The newly expanded Khanh Hoa boasts an impressive list of national records and strategic assets – the most airports (Cam Ranh, Thanh Son, and Truong A); the most deep-water international seaports (Van Phong, Cam Ranh, and Ca Na); the longest coastline in Vietnam (590 kilometers), with  world-renowned beaches Ca Na, Mui Dinh, Vinh Hy, Nha Trang, and Doc Let; the most islands (200), including the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago; the most bays and natural landmarks, including Nha Trang Bay, one of the world’s 24 most beautiful, and Cam Ranh Bay, one of the world’s top three natural harbors; the most UNESCO-recognized World Heritage sites (5); and the nation’s leading center of clean and renewable energy development.

Pham Minh Nhut, Chairman of the Nha Trang-Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, highlighted the merger’s impact on tourism development and culture improvement, promising new breakthroughs for this spearhead economic sector.

“This is no longer just a tourism linkage. The merger creates an integrated tourism product. While Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa share similarities, each retains unique cultural elements. The merger strengthens this connection, offering a richer, more diverse experience that will attract more visitors,” said Nhut.

Beyond tourism, the new Khanh Hoa’s development potential lies in its scale, strategic location, and enhanced regional connectivity. The former Khanh Hoa was known for world-class seaports, international airports, high-end tourism services, and comprehensive infrastructure. The former Ninh Thuan distinguished itself in renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, and the ambition to become an international data hub.

Spanning 8,500 square kilometers, the new province extends development space westward and southward. Located at the heart of the South-Central Coast, it directly links the Central Highlands with Southern Vietnam.

Tran Quoc Nam, Chairman of the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, said the merger is a strategic move to restructure the growth model, maximize regional synergies, and create a unified engine of development. “This merger is a major strategic policy, not just an administrative change. It offers a rare opportunity to form a large-scale, economically dynamic, geographically diverse administrative unit with comprehensive development potential,” according to Nam.

The Khanh Hoa provincial government has identified three strategic pillars for post-merger development: high-tech industry, clean energy, and marine tourism. From now until 2030, Khanh Hoa targets 12% annual growth, doubling its budget revenue, and 38.3 billion USD worth of investment. Tourism will continue to be a key growth driver, with major investment in the new Van Phong Airport and coastal urban-tourism complexes.

With 4,000 hectares of industrial land, the new Khanh Hoa will prioritize high-tech projects in electronics, IT, precision engineering, and clean industry. Wind and solar power will be developed on a large scale, positioning Khanh Hoa as an international marine tourism center, a regional clean energy and energy services hub, Vietnam’s national hub for energy and renewable power, a leading national and international data center location, and a semiconductor production base.

To achieve all these ambitions, Chairman Nam said, “We will comprehensively develop clean, high-tech industries, logistics, high-end tourism, and the maritime economy. Industry will focus on sustainability, high-tech manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors, and green energy.”

He noted, “Khanh Hoa aims to become a hub for artificial intelligence and a national and international data center. Infrastructure development will accelerate to support two nuclear power plants. We will restructure our growth model with a clear, strategic roadmap.”

“The marine economy will be the foundation, developed across multiple sectors. Tourism will diversify, with trading centers, financial districts, high-quality logistics networks, and Nha Trang smart tourism city. The North Cam Ranh peninsula and Ninh Chu will become national tourism zones, while North Van Phong will emerge as an international coastal urban destination,” said Nam.

With its expanded territory and abundant untapped potential, the new Khanh Hoa is accelerating its transformation into the central growth engine of the South-Central Coast region. It aims to become a centrally governed city by 2030, increasingly attractive to both domestic and foreign investors and visitors alike.