Favourable conditions

The plan is among the province's key economic development priorities for the coming years and is expected to create opportunities for Kep and surrounding areas to accelerate growth and gradually build an eco-friendly urban area linked to industrial and logistics development.

The Bac Giang-Lang Son expressway and other transport routes form an integrated network supporting socio-economic development in the Kep area. Photo: The Dai

Pham Cong Toan, Secretary of the Kep Party Committee, said the province's plan to develop a Northern specialised economic zone was based on a combination of strategic advantages.

Kep is a meeting point for major transport routes, including the Bac Giang-Lang Son expressway, National Highways 1 and 37, Hanoi Ring Road No. 5 and Provincial Road 292, as well as the Hanoi-Bang Tuong railway to China and rail routes linking Kep with Ha Long and Thai Nguyen.

In particular, Kep International Intermodal Station, together with a 180-hectare inland container depot, has become an important logistics hub for Bac Ninh and Northern Vietnam.

Since beginning international intermodal operations in 2022, Kep station has rapidly established itself as a major cargo transshipment point. Its extensive warehousing and loading facilities facilitate the movement of goods both domestically and for export.

Cargo handled at the station exceeded 60,000 tonnes in 2025 and is expected to be 2.5 times higher this year.

Kep also serves as a link in the export route for goods to China and for transit shipments through China to third markets such as Russia, Mongolia and several European countries.

Kep is a meeting point for major transport routes, forming a modern and integrated connectivity network. In the photo: Officials work at Kep International Intermodal Station.

Kep is home to more than 43,000 people, with a tradition of hard work, creativity and resilience. Local authorities say this is an important resource as the area seeks to overcome challenges and pursue new development opportunities.

The locality, along with other areas, is implementing a two-tier local government model, which gives commune-level authorities greater powers and allows them to develop more flexible economic models tailored to local conditions.

Turning plans into reality

Building on its existing advantages, Kep has proposed and developed an integrated planning framework that has been approved by provincial and central authorities.

The planned zone currently covers about 11,500 hectares and is expected to expand into neighbouring areas.

The specialised planning is expected to help attract major investors and support the introduction of specific policies and mechanisms. Customs and logistics procedures are also expected to be streamlined, helping businesses reduce costs.

Ho Cao Lake is planned for eco-tourism development.

As part of the plan, Kep has completed preparations to meet the criteria for becoming a ward, paving the way for the establishment of the specialised economic zone.

The locality has also proposed attracting investment into three industrial clusters covering a combined 200 hectares.

Under the 2025-2030 term resolution of the Kep Party Committee, the locality will issue further measures after becoming a ward to achieve annual growth of at least 12% in production value.

It plans to maintain more than 1,000 hectares of rice-growing land while focusing the remaining area on industry and services.

In the services sector, Kep plans to develop eco-tourism, logistics and freight transport, while avoiding urban projects based on subdividing land for sale.

It also plans to attract investment to three supporting industrial parks - Quang Thinh, Phu My and Phu My 1 - with a combined area of about 550 hectares.

The planned industrial areas include land in neighbouring communes, with one area adjacent to a nearly 1,000-hectare industrial park planned by Lang Son province.

Kep has proposed to the province that investment attraction for these industrial areas be accelerated, with implementation targeted for 2027.

Several investors have already studied investment opportunities in the planned inland port area in Kep.

The locality is currently preparing for a ceremony to announce a resolution by the National Assembly Standing Committee establishing Kep Ward. The move marks an important milestone and is expected to open a new phase of development.

Provincial Chairman inspects Kep Station operations, surveys transport projects

BAC NINH - Pham Hoang Son, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, on April 1 conducted an on-site inspection at Kep Station in Kep commune and carried out field surveys to consider approval and adjustments to investment policies for several projects. 

Cargo throughput surges at Kep international railway station

BAC NINH - Cargo handled at Kep International Intermodal Railway Station has risen sharply since it began international operations in 2022, turning the facility into a key logistics hub for northern Vietnam. The growth has helped expand rail transport capacity and ease pressure on road traffic, while facilitating exports and imports as well as supporting trade cooperation and local socio-economic development.

Air force units conduct joint drills over Kep Airport, Bac Ninh

BAC NINH – In recent days, dozens of jet fighters from units under the Air Defence – Air Force Service have converged at Kep Airport in Bac Ninh province. Pilots are carrying out complex flight manoeuvres to prepare for an air show marking the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day on September 2 (1945–2025).