E55: Can Hai Phong become Vietnam’s Shanghai?

In this episode of You Don’t Know Vietnam, Ian Paynton travels (virtually) to Hai Phong — Vietnam’s third-largest city and rising industrial powerhouse — to speak with Koen Soenens, the Sales & Marketing Director of DEEP C, the European-managed industrial zone developer that’s been helping the shape economic growth in the region for nearly 30 years. Koen shares why Hai Phong is being compared to Shanghai, how Vietnam became a “safe bet” for global business, and what it really takes to succeed here: long-term commitment, local understanding, and community engagement. From bamboo diplomacy to air quality challenges, this episode is packed with grounded insights on navigating Vietnam’s business culture and future potential. Whether you're exploring Vietnam as a China +1 strategy, expanding your manufacturing footprint, or just curious about life beyond Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, this one’s for you.Send us Fan MailIf you enjoy this conversation or think someone in your network could find value in it, please share it and hit follow to get notified when the next episode drops. This podcast is brought to you by We Create Content, the content marketing agency that builds audiences for global brands in Vietnam. You can follow our host, Ian Paynton, on LinkedIn, and follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok and X. A special thanks to DJ Jase at The Beats Saigon for the soundtrack, and to YOU for listening.