Diversifying Dong Nai’s tourism products

(ĐN) – Dong Nai province is capitalizing on its unique local strengths to expand and diversify its tourism products, routes, and experiences. With an eye on attracting investment and boosting its profile as a dynamic destination, the province is taking strategic steps to revamp its tourism landscape.

Among Dong Nai’s well-known destinations is the Buu Long tourist area, a favorite among locals and visitors alike. In addition to its rich natural and cultural offerings, Dong Nai benefits from a large internal tourism market, thanks to hundreds of thousands of workers living and working in the province, creating momentum for establishing a distinctive local tourism brand.

Buu Long tourist area, one of Dong Nai's most popular destinations.

Leveraging local advantages

Dong Nai is currently the site of multiple nationally significant infrastructure projects, including the Long Thanh international airport and major expressways like Gia Nghia–Chon Thanh, HCMC–Thu Dau Mot–Chon Thanh, and Bien Hoa–Vung Tau. These projects offer Dong Nai unparalleled connectivity and potential for socio-economic growth, particularly in tourism.

The province also boasts hundreds of historic relics, temples, and heritage sites, including the National Historic site of the Tau O blockade victory, the Special National site of the Southern Liberation Army Headquarters (Ta Thiet Base), the legendary D battlefield, Bu Gia Map and Cat Tien national parks, the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, the S’tieng Bom Bo Ethnic Culture Preservation area, and eco-tourism sites like Son Tien, My Le, and Bu Lach grasslands.

In 2025, Dong Nai tourism is operating under the theme: “Dong Nai tourism takes flight with aviation.” The province aims to welcome more than 5.9 million visitors this year.

To preserve and unlock these tourism assets, local travel operators are working to develop new, locally distinctive tourism products. Truong Dinh Khanh, Director of Thanh Nien Agricultural Service Cooperative in Hang Gon ward, expressed hope that the post-merger provincial structure will bring new opportunities. Operating a glamping site in the region’s fruit capital, he anticipates stronger regional linkages between local destinations in the near future.

Tapping untapped potential

The Dong Nai Tourism Association recently hosted a meeting to finalize its merger with Binh Phuoc’s tourism association. The event offered a platform for local tourism businesses, travel agencies, and destinations to network, share ideas, and co-create new products.

Association President Tran Dang Ninh stated that merging the two associations aligns with Dong Nai’s current tourism development trajectory and ensures sustained coordination across the sector. The process, he noted, is being carried out in a transparent and democratic manner, consistent with Party and State policies.

He also highlighted several upcoming initiatives, including the creation of a digital map showcasing Dong Nai’s culinary hotspots to boost food tourism. He encouraged travel businesses to develop new tours linking destinations across both Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc, such as cross-border exploration routes, revolutionary heritage trails, and digitalized tourism experiences. Additionally, Mr. Ninh underscored the importance of investing in workforce training and capacity building for the industry.

From Binh Phuoc’s perspective, former Association Chairman Pham Huong Son emphasized Dong Nai’s vast tourism growth potential. He advocated for integrating sports and tourism to further elevate the province’s brand in this new era. Sports tourism, he suggested, could serve as a powerful promotional tool and help attract more investment to the sector.

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vu Xuan Truong reaffirmed the province’s commitment to achieving double-digit tourism growth. The department, he said, is actively pushing forward initiatives to contribute to the province’s broader development goals. He called on travel businesses to work collaboratively, innovate boldly, and help shape a tourism identity rooted in Dong Nai’s post-merger strengths.

In this pivotal period, building a diverse, recognizable, and competitive tourism brand is no longer optional, it’s a strategic necessity. Dong Nai is rising to the challenge.

Reported by N. Lien