Transport connectivity: An “open path” for Dong Nai’s key growth pole

Connecting infrastructure to shape development

Dong Nai is in the process of revising its provincial master plan to align with the two-tier local government model and its envisioned role as a regional hub. Under the revised planning framework, transportation is not only physical infrastructure but also a strategic lever to restructure development space and shape a value chain of economy – urbanization – services.

The Vo Nguyen Giap route passing through Phuoc Tan ward, Dong Nai province will be directly connected to the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressway and the elevated National Highway 51.

Transport infrastructure connectivity is the foundation for realizing Dong Nai’s vision of becoming a green, modern province deeply integrated into regional and international networks.

Developing modern and synchronized infrastructure

Dong Nai is urgently removing bottlenecks in its transport network to achieve dual goals: effectively leveraging advantages to spur socio-economic growth while building a modern and synchronized infrastructure system. The areas prioritized by the provincial government for infrastructure investment and connectivity are industrial parks, urban areas, seaports and airports. At the same time, it is upgrading provincial roads and intra-regional routes to optimize the operations of newly built expressways and ring roads, thereby strengthening links between major projects such as Ring Road No.3, the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressway and bridges connecting with Ho Chi Minh City.

The Provincial National Assembly Delegation inspects planning and land-use arrangements at a forthcoming urban development project in Tran Bien ward.

The province is also coordinating in the rollout of transport and logistics infrastructure projects in line with the Southern key economic region’s master plan.

According to the Provincial People’s Committee, 13 road projects connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Dong Nai are under implementation, including seven projects spanning the two provinces, five located entirely within Ho Chi Minh City, and one in Dong Nai.

As for railways, five routes connecting the two localities (two urban railways and three national rail routes) and 45 road-rail connection points are included in current planning (14 in operation, 13 under development and 18 in the pipeline). Notable projects include extending the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien metro line to the Dong Nai administrative center and Long Thanh International Airport; the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau railway; and a rail link connecting Tan Son Nhat International Airport with Long Thanh International Airport.

The eco-urban area in Long Hung ward, Dong Nai province

Inland waterways are being used, yet their efficiency remains limited.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee (PPC) and Head of Dong Nai National Assembly Delegation Vu Hong Van said that synchronized transport connectivity with Ho Chi Minh City is essential for both localities to grow together. He stressed the need to promptly study and implement additional transport projects beyond the three existing modes (road, rail and waterway), such as high-speed rail and interprovincial bridges, to better meet mobility demand, reduce travel time and especially narrow the distance between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang noted that following administrative restructuring, both Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai possess major potential and advantages for development. The two localities must frankly acknowledge existing challenges and work closely toward joint solutions for the benefit of the region as a whole.

Forming an urban – industrial – logistics corridor

The eco-urban area in Long Hung ward, Dong Nai province

As a strategic growth corridor bringing together all essential elements of transportation, industry, urban development, services and ecological assets, the Southern Dong Nai area is oriented toward forming a long-term urban – industrial – logistics belt.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Planning Institute, Dong Nai’s connectivity strategy should focus on three levels: intra-provincial, inter-regional and international. At the intra-provincial level, the province needs to link urban areas and key economic zones along a north-south axis, forming an integrated transport network.

At the inter-regional level, it should strengthen linkages with Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Dong, building an urban-industrial chain from the lowland to the Central Highland, thereby consolidating Dong Nai’s role as a transport hub, attracting investment and sharing economic functions with major urban areas. At the international level, Long Thanh International Airport serves as the nucleus, enabling the province to evolve into a major aviation transit center for the region. Multimodal connectivity from aviation, and maritime to international road transport across the three levels will help Dong Nai deeply integrate into regional and global value chains, laying the groundwork for sustainable development.

Meanwhile, a research group from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City suggested that Dong Nai’s spatial development strategy should emphasize building a key economic zone, establishing strategic economic corridors, zoning specialized development areas, completing connectivity infrastructure and developing eco-friendly riverside urban design. This would help position Dong Nai as an internationally oriented logistics and industrial-service hub, and a sustainable “Smart Region” balancing economic growth, social development and environmental protection.

Dong Nai is accelerating the development of a smart and synchronized transport network aimed at effective regional linkage. The province is applying digital technology in traffic management and logistics operations to optimize cargo flows, reduce congestion and strengthen interconnection.

Meanwhile, it plans to invest in modern public transport routes such as metro lines, bus rapid transit and light rail ….connecting urban areas, seaports and Long Thanh Airport, creating new momentum for urban and regional economic development.

Clearing pathways for a breakthrough growth pole

The ecological urban project in Tan Van islet, Bien Hoa ward.

In the revision of the Provincial planning, Dong Nai places its transport infrastructure in an organic relation to urban, industrial, residential and public-service planning, ensuring synchronized, efficient and sustainable development.

Its consistent viewpoint is that people are placed at the center. Infrastructure investment not only facilitates mobility but also enhances quality of life and access to services. Localities still facing constraints will receive comprehensive investment in both technical and social infrastructure. The province is determined to build a green and modern transport system that is environmentally friendly, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and opens pathways for breakthrough growth in strategic areas.

Many experts contributing feedback to Dong Nai’s revised planning share the view that synchronized investment in transport infrastructure acts as a “runway” for breakthrough development. Once expressways, ring roads and river-crossing bridges are completed, Dong Nai will become a strategic connectivity hub between Ho Chi Minh City and the Central Highland. Seamless transport corridors serving industrial parks, urban areas, seaports and airports will unlock investment efficiency, expand development space and drive economic restructuring toward a greener and more modern model.

Transport connectivity can be seen as the “key” unlocking comprehensive development in economy, urbanization, society and human well-being. When this connectivity puzzle is effectively solved, Southern Dong Nai will emerge as a strategic growth zone and a driving-force urban area for the province and the Southeast region. This forms the foundation for realizing the province’s vision of becoming green, modern and deeply integrated into regional and international networks. Within this framework, Phuoc Tan and Long Hung wards with completed legal procedures and internal infrastructure for several urban projects are expected to become a new urban center with outstanding development potential.

By P.V – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha