Accelerating the digital economy pillar

The digital economy includes both industries that support it (core digital economy industries) and sectors supported by it (digitized economy industries). Apart from the core digital economy industries, several other sectors, including wholesale and retail trade using digital technology (e-commerce) and financial service activities, have high digital economy value-added.

Pham Van Trinh, Member of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Science and Technology (now Member of the Dong Nai City Party Committee and Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology), visits a booth displaying digital technology and innovation products at Techfest Dong Nai 2025.

The process of building and developing the digital economy has contributed to the socio-economic growth of localities, including Dong Nai City, while enhancing competitiveness and promoting digital transformation, science and technology, and innovation.

Accelerating digital transformation in production and consumption

Located in the Southern key economic region, Dong Nai has long been recognized as one of Vietnam’s major industrial hubs. In response to the demands of integration and development, many enterprises and manufacturing facilities in the city are focusing on applying digital transformation and Industry 4.0 technologies in management and modern production lines.

Nestlé is among the 10 largest foreign direct investment enterprises in Dong Nai. The company has built one of the country’s leading coffee production and processing value chains and has become a pioneer in promoting digital transformation and the application of technology in production in the city.

In Dong Nai, the e-commerce market continues to expand, with consumers increasingly adopting digital technology for online shopping. Notably, the city has consistently ranked among the top 10 localities nationwide in the e-commerce index for many consecutive years.

Khuat Quang Hung, Deputy General Director in charge of External Affairs and Communications at Nestlé Vietnam Limited, said that digital transformation in production plays an important role for enterprises today. Dong Nai has significant advantages and potential for developing modern and sustainable industries. The company expects Dong Nai City to continue promoting the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, while introducing additional programs to support enterprises in advancing digital transformation and applying technology in production.

Amid the global economy’s strong transition toward a growth model driven by knowledge and technology, science and technology, digital transformation, and innovation have become key drivers of productivity, quality, and competitiveness. One of the important solutions is to strengthen linkages between technology supply and demand and promote the commercialization of products in science and technology, digital transformation, and innovation, thereby contributing to the development of the local digital economy.

Nguyen Thanh Hien, a representative of Iloka Technology Joint Stock Company in Long Khanh ward, said that the company was established as a startup operating a food delivery application model in its hometown. From Long Khanh, the company is nurturing bigger plans and ready to expand its operations to other localities in Dong Nai, particularly super wards such as Tran Bien and Tam Hiep. In addition, the company plans to promote local specialty fruits and agricultural products through online platforms.

Nguyen Duc Lenh, Deputy Director of the State Bank of Vietnam’s Region 2 Branch:

Promoting digital banking development in line with the orientation of digital economy development

Innovation and creativity in developing digital banking products by credit institutions in Dong Nai, where many banks have introduced modern, convenient, safe, and secure payment services, have not only contributed to expanding and improving the efficiency of non-cash payment activities but also enhanced the efficiency of capital use across the entire economy.

In particular, the convenience of digital banking services such as card payments, electronic money transfers, Internet banking, mobile banking, and QR code payments has brought practical benefits to residents and businesses in the city. This has created momentum for expanding non-cash payment activities and promoting digital banking development in line with the orientation of digital economy development in Dong Nai.

Le Hung Nam, Solutions Director at HPE Vietnam Company (headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City):

A favorable foundation for the development of logistics, transportation, and digital technology

Dong Nai has significant potential and advantages for the development of smart urban areas and digital transformation, particularly following its transition to city status. With an extensive system of industrial parks, strong capacity to attract foreign direct investment, and strategic infrastructure projects such as Long Thanh International Airport, Dong Nai has a solid foundation for developing logistics, smart transportation, and digital technology.

In the coming period, Dong Nai needs to prioritize the training of a workforce capable of accessing, operating, and effectively utilizing technology platforms supporting smart city governance, thereby advancing the local digital transformation process.

Enhancing competitiveness in the digital era

Dong Nai is promoting comprehensive and in-depth digital transformation across key sectors, including processing and manufacturing industries, aimed at developing smart and high-productivity production; logistics and transport infrastructure, with a focus on smart logistics connecting border gates, seaports, and railways; and high-tech agriculture. At the same time, the city is accelerating digital transformation in smart city development, trade and services, finance and banking, and piloting low-altitude economic models. Dong Nai will also prioritize the development and sharing of a local open data repository to support enterprises in accessing data for innovation activities.

Dong Nai aims for the digital economy to contribute more than 30% of the locality’s GRDP by 2030. One of the key breakthrough projects is the completion and operation of the Long Thanh Centralized Digital Technology Park, with the goal of positioning Dong Nai as a regional hub for data transit and processing (digital hub). In the coming period, the city’s science and technology sector will focus on attracting investment in strategic technologies such as semiconductors, green data centers, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing. In addition, the sector will promote the application of digital technology in production to develop smart industrial parks and logistics systems.

Pham Van Trinh, Member of the City Party Committee

and Director of the Department of Science and Technology

Pham Van Trinh, Member of the City Party Committee and Director of the Department of Science and Technology, stated that to build a solid foundation and affirm Dong Nai’s position as the country’s seventh city, the city’s science and technology sector has identified the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as key drivers of growth and transforming the development model in the coming period. In particular, the Long Thanh Concentrated Digital Technology Zone, the High-Tech Park, and the Innovation Zone associated with the Long Thanh Airport urban area will serve as “breakthrough nuclei,” helping position Dong Nai on the regional and global digital technology map.

Tran Thanh Nam, Director of the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) – Dong Nai Branch in Tran Bien ward, said the branch always views its mission not only as providing financial services but also as accompanying partners in implementing the Government’s digital transformation policy, thereby contributing to the local socio-economic development.

Many experts believe that Dong Nai has significant potential and advantages in attracting investment into digital economy sectors. Developing the digital economy will help the locality boost socio-economic development, enhance competitiveness, and accelerate digital transformation, science and technology, and innovation processes.

Abraham Nguyen Quang Huy, Vice Chairman of the National Startup Association and President of 9S UNION (Global Economic Union), said that once Long Thanh International Airport becomes fully operational, Dong Nai City will gain not only additional transport infrastructure but also a new development space for aviation economy, logistics, technology, creative services, and startup models with regional and global connectivity.

With its advantages and development foundation, the locality should prioritize advantageous sectors such as smart industry, logistics technology, environmental technology, high-tech agriculture, new materials, and digital transformation for manufacturing enterprises. At the same time, Dong Nai needs to strongly develop data infrastructure, testing spaces, and technology commercialization support centers.

By Hai Quan – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha