Efficient use of resources for Dong Nai’s green and sustainable development

Dong Nai possesses one of the most abundant and diverse reserves of natural resources in the Southeast region, including land, forests and biodiversity, water sources, minerals, renewable energy, and eco-tourism potential.

Land resources in Bu Dang commune, Dong Nai province

Efficient and economical use of this “treasure” forms the foundation for the province to pursue green and sustainable growth, realising its goal of meeting the basic criteria of a centrally run city by 2030.

Rich and diverse natural resources

As Dong Nai covers over 12,700 square kilometres, the largest in the Southeast region and the ninth largest in Vietnam, land is regarded as its most valuable natural resource. Its extensive land fund provides the basis for the province to plan and restructure urban and rural spaces, as well as zones for industry, agriculture, forestry, trade and services.

The combination of land advantages with its strategic location at the heart of the southern key economic region, linking the Southeast, South-Central Coast, Central Highlands and Mekong Delta, positions Dong Nai as a strategic hub for modern industry, logistics, and tourism.

Additionally, major transport infrastructure projects, such as Long Thanh International Airport, Phuoc An Port, Hoa Lu International Border Gate, and inter-regional expressways, are strengthening Dong Nai's role as a regional coordination centre and driving robust growth momentum for the years to come.

With more than one million hectares of agricultural land, the province has strong potential for long-term industrial crops and high-tech agriculture, providing the basis for establishing material zones for processing industries. Under its development orientation, the agricultural sector is promoting mechanisation, enhancing value, and building sustainable production chains linked to local raw material regions.

Mineral resources, such as construction stone, sand, fill materials, and bauxite, also play a crucial role in serving key infrastructure projects not only in the province but also across the southern region. According to Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee, minerals are among the province’s key resources. Licensing and exploitation activities have been strictly controlled to comply with planning regulations, environmental protection standards and climate change adaptation. At the same time, the provincial People’s Committee has directed tighter management and designated reserve areas to safeguard resources for future use.

In addition to resources that directly serve socio-economic development, Dong Nai’s forests are considered the “green lungs” of the Southeast, with extensive areas of natural, special-use, and protective forests. Regions such as Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, Cat Tien National Park, and Bu Gia Map National Park hold exceptional biodiversity and genetic conservation value. They also act as a vital carbon absorption area, contributing to ecological balance and green economic development.

In the context of climate change and the depletion of natural resources, renewable and clean energy have become a strategic priority. Among renewable energy forms, solar power holds the greatest potential for Dong Nai.

On average, the province records around 2,400 sunshine hours per year, with solar radiation ranging from 1,700 to 1,900 kWh/m² annually. These are ideal conditions for rooftop solar development, particularly in industrial zones.

Pham Van Cuong, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, noted that under the revised Power Development Plan VIII, Dong Nai is allocated nearly 3,700 MW of solar power capacity by 2030. With more than 80 industrial parks in the planning and thousands of active enterprises, the province’s potential for green and clean energy development is substantial. This aligns with orientations for a just energy transition, clean growth, and emission reduction identified by the Party, State, and Resolution of the 11th Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 tenure.

Furthermore, the province’s diverse topography, ranging from forests and mountains to plains and urban areas, as well as from lakes and lagoons to the country's longest inland river, which flows into the sea, creates a rich ecosystem for tourism.

Destinations such as Cat Tien, Tri An, Suoi Mo, Chua Chan Mountain, Chien Khu D (War Zone D), Ta Thiet, and Ba Ra Mountain serve as distinctive highlights for developing a green tourism network that is linked to history and culture. Dong Nai aims to make tourism a key economic sector, aiming to be professional, modern, and sustainable. This focus encompasses international-standard resorts and conference centers near Long Thanh International Airport, while also promoting digital transformation and a smart tourism ecosystem that is connected to regional development.

Leveraging resource advantages to build a green and prosperous Dong Nai

Natural resources form the foundation of socio-economic development, providing raw materials and energy for production, while ensuring livelihoods and ecological balance for sustainable growth. For Dong Nai, efficient and economical use of these resources is a consistent principle in its planning and socio-economic development policies. This is clearly reaffirmed in the Resolution of the 11th Provincial Party Congress for 2025–2030 tenure.

The resolution identifies two key driving forces for the province’s next phase of development. First, industrial growth focused on attracting new-generation strategic investors, prioritising high-tech, green, and supporting industries. Second, service sector expansion centred on the Long Thanh International Airport Urban Service Complex—envisioned as a new regional growth hub. These driving forces are defined based on the province's advantages in natural resources, transport infrastructure, and existing socio-economic conditions.

Following its merger with Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai now ranks ninth nationwide in land area. Beyond its most valuable asset – land – the province also enjoys rich mineral reserves, abundant surface and groundwater resources, vast forest coverage with high biodiversity, and significant potential for clean, green energy development.

In the field of natural resources and environment, the resolution calls for strengthened management and efficient use of land, minerals, and water; strict enforcement of laws; and timely handling of violations in resource exploitation and environmental protection. It also emphasises sustainable forest development linked with carbon emission reduction, investment in automated environmental monitoring systems, and improved capacity for forecasting, risk management, and climate change adaptation.

According to Nguyen Tuan Anh, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, the 2025–2030 period will focus on five key solution groups: developing ecological, circular and high-tech agriculture; expanding organic farming models; modernising multi-purpose irrigation and agricultural services systems; completing a comprehensive environmental resource database; and training high-quality human resources to support green growth and progress towards net zero.

Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee, affirmed that the province possesses the full range of resource advantages found in the Southeast. Rational and efficient use of these resources is essential to ensure both rapid and sustainable development. Under the provincial master plan, all industrial, agricultural, urban, service, and transport projects must align with the goals of green growth, environmental protection, and climate adaptation.

At the closing session of the 11th Provincial Party Congress for 2025–2030, Vu Hong Van, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Head of the provincial National Assembly delegation, stressed that Dong Nai remains a land of great potential and development opportunities. Therefore, the entire Party Organization, authorities, and people must harness collective strength, mobilize and efficiently utilize all resources, and seize the “golden opportunity” to make breakthroughs, building a green, prosperous, civilized, and modern province that meets the basic criteria of a centrally run city by 2030.

Land, minerals, water, and energy are precious assets that serve as the foundation for the province's socio-economic development. When combined with strategic vision, sound management, and efficient, sustainable exploitation, these resources will provide strong momentum for sustainable growth, improved living standards, and a harmonious balance between economic progress and environmental protection. This is precisely the goal that Dong Nai is steadfastly pursuing, towards green, sustainable development worthy of its role as a dynamic growth hub in the southern key economic region.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by Thuc Oanh, Thu Ha