REATIMES INTERVIEWS KN HOLDINGS DEPUTY CEO NGUYEN TUAN ANH: KNIC BUILDING FUTURE-READY INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

In an in-depth interview for Reatimes’ “Leading Values” series, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh – Deputy CEO of KN Holdings and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Real Estate Association (VNREA) – shared his perspectives on the evolving criteria for investment site selection and the new requirements shaping industrial real estate infrastructure.

The interview also highlights KN Industrial City’s (KNIC) vision for developing a “Next-Generation Industrial City”, with a focus on modern infrastructure, energy, smart operations, and the adaptability required to support high-value industries of the future.

Rendering of KNIC Nam Long Thanh, located 5 km south of Long Thanh International Airport

FDI SITE SELECTION CRITERIA ARE EVOLVING

According to Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains is creating new opportunities for Vietnam across electronics, semiconductors, high-tech industries, and logistics.

As global FDI flows continue to shift, multinational corporations are adopting more comprehensive site selection criteria. Beyond costs and workforce availability, reliable power supply, access to renewable energy, digital infrastructure, logistics connectivity, and ESG standards are becoming increasingly important factors in investment decisions.

For infrastructure-intensive industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and data centers, infrastructure quality can directly affect project deployment timelines, long-term operational reliability, and integration into global supply chains. Industrial parks must therefore be equipped not only to meet current requirements, but also to adapt to evolving technologies and operational standards over the decades ahead.

KNIC BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE INDUSTRIES OF THE FUTURE

Backed by KN Holdings’ diversified business platform, KNIC is being developed under the vision of a “Vietnam’s Next-Generation Industrial City”, integrating technical infrastructure, energy, logistics, digital infrastructure, smart operations, and comprehensive business support services.

ESG principles are embedded into the planning approach through resource-efficient solutions, clean energy, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and smart operations, creating a foundation to support businesses as they adapt to evolving global supply chain standards.

Emphasizing the importance of long-term thinking in industrial development, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh shared: “The infrastructure we build today must anticipate the industries of tomorrow.”

This perspective reflects KNIC’s proactive approach to developing infrastructure today with the future requirements of next-generation industries in mind.

KNIC NAM LONG THANH: INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGNED FOR SEMICONDUCTORS, AI & DATA CENTERS

Highlighted by Reatimes as a flagship project exemplifying this development model, KNIC Nam Long Thanh spans approximately 1,000 hectares in Phase 1, with an integrated master plan developed in consultation with Nippon Koei.

Strategically located in Long Thanh, Dong Nai, the project is approximately 5 km from Long Thanh International Airport, with convenient access to major seaports, expressways, and the Southern Key Economic Region’s logistics network.

For industries with stringent operational requirements, such as semiconductor manufacturing and data centers, location is only one part of the site selection equation. Reliable access to power, water, digital infrastructure, and logistics throughout the project lifecycle is increasingly critical.

Rendering of the Semiconductor and Data Center Hubs at KNIC Nam Long Thanh

Against this backdrop, KNIC Nam Long Thanh is planned to accommodate high-tech manufacturing clusters, supported by large-scale power infrastructure, digital connectivity, water supply and drainage systems, renewable energy, BESS, and an integrated regional logistics network.

These infrastructure components are particularly relevant to data centers, where reliable power supply and continuous operations are essential, as well as to the semiconductor industry, which requires high levels of reliability across power, water, production environments, and supporting infrastructure.

Beyond utilities, KNIC Nam Long Thanh benefits from naturally hard basalt ground conditions and favorable site elevation, providing investors with the potential to optimize foundation solutions and accelerate factory development timelines.

The Work – Live – Learn model further strengthens the ecosystem by integrating manufacturing with accommodation, commercial and service amenities, education, and training – supporting businesses in attracting and retaining highly skilled talent.

EXPANDING A GREEN INDUSTRIAL ECOSYSTEM

While KNIC Nam Long Thanh places a clear emphasis on high-tech industries and digital infrastructure, KNIC Dong Long Thanh extends the ecosystem toward green manufacturing and sustainable supply chains.

Rendering of KNIC Dong Long Thanh, located 5 km east of Long Thanh International Airport

The project is positioned to attract industries including electric vehicles, mechanical engineering, electronics, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and F&B, while integrating clean energy solutions and smart operations.

Through these two flagship developments, KNIC is progressively building an integrated industrial ecosystem, with KNIC Nam Long Thanh playing a central role in attracting high-tech industries such as semiconductors, AI, and data centers.

In doing so, KNIC aims to serve as a long-term partner for investors and businesses, contributing to Vietnam’s deeper participation in global high-tech value chains and supply networks.

Read the full interview on Reatimes – Vietnam’s Electronic Magazine of Real Estate.