Khanh Hoa Province: Partnership for Development

 

Khanh Hoa has long been famous with beautiful Nha Trang city and attractive destinations such as Van Phong, Dai Lanh, Hon Tam, Doc let, Tri Nguyen fish pond, Bai Tru, Hon Ba, Duc My hot springs, Giang Bay waterfall, and Hon Mun island with its unique coral and diverse marine life. Some 670,000 visitors come to Khanh Hoa every year including 270,000 foreign tourists, with an average increase of 15 per cent a year.

 

Nha Trang is the main attraction of tourists and tourist investment. In recent years, many new projects have been implemented and now operate making Nha Trang even more attractive, in line with the modern style and trend of international tourism : there are five-star hotels such as Hon Ngoc Viet, Sunrise, Rusalka-Bai Tien resort and golf course, tourist centres such as Song Lo and Evaron Hideaway at Mandara, Hon Tam, Hon Mun, high-class services and recreation activities including water sports, diving, parachute flying and water skiing. Several other investments were made in Bai Dai - Cam Ranh, Van Phong bay - Van Ninh. In particular, the organic mud baths in Thap Ba hot spring has attracted many tourists interested in relaxation and medical treatment.

 

Presently, Khanh Hoa has over 270 lodging establishments with over 6,200 rooms. 26 travel agents, 61 transport companies and 69 recreation centres. The province welcomes new investments with high-class facilities to make Khanh Hoa an ideal place of tourism.

 

Khanh Hoa has also favourable conditions for industrial development. Since 2000, the industrial growth rate has been maintained at 20 per cent a year, accounting for 40 per cent of its economic value. By 2010, the province will have seven industrial zones : Suoi Dau. Ninh Thuy, South Cam Ranh, North Cam Ranh, Van Ninh, Dien Phu, Dac Loc and a number of small and medium industrial zones. Suoi Dau IZ with investment from Khanh Hoa Trade and Investment company has completed Phase I with 78.17 hectares and investment capital of VND99 billion. Phase 2 is under preparation with 39.31 hectares. 22 investment projects have already been operating in Suoi Dau including those from France, Russia, US, Taiwan, Thailand. Other IZs under preparation are Ninh Thuy with 206 hectares and investment of Nha Trang Hoan Cau Co., Ltd; South Cam Ranh with 200 hectares and investment of Dong Hai Real Estate Company; Van Ninh with 150 hectares calling for infrastructure investment. For small and medium industrial zones, Dien Phu with 39 hectares and investment of Khanh Hoa Industry Department is under construction and will become operational in 2005; Dac Loc with 36.3 hectares and investment of Khanh Hoa IZ Management Board started the construction in early 2005. North Hon Ong with 30 hectares and investment of Fisheries Department is in the process of land clearance.

 

Ms Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, Vice-Chair of Khanh Hoa People’s Committee said that the province has twice improved preferential treatment on investment. The enterprises developing IZ infrastructure are exempted of land rental during the implementation of projects, support in land clearance, and re-payment of enterprise income tax of the last nine years. Regarding enterprises inside the IZ, the province will re-pay enterprise income tax of the last 6-8 years, support in moving and training fees, and creating jobs for local people.

 

Khanh Hoa has 30 projects calling for investment. They are most feasible as the market demands are pressing such as aqua-products processing, high-quality glass, sport equipment, NIX brick, pharmaceuticals, sea weed, granite and composite products.

 

Khanh Hoa has a large fishing area (520 km of coastline, 10,000 sq. kilometres of continental shelf) rich in shrimp, squid, tuna, and craft. Aqua-culture can be developed in 7,500 hectares. The Oceanography College and Aqua-Culture College in the province are most favourable for the research and supply of human resources. The province has some 40 factories processing aqua-products for export including four with CODE license for Europe, one with HACCP certificate and many with export criteria to other markets.

 

The government has approved the plan to develop Van Phong economic zone. Van Phong bay will be a diversified economic zone with seaport, industry and tourism. It is close to international shipping lines: Europe - North Asia, Australia - South East Asia and North Asia.

 

Mr Vo Lam Thi, Chairman of Khanh Hoa People’s Committee called on investors and partners to develop Khanh Hoa to a higher plane. While Mr Le Thanh Hai, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh city’s People’s Committee highly valued the cooperation and urged businesses to invest and do business with Khanh Hoa.