Ninh Thuan province, located in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam, is capitalizing on its strategic location and abundant resources to bolster its economic development, particularly in the lead-up to its impending merger with Khanh Hoa province. A week-long trade fair in Ho Chi Minh City, from June 13th to 19th, 2025, serves as a crucial platform for Ninh Thuan to showcase its potential, expand its market reach, and attract investment before the official amalgamation. The event, organized by the Ninh Thuan Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Center in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Center, highlights the province’s multifaceted strengths and its ambitious plans for the future.
A Merger on the Horizon: Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa Unite
The National Assembly’s June 12th, 2025 approval of the merger between Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa marks a significant turning point for both provinces. According to Nguyen Anh Minh, Deputy Director of the Ninh Thuan Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Center, the newly formed Khanh Hoa province will encompass an area exceeding 85,500 square kilometers and boast a population of over 2.2 million people. This merger underscores the strategic importance of Ninh Thuan’s participation in the Ho Chi Minh City trade fair, providing a vital opportunity to showcase its economic prowess and attract investment before the administrative changes take effect. The event serves not only as a platform for individual businesses but also as a strategic move for the province as a whole to position itself favorably within the larger, merged entity.
Ninh Thuan: A Province of Strategic Importance and Economic Vitality
Ninh Thuan occupies a strategically vital location, serving as a crucial link connecting the key economic zone of Southeast Vietnam with the South Central Highlands and the South Central Coast. The province benefits from its position along three major transportation arteries: National Highway 1, the East-West North-South Expressway, and National Highway 27. With a land area of 3,358 square kilometers and a population of 612,700, Ninh Thuan has maintained a robust average GRDP growth rate of 8.85% between 2021 and 2024, achieving a per capita GRDP of 98.2 million VND in 2024. Its strong economic performance is further evidenced by its Provincial Competitiveness Index (BCI) ranking, placing it 13th out of 63 provinces in 2024, firmly within the top 30 provinces with the best governance nationwide.
The province’s economic structure demonstrates a balanced distribution across sectors, with industry and construction accounting for 41.7%, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries contributing 26.8%, and services making up 31.5%. This diversified approach contributes to its overall economic resilience and growth potential.
Agricultural Excellence: High-Value Crops and Export Success
Ninh Thuan leverages its year-round sunny climate and unique soil conditions to cultivate high-value crops and livestock, including grapes, apples, garlic, aloe vera, asparagus, goats, and sheep. These agricultural products are integrated into value chains linked to experiential tourism, providing a distinct competitive advantage in the market. The province’s commitment to quality and innovation is evident in its aloe vera processing industry, which exports products to 22 countries, generating annual revenue of $3.5 million USD. Other notable exports include cashew nuts, asparagus, shallots, green apples, and dried apples, all contributing to Ninh Thuan’s growing international reputation for high-quality agricultural goods.
OCOP Program: Empowering Local Businesses and Promoting Regional Products
The One Commune One Product (OCOP) program plays a vital role in supporting local businesses and promoting the province’s diverse products. Over 270 OCOP products have achieved a 3-star rating or higher, with 42 products receiving a prestigious 4-star rating. Numerous products have also gained national brand recognition. Ninh Thuan actively promotes its OCOP products through modern distribution channels and e-commerce platforms, with 94 businesses showcasing 368 products at the Ho Chi Minh City trade fair. This strategic approach is designed to maximize market reach and strengthen brand recognition.
Digital Transformation and Emerging Industries: Fostering Growth and Innovation
Ninh Thuan is actively embracing digital transformation to enhance market access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The province is also exploring promising new avenues for growth, particularly in the burgeoning field of medicinal herbs. Lien Ket Viet Nam (LKVN) Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, located in Quang Son commune, Ninh Son district, has established a significant cultivation area for ginseng and other valuable medicinal herbs. This initiative provides significantly higher incomes than traditional crops such as corn or cassava, with products such as ginseng tea, bottled drinks, and ginseng-infused pillows gaining considerable market traction. LKVN is planning to expand its cultivation area to 500 hectares to meet growing domestic and international demand.
Tourism and Fisheries: Natural Assets Driving Economic Growth
Ninh Thuan boasts a stunning coastline stretching 105 kilometers, featuring the internationally recognized Nui Chua National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and Vinh Hy Bay, one of Vietnam’s eight most beautiful bays. These natural assets attract a significant number of tourists annually. The province’s extensive territorial waters, covering 18,000 square kilometers, are rich in marine resources, contributing to its prominence as a major fishing ground, supplying seafood for processing and export. This natural wealth serves as a significant driver of economic growth and provides diverse opportunities for sustainable development.
Strategic Partnership with Ho Chi Minh City: Strengthening Economic Ties
The trade fair in Ho Chi Minh City is part of a broader economic and social development cooperation program between Ninh Thuan and Ho Chi Minh City, running from 2023 to 2025. As Vietnam’s largest economic center, Ho Chi Minh City presents an ideal market for Ninh Thuan to showcase its products and connect with major retail groups, supermarkets, and distributors. This strategic partnership is designed to unlock mutual growth potential and create synergistic opportunities for both provinces.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration and Economic Development
The event is not merely a showcase of Ninh Thuan’s products but a crucial initiative aimed at strengthening regional linkages and maximizing the potential of both participating regions. In the context of the impending merger, Ninh Thuan is actively working to solidify its role, transforming its advantages into drivers of sustainable development, and contributing significantly to the prosperity of the new Khanh Hoa province. The trade fair serves as a microcosm of this larger strategy, highlighting Ninh Thuan’s commitment to economic growth and its proactive approach to navigating the changes brought about by the provincial merger. The event ultimately aims to foster increased investment, expand market access, and secure Ninh Thuan’s position as a key economic contributor to the newly formed province.
