Developing a synchronized and modern transport infrastructure

One of the breakthrough tasks highlighted in the Draft Political Report for submission to the first Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term is to focus on developing a diverse, synchronized, and modern transport infrastructure system for intra-provincial, intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity.

Comrade Vu Hong Van (second from right), Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, and Comrade Vo Tan Duc (third from right), Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, conduct a field inspection on the development of urban and transport projects in Long Thanh Commune. Photo: Cong Nghia

Efforts are being made to develop a synchronized and modern transport infrastructure, which promises to be a spring-board for Dong Nai in the new era.

The current state of transport in Dong Nai

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Phu, Deputy Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, remarked: Dong Nai province boasts a convenient transport system with many national arterial routes passing through, such as National Highway 1, National Highway 20, National Highway 51, and the North–South railway. It is also close to Saigon port and Tan Son Nhat airport, creating favorable conditions for regional economic activities as well as nationwide trade, while playing a key role in linking the Southeast region with the Central Highlands. In addition, major projects like the North–South high-speed railway, the North–South expressway, the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressway, and Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 3 also pass through Dong Nai. The province further benefits from a port network including inland waterway ports, Dong Nai seaports, inland container depots (ICD), logistics centers, and border gates.

With its strategic location in the Southern Key Economic Region, the development and connectivity of the transport system has facilitated the circulation of goods, investment attraction, and expansion of the economic space. Roadways, expressways, railways, and ports also help reduce logistics costs, shorten delivery times, enhance business competitiveness, and increase capacity for international economic integration.

Transport infrastructure also acts as a catalyst for the establishment of industrial zones, new urban areas, and commercial-service centers, contributing to the transformation of the province’s socio-economic landscape.

The development of transport infrastructure has expanded Dong Nai’s economic growth space, enabling the province to effectively leverage its land potential, labor resources, and strategic location. Through interregional and international connections, goods produced in the province’s industrial zones can quickly reach both domestic and foreign markets, attracting investment in processing industries, exports, logistics, services, and trade. This is a key factor in helping Dong Nai maintain its role as a growth engine in the Southern Key Economic Region.

Alongside industry, the trade - service sector in Dong Nai has also made great strides in recent years, thanks to direct support from the transport infrastructure system. The establishment and upgrading of arterial transport routes has paved the way for the rise of trade centers, warehouses, supermarkets, and modern retail outlets.

Transport infrastructure not only enhances the efficient use of land resources but also serves as a driving force for the development of urban and industrial spaces in Dong Nai.

In the context of globalization and the strong shift of value chains, the development of a synchronized and modern transport infrastructure system has become even more urgent in order to enhance national competitiveness and promote sustainable growth. 

Creating a breakthrough in transport infrastructure

Also according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Quang Phu, alongside its positive contributions, Dong Nai’s transport system still faces limitations that may hinder economic and trade growth. Traffic congestion on inter-regional routes, the lack of synchronization among different modes of transport, and the deterioration of certain local roads have raised transportation costs and affected the competitiveness of goods.

In addition, inadequate planning and slow implementation of key projects remain obstacles to fully tapping the potential of existing transport infrastructure.

To effectively carry out the breakthrough task of transport infrastructure development in the next 5 years, as stated in the Draft Political Report for the first Provincial Party Congress, Dong Nai needs to focus on developing a synchronized and modern transport network that effectively connects all modes of transportation, including roads, railways, aviation, and inland waterways. This requires efforts to expedite major transport projects, invest in railway transport for logistics, expand public transport, modernize transport management, and develop modern logistics infrastructure and automated ports. Accordingly, the province should proactively increase the share of public investment, aiming to allocate about 8–10% of GDP to transport infrastructure development, while promoting investment under Public–Private Partnership mode for large-scale projects such as expressways and railways connecting ports and airports.

Secretary of the Trang Dai ward Party Committee Phan Quang Tuan shared that he highly values the content on developing a diverse, synchronized and modern transport infrastructure system for intra-provincial, intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity as one of Dong Nai’s breakthroughs for the 2025–2030 term.

Tuan emphasized: To realize this breakthrough mission, investment should not be limited to macro- or national-level projects but must also focus on intra-regional transport. Without adequate investment, the next 5–10 years may see little change in intra-regional traffic. Congestion in densely populated and urban areas will indirectly contribute to negative impacts and stress for commuters. Paying attention to investing in intra- and inter-regional transport also contributes to improving the quality of life for residents.

Comrade Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, stated: In the coming time, Dong Nai will focus on building a synchronized and modern infrastructure system, particularly connected transport infrastructure and inland waterway networks; coordinating the development of expressway and ring road networks; and creating integrated connectivity among industrial parks, airports, border gates, remote areas, and ethnic minority communities, serving socio-economic development while ensuring national defense and security.

By: Phuong Hang

Translated by: Quynh Giao - Thu Ha