Young officials from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia conduct field study in Dong Nai

On August 23, a joint delegation of young officials from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) visited Dong Nai City for a field study.

The Vietnamese delegation included Nguyen Minh Triet, Alternate Member of the CPV Central Committee, Permanent Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and Head of the delegation; Associate Prof. Dr.  Nguyen Manh Hung, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council; and the delegation’s other members.

The Lao delegation was led by Bounthavy Sorsoukanh, Alternate Member of the LPRP Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Phongsaly Provincial Party Committee.

The Cambodian delegation was led by Khut Chandara, Member of the CPP Central Committee, Deputy Secretary General of the Commission for Mass Mobilization, Permanent Member of the CPP's Central Youth Committee and Member of the National Assembly.

Dong Nai City’s leaders receiving and working with the joint delegation included Thai Bao, Deputy Secretary of the Dong Nai City Party Committee (CPC) and Head of the CPC's Organization Commission; Dang Minh Nguyet, Member of the CPC’s Standing Board and Permanent Deputy Chairwoman of the City People's Council; Duong Minh Dung, Member of the CPC’s Standing Board and Head of the CPC's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization; Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of the CPC and Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee; and other leaders.

Dong Nai values and proactively cultivates friendly and cooperative relations with localities in Laos and Cambodia

On behalf of the Party Committee, government, and people of Dong Nai City, Thai Bao, Deputy Secretary of the CPC and Head of the CPC's Organization Commission, delivered a welcoming speech to the joint delegation of young officials from the CPV, the LPRP and the CPP during their fact-finding trip to the city.

Thai Bao, Deputy Secretary of the CPC and Head of the CPC's Organization Commission, delivers a welcoming speech. Photo: Phuong Hang

Thai Bao stated clearly that the relationship among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia is a relationship of solidarity, traditional friendship and cooperation, forged in the history of the struggle for national independence, tested through difficult years and constantly nurtured by previous generations. For Vietnam, preserving and developing this relationship is not only a foreign policy requirement but also, first of all, a matter of affection, responsibility and respect for history. In the context of a rapidly changing world, complex strategic competition, technology boom, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and non-traditional challenges (climate change, water security, epidemics, etc.), the three countries' efforts to strengthen solidarity, trust and cooperation become even more strategically important. Therefore, today’s meeting, exchanges and experience-sharing constitute a direct investment in the future of the three countries' relations.

Thai Bao, Deputy Secretary of the CPC and Head of the CPC's Organization Commission, presents souvenir gifts to representatives of the joint delegation. Photo: Phuong Hang

Dong Nai City always values and proactively cultivates friendly and cooperative relations with localities in Laos and Cambodia. Currently, Dong Nai maintains close relations with six provinces of the Kingdom of Cambodia – Kratie, Mondulkiri, Tboung Khmum, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, and Stung Treng – as well as friendly and cooperative relations with localities in southern Laos – Champasak, Salavan, Attapeu, and Sekong. Dong Nai regularly maintains and develops substantive and effective cooperative relations with Laos and Cambodia across many fields.

Notably, in 2026, in its relations with Cambodia, Dong Nai City signed memoranda of understanding with six Cambodian provinces – Kratie, Mondulkiri, Tboung Khmum, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, and Stung Treng – during the working visit with the high-level delegation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Kingdom of Cambodia, witnessed by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and President of the CPP Hun Sen on February 6, 2026, and has since been effectively implementing it. At the same time, Dong Nai regularly maintains delegation exchanges and cooperation in economic, educational, medical, and cultural development, particularly cooperation in protecting a peaceful and friendly border.

For Laos, Dong Nai City and Champasak province have re-signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for the 2026-2030 period. The two sides regularly maintain delegation exchanges and development cooperation, particularly in education and health.

Thai Bao emphasized that, based on practical cooperation between Dong Nai and localities in Laos and Cambodia, Dong Nai has come to realize more deeply that friendly relations are truly sustainable only when they are built on concrete actions, trust between organizations and localities, and, especially, affection between the people of each country. Every Lao or Cambodian student in Dong Nai serves as an ambassador of friendship and a bridge between Vietnam and their home country, while every young cadre today will become one of those who continue to cultivate relations among the three countries for decades to come. Therefore, Dong Nai highly values exchange activities among young officials of the three Parties. This represents the continuation and transfer of historical responsibility between generations in preserving and promoting Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia solidarity.

"During your visit to Dong Nai this time, I hope you will gain more practical insights into the building of the Party and the political system, socio-economic development, and efforts to care for the lives of the people of Dong Nai City; and, at the same time, gain new perspectives and experiences that can be referenced and discussed in the course of your work in each country. In doing so, you will contribute to strengthening understanding and trust among young officials of the three Parties and bringing the cooperative relationship among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to a deeper, more practical, and more effective level," said he.

The year 2027 marks many important historical milestones in relations among the three countries: 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos, 50 years since the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cambodia. For Dong Nai, 2027 also marks the 50th anniversary of former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's journey to find a way to overthrow the Pol Pot genocidal regime at the X16 historical site in the border area between Dong Nai City and Tboung Khmum province. These are not merely commemorative events but also occasions to look back on a journey marked by historical imprints, to express gratitude to generations who sacrificed and contributed to solidarity among the three nations, and thereby define the responsibilities of today’s generation more clearly. Dong Nai City will continue to coordinate practical activities marking these important milestones and strengthen its relations with localities in Laos and Cambodia in a more practical, effective, and in-depth manner that brings concrete benefits to the people.

Thai Bao emphasized, "History has given us the extremely precious heritage of Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia solidarity. The responsibility of today's generation, especially the generation of young officials, is to continue to preserve and promote that heritage, translating historical solidarity into concrete, practical cooperation programs for the peace, stability, and development of each country and the region. With the attention of the leaders of the three Parties and three States, and the enthusiasm and responsibility of the young cadre generation, the Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia relationship will increasingly develop in a substantive and sustainable manner. The solidarity and friendship of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia will endure forever."

Dong Nai aims to become an important growth pole of Vietnam

Following the welcoming remarks by the Dong Nai City leader, the joint delegation of young officials from the three Parties listened to Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of the CPC and Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee, brief them on Dong Nai's socio-economic development.

Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of the CPC and Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee, reports on Dong Nai's socio-economic situation. Photo: Phuong Hang

In the first six months of 2026, Dong Nai’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) grew by 9.81% compared with the same period last year, approaching the 10% growth target for the whole of 2026. Total state budget revenue reached nearly VND70 trillion, equivalent to 70% of the annual estimate. Public investment capital disbursement reached 58% of the assigned capital plan. Domestic investment attraction exceeded VND860 trillion, equivalent to 538% of the 2026 annual plan. Foreign investment attraction exceeded USD1.8 billion, equivalent to 62% of the 2026 annual plan.

To date, 51 countries and territories have investment projects in Dong Nai City, including Cambodia, which has three projects totaling USD8.48 million in investment capital. There are no investment projects by Lao investors in Dong Nai City. Cambodian enterprises investing in Dong Nai are assessed as operating effectively, strictly complying with laws and standards on technology, the environment, and social responsibility, and making important contributions to Dong Nai City's socio-economic development. Attention has been given to and measures implemented in such fields as culture, tourism, health, education, and social security. National defense and security are maintained.

The joint delegation’s leaders and Dong Nai City officials pose for a commemorative photo. Photo: Phuong Hang

The joint delegation’s members and Dong Nai City officials pose for a commemorative photo. Photo: Phuong Hang

Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang emphasized that on July 21, 2026, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 16-NQ/TW on the construction and development of Dong Nai City by 2035, with a vision to 2065, determining that Dong Nai will develop according to the airport city model, with Long Thanh International Airport at its core. The resolution opens an entirely new chapter of development, making Dong Nai an important growth pole of the nation.

In the coming period, Dong Nai will focus on implementing socio-economic development goals, targets, and tasks in accordance with the Resolution of the CPC’s Executive Board and the action program of the City People's Committee on launching the special 500-day-and-night emulation campaign themed “Unity – Discipline – Efficiency – Breakthrough, building a civilized and modern Dong Nai." The city will focus on removing difficulties and obstacles and improving the business and investment environment; supporting enterprises in recovering and expanding production; promoting exports and developing trade, services, and tourism; promoting domestic and foreign investment attraction; striving to achieve 100% disbursement of public investment capital as planned; and aiming for 2026 budget revenue of VND150 trillion. Dong Nai will implement the city's master plan with a 100-year vision while accelerating the progress of zoning plans and planning for functional areas, and effectively implementing urban development projects, industrial park infrastructure, centralized digital technology zones, and strategic infrastructure projects in accordance with approved plans.

Delegates exchange views at the working session. Photo: Phuong Hang

At the meeting, the joint delegation of young officials from the CPV, the LPRP and the CPP learned more about experiences in attracting foreign investment, local governance following administrative mergers, and organizing the apparatus under the two-tier local government model in Dong Nai.

Associate Prof. Dr.  Nguyen Manh Hung, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, speaks at the meeting. Photo: Phuong Hang

On behalf of the joint delegation of young officials from the CPV, the LPRP and the CPP, Associate Prof. Dr.  Nguyen Manh Hung, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, respectfully thanked the leaders of Dong Nai City for sharing useful information with the delegation.

By Phuong Hang – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha