An international financial center is an integrated ecosystem of capital, technology, services, and high-quality human resources. Vietnam’s decision to develop one in Da Nang signals a shift toward a new economic model that enables experimentation and fosters innovation. For Japanese enterprises, it’s a key attraction.

Kowi Hatou, representative of Nanameue—a fintech and AI startup—praised the sandbox mechanism in Da Nang for enabling the testing of new financial products and services within a controlled environment, creating a ‘buffer zone’ between innovation and risk management. “This is particularly crucial amid intense global fintech competition, where businesses need flexibility to validate models before scaling up," said Kowi Hatou.

According to Fumiaki Izawa, Director General of DGW Asia, Da Nang is home to a young and capable pool of IT talent, well-qualified for projects in the Japanese market and fully able to participate in global ones. “With strong support from educational institutions and the government, Da Nang is steadily asserting its position as a technology hub. We see this as a location worthy of long-term investment," Fumiaki Izawa added.

Da Nang’s expanding economic space strengthens its appeal. Following administrative expansion and infrastructure upgrades, the city is evolving from a tourism-driven destination into a comprehensive economic hub capable of accommodating large-scale financial projects.

A well-developed system of seaports, international airports, and logistics networks is increasing connectivity with regional economic centers, reducing operating costs, and improving capital efficiency. From an urban economics perspective, those are essential conditions for the formation of finance–technology clusters, where spillover effects can drive innovation and productivity.

"The infrastructure foundation built over many years in Quang Nam, when integrated with Da Nang, has enabled more efficient connections in human resources, infrastructure, and administration,” said Keiji Hirayama, Director General of Hasegawa Vietnam, adding, “As the region becomes more unified, business options and opportunities will expand. We see this integration as a major driver of Da Nang’s growth."

Dang Dinh Duc, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Agency of VIFC Da Nang, said that municipal administration will accompany investors throughout the entire process—from initial ideas to implementation and efficient operation. “We’re building a safe, modern, business-friendly living and working environment with strong growth potential, aiming to position Da Nang as a world-class, innovative, and reliable financial center," said Duc.

The growing interest of Japanese businesses in VIFC Da Nang stems from a convergence of institutional advantages, expanding development space, strong bilateral relations, and shifts in global value chains. Amid intensifying competition for capital, leveraging this momentum will enable Da Nang to achieve a breakthrough that contributes to Vietnam’s transition to a modern, sustainable, high-value growth model.