On these days, workers at the 5,000sq.m Phu Yen Garment Factory in Chat hamlet, Gia Phu commune, Phu Yen district are working hard to complete year-end orders and get more bonuses to enjoy a warm and happy Tet (Lunar New year).

The factory has received attention, active support and favourable conditions from relevant departments and sectors of the province and the district. In particular, the provincial Department of Industry and Trade supported seven electronic button sewing machines to replace ineffective mechanical machines, helping to improve productivity and promptly meet large orders. In 2023, despite unpredictable market developments, the factory continued to win many orders. It estimated to produce more than 1.4 million products, of which more than 70% were for export; maintained stable jobs for over 500 local workers; and fulfilled tax obligations.

With the motto of "opening door to investors", Phu Yen district has focused on investing in infrastructure of the Gia Phu Industrial Cluster, attracting investment in infrastructure business to establish the Tan Lang and Huy Tan Industrial Clusters in the 2025-2030 period, creating favourable conditions to expand leather shoe and garment factories, and prioritising the development of agricultural, forestry and food processing industries, pharmaceuticals, high-tech applications and several labour-intensive industries.

Meanwhile, the 28.82-ha Moc Chau Industrial Cluster currently has four operating companies, namely Trung Duc Gas Co. Ltd, Nafoods Tay Bac JSC, Moc Chau Industrial Bamboo Production Company, and Northwest Agricultural Investment and Development JSC, with an occupancy rate of 93.4%. After the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have maintained regular jobs for more than 100 locals.

Implementing the Party Central Committee’s Resolution No. 06-NQ/TU dated January 21, 2021 on developing agricultural product processing in Son La province for the 2021-2025 period, with a vision to 2030, the provincial Department of Industry and Trade has built a plan to develop 21 industrial clusters, with a total area of nearly 864 ha. Currently, the department is actively coordinating with the Department of Planning and Investment and the People's Committees of Moc Chau and Phu Yen districts which have industrial clusters to attract businesses to invest in technical infrastructure.

The department has also coordinated with the Son La city People's Committee and departments and sectors to attract infrastructure developers as a basis for drawing investment in production and business projects in the Hoang Van Thu Industrial Cluster in accordance with Decision 2204/QD-UBND dated October 24, 2022 of the provincial People's Committee; and worked with the Quynh Nhai district People's Committee to propose adding the Chieng Bang Industrial Cluster to attract investment in industries and handicrafts to tap the district's strengths, together with industries that use a lot of unskilled workers and those undergoing short-term training.

In the new year, with the desire to develop further, the province will focus on directing the acceleration of the progress of projects; attracting investors in the industrial sector; giving priority to businesses in fields that do not cause hazardous waste and wastewater that pollute the environment; removing difficulties and obstacles, and creating favourable conditions for investors in the process of implementing production and business projects; and attracting investment projects in production development, thus contributing to increasing budget revenue, and creating more jobs for local labourers.