According to the Hai Phong Department of Finance's plan, the city expects to organize 119 training courses for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2026. These include 22 courses on business startup and 97 on business administration. The total implementation cost exceeds 6 billion VND, with the city budget contributing approximately 4,5 billion VND.

The program aims to enhance management capacity, operational skills, and legal knowledge for managers and employees within SMEs. This initiative is considered a key solution to boost the competitiveness of the private business sector amidst rapid economic transformation and increasing management demands.

Alongside training support, Hai Phong is also promoting incentive policies for innovative startups, high-tech businesses, and those in artificial intelligence and semiconductor fields.

Visitors experience startup products from a young enterprise at Techfest Hai Phong 2025. Photo: Le Tan

Under a resolution approved by the city's People's Council (HDND) at the end of 2025, qualifying innovative startups will receive a corporate income tax exemption for five years from the date tax obligations arise. The city will also exempt personal income tax for five years on income from capital transfers into innovative startups, artificial intelligence (AI), and semiconductor businesses.

Furthermore, experts, scientists, and individuals working at innovative startups or innovation support organizations in the area will also be exempt from personal income tax on salaries and wages for a period of five years.

These policies are expected to incentivize the attraction of high-quality human resources, investment capital, and a robust technology ecosystem to Hai Phong, particularly as the city accelerates its development of the digital economy and high-tech industries.

Beyond tax incentives, Hai Phong is developing additional mechanisms to help businesses access capital and production premises.

According to the projected roadmap, in Quarter I/2026, the city's People's Committee (UBND) will establish a mechanism to supplement entrusted capital from the budget through the Social Policy Bank. This aims to support SMEs, micro-enterprises, and business households in accessing loans with preferential interest rates.

In Quarter II/2026, the city plans to issue regulations concerning investment support for infrastructure and land areas within industrial parks, industrial clusters, and technology incubators. These provisions will enable high-tech businesses, SMEs, and innovative startups to lease or sublease facilities.

Hai Phong implements numerous policies to support manufacturing businesses. Photo: Giang Huy

Hai Phong is also exploring mechanisms to support clean site infrastructure, including electricity, water, transportation, telecommunications, and administrative procedures for high-tech businesses, supporting industries, and innovative enterprises.

A notable solution is the plan to connect and share data among commercial banks, the Social Policy Bank, tax authorities, and off-budget financial funds. This initiative aims to increase credit access for small businesses and business households.

Indeed, Hai Phong's investment and business environment is showing positive signs. According to the city's People's Committee (UBND) socio-economic report, in just the first four months of 2026, Hai Phong saw 3,072 newly established businesses. This figure significantly surpassed the set growth scenario and achieved 41% of the annual plan.

In April alone, the city recorded 925 new businesses with a total registered capital exceeding 5 trillion VND, marking an increase of over 66% compared to the same period last year.

During the same period, Hai Phong attracted 56 investment projects totaling nearly 56 trillion VND. Many of these projects are concentrated in industrial parks, economic zones, and high-tech manufacturing.

According to the city's assessment, the sharp increase in newly established businesses reflects the business community's confidence in Hai Phong's economic development prospects and investment environment. The acceleration of administrative procedure reforms, which shortens business registration times, has also helped businesses enter the market more quickly.

Minh Ngoc