Dong Nai (VNA) – Dong Nai province is being positioned as a future centrally governed city, a move expected to create strong momentum for it to evolve into a major, modern and livable urban centre in the southern region.
With a strategic location at the heart of the southeastern region and within the dynamic sphere of Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai plays a key role in the southern economic zone. It serves as a critical gateway for international trade and a major intersection of the country’s most important economic corridors.
At the second plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee, a policy of establishing Dong Nai as a centrally governed city was approved. Local authorities describe the move as more than an administrative upgrade, but a fundamental shift in governance model and development vision.
According to the provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Information and Education and Mass Mobilisation, the transformation will provide a strong impetus for Dong Nai to become a regional and international urban hub, supported by strategic infrastructure such as Long Thanh International Airport and a modern, multimodal transport network.
Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Ut said Dong Nai has solid foundations for this transition, including a strong industrial base, strategic location, and rapidly developing infrastructure, especially national-level projects.
“To realise the goal of becoming a centrally governed city, Dong Nai must adopt new development thinking, governance models and implementation approaches,” he said, stressing the need to shift from a traditional industrial province to a modern industrial–urban–service city driven by science, innovation and the digital economy.
The province plans to leverage transport, urban and logistics infrastructure as key drivers, while building a modern, efficient administration that prioritises residents and businesses. Improving quality of life and ensuring balanced development between economic growth and social and cultural progress are also central to its vision of becoming a “civilised, modern and happy” city.
Dong Nai’s geographic advantages and infrastructure development are expected to underpin its rapid transformation. The province has a highly connected transport system integrating road, air, rail and inland waterways, making it a strategic gateway for the southern economic region.
The Long Thanh International Airport project, expected to be about to come into commercial operation, is seen as a game-changer that will position Dong Nai as a regional aviation and logistics hub. When combined with deep-sea ports, expressways, ring roads and railways, the province is expected to form a comprehensive multimodal transport ecosystem, strengthening its role in global supply chains and attracting high-quality investment.
Authorities believe that upgrading Dong Nai to city status will enhance its autonomy in decision-making, enabling it to implement large-scale projects more effectively and elevate its role as a national growth pole. The move will also facilitate stronger, more balanced linkages with Ho Chi Minh City, forming a major economic hub capable of competing at regional and global levels.
Urban development will focus on a multi-centre model, including Bien Hoa, Long Thanh, Nhon Trach and Long Khanh, with integrated infrastructure, human resources and ecological systems. This approach aims to create a smart, sustainable urban network aligned with regional development.
At the same time, improved governance and transparent public services are expected to meet the demands of a growing urban population, while enhancing the investment climate.
Economic experts say the transition offers an opportunity for Dong Nai to accelerate its economic restructuring, moving from labour-intensive manufacturing toward high-value industries and internationally standardised services. Key sectors such as logistics, finance, technology, innovation and higher education are expected to expand, improving productivity and value chains.
Home to nearly 4.5 million people and a highly skilled workforce, Dong Nai holds strong potential for growth. In 2025, its gross regional domestic product hit over 677 trillion VND, making up about 5% of the national GDP and securing fourth place nationwide.
Establishing Dong Nai as a centrally-governed city will not only unlock new growth drivers but also help the province emerge as a leading development pole in the southern region, contributing to the country’s long-term economic ambitions, said Ton Ngoc Hanh, member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Dong Nai provincial People's Council./.
VNA
