Tuyen said starting July 1, the Mekong Delta city will merge with nearby Hau Giang and Soc Trang provinces, creating an expanded Can Tho city spanning about 6,400 sq.km, four times its current size, with a population of over 4.2 million, nearly triple the present figure. The merger is poised to unlock vast opportunities in trade, services, marine economy, and high-tech agriculture, with investors promised the highest incentives allowed under Viet Nam’s Investment Law and recent Finance Ministry guidelines.

Can Tho pledges to keep refining tailored policies and mechanisms to draw firms, particularly in such priority sectors as transport infrastructure, renewable energy, and hi-tech agriculture, he said.

The Tran De deep-water port, a critical piece of Viet Nam’s national seaport strategy and currently located in Soc Trang, is set to anchor Can Tho’s marine economy. Expected to sharply reduce logistics costs, the port will propel agricultural exports and improve global market access for the Mekong Delta. With the merger, potential in wind energy and aquaculture in coastal areas will also be unlocked.

On the agriculture front, Can Tho is going hi-tech with a Government-approved 415ha agricultural zone in Hau Giang, paired with a 28ha digital economy zone to drive modern farming.

The city already boasts strengths in commerce, services, sci-tech, logistics, education, and specialised healthcare. A 2022 National Assembly resolution designated Can Tho as home to a 250ha regional hub for agricultural processing and distribution, and the city is advancing a plan for one million ha of high-quality and low-emission rice, with 250,000 ha already in production, he added.

Tuyen assigned the Department of Finance to serve as the focal point for connecting, coordinating, and supporting Australian investors exploring and establishing partnerships in the city.

Law, joined by representatives from 14 Australian firms in education, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and green economy, said the trip was part of AusCham’s strategy to link its members with Viet Nam’s high-growth hotspots. He called Can Tho the beating heart of the Mekong Delta, perfectly aligned with Viet Nam’s national development goals.

He expressed hope to team up on trade promotion, forge business-to-business ties, and back sustainable projects that are in sync with Can Tho’s vision. He also showed interest in exploring Can Tho’s investment policies, especially those around land access, tax breaks, and administrative procedures – key to driving investors' trust and fruitful cooperation.