Growing sense of pride in Dong Nai homeland

In recent days, across central and local media, on street corners and during family meals, discussions have been filled with the topical issue of Dong Nai becoming a centrally governed city.

The first official flight lands at Long Thanh International Airport on December 19, 2025. Photo: Cong Nghia

This upcoming event has stirred strong emotions and a profound sense of pride among officials, Party members, and all strata of society in Dong Nai.

Affirming Dong Nai’s new status

M.A., Pham Thi Huong, Deputy Head of the Office Branch under the Dong Nai Association for Intellectual Women, shared, “During these historic April days, marking the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, Dong Nai people feel an even deeper pride as their homeland prepares to become a centrally governed city. Recently, the news that Dong Nai has been recognized as a first-class urban area and is moving toward centrally governed city status has become a trending topic across social media platforms. I personally follow these updates daily and feel immensely proud of Dong Nai’s breakthrough transformation.”

According to Huong, Dong Nai’s growth momentum and economic potential have consistently been rated highly both regionally and nationwide. Modern industrial parks, Long Thanh International Airport, and increasingly synchronized transport and urban infrastructure continue to reinforce the province’s emerging stature. In addition, the scenic Dong Nai River, silk ribbon-like road networks, lush nature reserves, and fruit-laden orchards all represent promising development assets. For Dong Nai, attaining centrally governed city status is not merely a source of pride and confidence for its people, but also a testament to collective determination to build, preserve, and promote a Dong Nai that is dynamic, friendly, and robust across all dimensions.

Phan Thanh Tu, a Party member from the Party Cell of Pou Sung Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Trang Bom commune, expressed that after following press coverage of the group discussion held on April 20 during the first session of the 16th National Assembly regarding the proposal to establish Dong Nai city, an overwhelming sense of pride of the hometown rises in his heart. National Assembly deputies also highly appreciated Dong Nai’s geopolitical and economic position.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Do Thanh Binh, Minister of Home Affairs, while presenting the proposal to the National Assembly, affirmed that throughout its development trajectory, Dong Nai has effectively leveraged its advantages in geographic location, historical legacy, national defense and security, culture, and society. As a result, it has become one of the country’s leading localities in terms of economic scale.

Dong Nai currently serves as a key connectivity hub between Ho Chi Minh City and key development corridors toward the Central Highlands, the South Central Coast, and the Mekong Delta. Its transport infrastructure system, industry, services, and logistics are being increasingly developed in a synchronized and modern manner, with Long Thanh International Airport under rapid construction.

The Minister of Home Affairs emphasized that the establishment of Dong Nai as a centrally governed city will not only create new growth momentum for the locality but also contribute significantly to the development of the southern region and the nation as a whole.

Once attaining this status, Dong Nai is expected to become a key national growth pole, serving as a regional economic hub and an international gateway, while also emerging as a model of dynamic and modern development, contributing to shaping a new development landscape for the Southeast region.

A strong transformation

Phan Thanh Tu further noted that Dong Nai’s transition to a centrally governed city is not simply a change in administrative name, but rather a strong transformation in governance model and development vision.

The significance of establishing Dong Nai as a centrally governed city was also underscored by Vu Hong Van, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Head of the Dong Nai National Assembly Delegation, at the April 20 discussion during the first session of the 16th National Assembly. According to him, Dong Nai has affirmed its readiness to take on the responsibility of becoming a national growth pole and playing a key role in driving national economic growth.

With a solid socio-economic foundation and comprehensive preparation, the future Dong Nai City is expected to symbolize a civilized, modern, and happy urban center, contributing to a strong and prosperous nation in the new era.

M.A., Pham Thi Huong, Deputy Head of the Office Branch

under the Dong Nai Association for Intellectual Women

Dong Nai’s elevation to centrally governed city status not only fulfills the aspirations of the local Party committee, government, and people, but also creates fresh momentum for the province to contribute more substantially to national prosperity.

Following this transition, Dong Nai aims to prioritize the development of a modern, well-connected transport infrastructure system; establish and operate key development zones, core infrastructure frameworks, and essential functions, laying the groundwork for shaping and advancing the Long Thanh Airport urban area.

By 2035, Dong Nai is expected to become a new national growth engine, evolving into a hub for high-tech industry, logistics, aviation economy, and high-quality services at both national and regional levels, with international competitiveness. The province will follow a riverside, multi-center, multi-functional, green, and smart urban model. Economic development will be closely integrated with socio-cultural advancement and environmental protection, while continuously improving people’s material and spiritual well-being. National defense and security will be firmly maintained, alongside deep international integration, moving toward a globally connected Dong Nai city.

By 2045, Dong Nai is projected to become a modern aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region, a center for knowledge-based economy, and a dynamic growth engine, characterized by high human development standards, advanced urban governance, and a civilized, safe, livable, and happy society.

By 2065, Dong Nai is envisioned as a globally connected city with a high quality of life and well-being, ranking among the world’s leading multi-functional airport cities.

At present, Dong Nai ranks among the most populous localities nationwide in the country and has the fourth-largest economy nationwide, after Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hai Phong.

While the countdown to Dong Nai’s transition to a centrally governed city has begun, the journey of continuous reform still presents numerous challenges ahead. It requires the unity and determination of all officials, Party members, and residents, sharing a common belief that Dong Nai will rise as a young, strong and prosperous city, advancing alongside the nation in the new era.

By Phuong Hang – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha