Northern Quang Ninh province has topped Vietnam’s Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) 2022, with 72.95 out of 100 points, according to the PCI 2022 report.

The report was released on April 11 by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

From 2017 to 2022, Quang Ninh took the lead in economic management, with a number of initiatives in investment attraction and administrative reform. The province has also emerged as a highlight in human resources training.

Quang Ninh was followed by Bac Giang, Hai Phong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Dong Thap.

The 2022 PCI report was based on responses from 11,872 enterprises, including 10,590 domestic private enterprises and 1,282 foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in Vietnam.

This year, for the first time, the VCCI also released the Provincial Green Index (PGI), an initiative developed by the Chamber with support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and private sector partners.

The PGI evaluates and ranks cities and provinces’ environmental policies to promote better business behavior and practices, including the application of new green technologies.

Tra Vinh, Lang Son, and Bac Ninh were the top three PGI performers.

While foreign investors are generally more satisfied with provincial environmental governance than their domestic counterparts in host cities and provinces, there are a few areas where foreign investors express greater negativity, such as provincial efforts to combat pollution and punish polluting companies.

“For nearly two decades, VCCI’s successful PCI has prompted feedback and effective action around critical business climate issues,” said Ms. Aler Grubbs, USAID’s Mission Director for Vietnam. “The new PGI builds on this success, and signals greater recognition among the private sector that environmental considerations are equally important for business success and long-term economic growth.”