Since the beginning of the 2020-2025 term, Nghi Sơn Economic Zone and other industrial zones in Thanh Hóa have attracted 86 new domestic investment projects and 22 foreign investment projects, totaling VND 22,773 billion and USD 323 million in registered capital. Noteworthy large-scale projects include the DST Nghi Sơn Steel Rolling Mill (VND 5,500 billion investment), Đồng Vàng Industrial Zone Infrastructure (VND 2,400 billion), Đại Dương High-Tech Precast Concrete Manufacturing Plant (VND 1,099 billion), and Billion Union Vietnam Fabric Manufacturing Plant (USD 70 million).

To date, Nghi Sơn Economic Zone and other industrial zones in Thanh Hóa have attracted a total of 729 projects, including 655 domestic investment projects with a total registered capital of VND 181,296 billion (of which VND 85,618 billion has been implemented), and 74 foreign investment projects with a total registered capital of USD 13.699 billion (of which USD 13.275 billion has been implemented).

Currently, 491 projects within Nghi Sơn Economic Zone and other industrial zones in Thanh Hóa are operational, contributing to over VND 670,000 billion in industrial, service, and trade output since the start of the 2020-2025 term. These projects have created jobs for over 98,000 workers, with an average monthly salary of VND 6.7 million per person.

The management and development of industrial zones have received increased attention. Since 2021, the 1:2000 subdivision planning for 15 industrial zones within Nghi Sơn Economic Zone and other industrial zones in Thanh Hóa (Zones 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22) has been completed. Additionally, four industrial zones outside Nghi Sơn Economic Zone have been approved: Westside Thanh Hoa City Industrial Zone, Phú Quý Industrial Zone in Hoằng Hóa District, Tượng Lĩnh Industrial Zone in Nông Cống District, and Giang Quang Thịnh Industrial Zone in Thiệu Hóa District. These areas serve as a foundation for attracting investment in industrial infrastructure development.

Currently, four industrial zones within Nghi Sơn Economic Zone have secured infrastructure investors, and construction is underway, with secondary investors being actively sought. Outside Nghi Sơn Economic Zone, five industrial zones have been established, each with its own infrastructure investors.

Recently, six new industrial infrastructure projects in Thanh Hóa have garnered significant interest from investors and are in the process of completing project documentation. These include:

WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone, part of Phú Quý Industrial Zone in Hoằng Hóa District, proposed by WHA Group (Thailand), covering 178.5 hectares with a total investment of VND 1,320 billion. This project has been appraised by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.

WHA Smart Technology 2 - Thanh Hóa Industrial Zone, part of Giang Quang Thịnh Industrial Zone in Thiệu Hóa District, proposed by WHA Group (Thailand), covering 174.9 hectares with a total investment of VND 1,275 billion. This project is currently under appraisal by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Westside Thanh Hóa City Industrial Zone - Phase 1, proposed by Sumitomo Group (Japan), covering 167 hectares with a total investment of VND 2,918 billion. This project is also under appraisal by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Industrial Zone No. 19, within Nghi Sơn Economic Zone, proposed by Viet-Japan Hop Thanh Industrial Park Investment Joint Stock Company, covering 295 hectares with a total investment of VND 2,360 billion. This project is under review by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, with a request for the investor to complete the project documentation.

Industrial Zone No. 17, within Nghi Sơn Industrial Zone, proposed by VAS Nghi Sơn Group Joint Stock Company, covering 570.12 hectares with a total investment of VND 6,432 billion. This project is also under appraisal by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, with a request for additional documentation.

Vietnam-India High-Tech Pharmaceutical Industrial Zone - Phase 1, within Industrial Zone No. 20 in Nghi Sơn Economic Zone, proposed by Anh Phat Construction and Trading Corporation, Sri Avantika Contractors Co., Ltd., and Mr. Ramesh Babu Potluri (India), covering 142.2 hectares with a total investment of VND 1,470 billion. This project is currently being appraised by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.