subtropical climate, ideal soil conditions, a vast agricultural land fund accounting for 74.51% of its natural area, a forest cover rate of 53.88%, and specific high-altitude climatic conditions, Lai Chau has ample room to develop organic agriculture, forestry, and medicinal herbs. The focus is on large-scale commodity production zones for macadamia, cinnamon, and high-quality tea, with a particular emphasis on conserving and developing rare medicinal herbs around Lai Chau Ginseng to transform it into a national spearhead economic sector. In addition, the locality leverages its strengths in diverse mineral resources with over 100 mines and mineral spots, notably rare earths, gold, copper, lead, and zinc. This continues to assert its position as a clean energy hub, attracting investment in the energy industry and deep processing and high-tech manufacturing sectors.

In terms of tourism, Lai Chau possesses 7 out of the 10 highest mountain peaks in Vietnam, a diverse natural ecosystem, and the unique cultural identities of 20 ethnic groups. This presents an outstanding advantage for developing ecotourism, resort tourism, community-based tourism, and experiential tourism. Regarding the border-gate economy, the Ma Lu Thang Border Gate Economic Zone is one of the five key border economic zones in the Northern Midland and Mountainous region with a master plan approved up to 2045. It is oriented to become a vital trade, service, and logistics hub based on the strategy of developing "one axis, two regions, three pillars, and four breakthroughs" defined by the Provincial Master Plan.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Ha Quang Trung, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Lai Chau Provincial People’s Committee, affirmed that to realize this strategy, Lai Chau Province is strongly committed to institutional breakthroughs via the "Green Lane" mechanism for prioritized non-state budget investment projects. Operating under the principles of openness, transparency, and accountability, the province commits to cutting down at least 70% of processing times for investment procedures. It will also issue various specific mechanisms and policies across fields and focus on land clearance to create the most favorable conditions for the early implementation of projects.

At the conference, decisions approving investment policy were awarded to 19 projects from 18 enterprises with a total registered capital of over VND 27.7 trillion. Additionally, 19 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on investment cooperation were signed, with a total estimated investment value of over VND 172 trillion across fields such as energy, high-tech agriculture, mineral processing, infrastructure, and tourism.

"Commitments Must Be Honored, Investments Must Be Effective, Development Must Be Sustainable"

Directing the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra affirmed that Lai Chau possesses outstanding potentials and advantages with rich natural resources, biodiversity, minerals, land, along with a unique cultural identity and a strong aspiration to rise among local ethnic groups. The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged and highly appreciated Lai Chau’s comprehensive achievements, noting that the local economy has achieved good growth, the economic structure has shifted positively, and socio-cultural aspects have advanced. She also commended the Executive Committee of the Provincial Party and the authorities of Lai Chau Province for their high determination, clearly demonstrating the mindset of "localities decide, localities execute, and localities take responsibility." They have also proactively cut down and simplified administrative procedures and business conditions beyond central requirements.

Emphasizing strategic resolutions, particularly Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022, of the Politburo on the Socio-economic Development Orientation and Assurance of National Defense and Security in the Northern Midland and Mountainous Region to 2030, with a vision to 2045, she noted that the resolution clearly identifies Lai Chau's role and advantages as a gateway connecting the ASEAN region.

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that as one of the pioneer provinces in improving the investment and business environment, Lai Chau possesses excellent development conditions and space in the coming time. In particular, the presence of investors today with 19 investment policy decisions and 19 MoUs is clear evidence of Lai Chau’s progress, reflecting a political determination to accompany businesses as the locality enters a new era.

Highly appreciating the atmosphere of the conference and the spirit of major corporations like Vingroup and TH Group—who have come to Lai Chau, trusted Lai Chau, and placed high hopes on its development—she noted that these investments bring benefits not only to the enterprises but also contribute to the general development of the country and the Northwest region and bring major changes to the lives of ethnic minorities in Lai Chau.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that in the coming time, the business community must unite under the spirit of “commitments must be honored, investments must be effective, and development must be sustainable.” Enterprises should research and implement projects with the motto of green and sustainable development for the economy and the people, paying deep attention to the ecological environment to maintain a green, sustainably developing land.

On the side of the Lai Chau provincial government, the Government Leader noted that attracting investors is difficult, but retaining them for production and expansion is vital. The awarding of investment certificates today is just the beginning. The government needs to continue removing difficulties, ensuring seamless coordination, strongly improving the business environment, and closely accompanying each business in specific tasks from land clearance to meeting project implementation requirements from the very first step.

Concurrently, the province must focus on training, improving the quality of human resources, and promoting advantageous sectors. The Government Leader also requested central ministries and agencies to continue coordinating closely to support and remove bottlenecks in strategic infrastructure. They must soon complete connecting expressways, especially the Bao Ha - Lai Chau Expressway and the road tunnel project through Hoang Lien Pass, to create a new development space and driver for the locality and the entire Northwest region. Affirming that the Government will always accompany and pay attention to creating the best conditions to unleash resources to help Lai Chau rise even more strongly, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed her confidence that with the message “Lai Chau - Awakening Potentials, Unleashing Opportunities,” the province will transform powerfully. She hoped that the projects awarded investment certificates today will soon bear fruit and prosper alongside Lai Chau.

Three Value Tiers of a Land "Born to Be Green"

From an expert perspective, Mr. Dau Anh Tuan, Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Legal Department of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), shared that the old narrative of Lai Chau as a remote, final point on the map is no longer accurate. In investment thinking, a locality's position lies not in its geographical coordinates, but in its role within the connectivity chain.

“Lai Chau is transforming powerfully from a frontier guard position to a gateway status, becoming a direct logistics link between the vast Southwest China region and the Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh growth triangle. Wise investors do not just buy resources; they buy certainty, speed, and trust. Lai Chau is doing exceptionally well in this regard. Businesses can complete registration procedures here in just 3 days, labor recruitment costs are low, and the level of fair competition is significantly higher than the national median. Furthermore, over 90% of surveyed businesses feel that local officials are friendly and supportive. These figures paint the portrait of a truly facilitating government that helps businesses enter the market faster and operate at lower costs—an institution in which investors dare to place their trust,” Mr. Dau Anh Tuan emphasized.

According to the VCCI Deputy Secretary-General, while many localities struggle to transition away from fossil fuels, Lai Chau possesses the rare advantage of being a province "born to be green." It is one of the three largest hydropower centers in the country, with a renewable energy potential reaching up to 16,000 MW from wind power, pumped-storage hydropower to floating solar power on reservoirs. In the era of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) applied by the European Union, green certificates are the passport for goods to enter the most demanding markets. This helps businesses locating factories here proactively secure future access and exploit a forest carbon credit market worth billions of dollars. 

He emphasized that Lai Chau today invites investment across three complementary value tiers. First is strategic resources, featuring the largest rare earth reserves in the country, abundant renewable energy, and the Lai Chau Ginseng brand with a planned area of three thousand hectares—a national product with an economic value on par with Ngoc Linh Ginseng. The second is room for exploration, when the province's tourism industry is at its dawn, possessing 7 out of the 10 highest mountain peaks in Vietnam, four golf course and resort complexes, and two national tourism areas under planning, where land costs remain low while exploitation potential is virtually untapped. The third and most solid foundation is the facilitating institution, comprising ready, clean land funds across three industrial parks and a 2026 reform action plan that assigns specific responsibilities to each department and sector.

Mr. Dau Anh Tuan believed that the true value of an investment destination lies not where it stands, but in the speed and direction it chooses. Lai Chau's private sector is growing in revenue, labor, and the percentage of enterprises intending to expand, all exceeding the national median. This is the signal of an economy gaining momentum, not a land waiting around. Lai Chau does not invite businesses to exploit a remote area; it invites them to partner with a locality that knows exactly what it wants, knows what it has, and knows how to serve those who dare to trust it.

At the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra evaluated Mr. Dau Anh Tuan’s opinions as highly profound. She agreed that Lai Chau's clearest development pillars—renewable energy and the medicinal pharmaceutical industry—are viewed as immense development spaces not only for Lai Chau but also for the region and the country. Diverse tourism and agriculture also remain massive potentials and strengths of Lai Chau.

5 Commitments to Accompany Investors

Delivering the closing and responding remarks, Mr. Le Minh Ngan, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Lai Chau Provincial People's Council, affirmed that the conference outcomes open a new development phase for the province. Today's results do not stop at impressive numbers but mark the beginning of a new phase of cooperative development, realizing aspirations, and creating a key driver for Lai Chau to break through strongly in the coming years.

The Provincial Party Secretary asserted that Lai Chau deeply understands that the success and efficiency of investors' production and business activities constitute the success and measure of the leadership and governance effectiveness of local authorities. With a spirit of receptiveness, innovation, and high determination, the head of the Provincial Party Committee made strong action commitments.

First, Lai Chau Province commits to drastically improving the investment and business environment toward openness, transparency, and equality; accelerating administrative reform; strongly applying digital transformation; and taking the satisfaction of citizens and businesses as the measure of service effectiveness of government apparatuses at all levels.

Second, the province will implement preferential investment and support policies consistently, publicly, transparently, and fully in accordance with the law and focus resources and create the most favorable conditions regarding procedures for investors to ensure committed project schedules.

Third, prioritize resources to develop strategic infrastructure, including connecting transport infrastructure, digital infrastructure, infrastructure of industrial parks, industrial clusters, border-gate economic zones, and key projects to create a solid foundation for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.

Fourth, Lai Chau Province commits to always accompanying, listening to, and proactively removing in a timely manner all difficulties, obstacles, and recommendations of businesses, ensuring absolute peace of mind and trust for investors throughout the project lifecycle.

Fifth, the locality commits to maintaining national defense and security, ensuring social order and safety to create a peaceful, stable, safe, and friendly environment, absolutely protecting the lives and properties of investors so that businesses can feel secure to commit and contribute in the long term.

These consistent commitments build solid confidence that, under the leadership of the central government and the companionship of the business community, the nation's westernmost land will transform powerfully, realizing its vision to become a dynamically developing, green, and sustainable province in the Northwest region.