Dong Nai keeps its doors wide open to welcome new waves of Japanese investment

During a series of investment promotion activities in Japan in late September 2025, a working delegation from Dong Nai Province, led by Pham Viet Phuong, Deputy Head in charge of the Management Board of Industrial and Economic Zones of Dong Nai Province and concurrently in charge of the Japan Desk, held a number of important working sessions in Hyogo – Kobe, Kansai, and Aichi – Nagoya.

This strategic move underlines Dong Nai’s strong determination to attract high-tech, green, and sustainable industries from Japan – one of the province’s leading and most trusted investors.

From Kansai–Hyogo to Aichi–Nagoya: Building connection for take-off

Hyogo Prefecture, one of Japan’s major industrial centres, boasts a GRDP of nearly USD 190 billion and diversified strengths ranging from steel, shipbuilding, and chemicals to aviation equipment, power turbines, and railway components.

At a working session with Hyogo Prefecture and Kobe City authorities, Ensou Manji, Director of the Hyogo Enterprise Development Centre, noted that Vietnam is now one of the top destinations of interest for Hyogo-based enterprises. To date, 13 Hyogo firms have invested in Dong Nai, including six located in Long Duc Industrial Park.

The Dong Nai working delegation takes a group photo with representatives of Hyogo–Kobe and Jetro Kobe authorities. Photo: Huu Duc

Pham Viet Phuong, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Industrial and Economic Zones of Dong Nai Province, and concurrently in charge of the Japan Desk shared that following the merger with Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai has expanded its industrial space with 15 new industrial parks (over 10,000 hectares) and 26 additional planned zones (over 20,000 hectares), oriented towards green, smart, and eco-industrial development. Both sides agreed to jointly organise a Hyogo–Dong Nai Green Industrial Park Development seminar in November 2025, and to consider signing a tripartite memorandum of understanding between Hyogo, the Japan Desk, and Dong Nai’s infrastructure developers to facilitate investment.

In a meeting with the Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI-Kansai), both parties reached a consensus on maintaining a regular cooperation mechanism between METI-Kansai and the Japan Desk to connect enterprises from both countries in the fields of supporting industries, environmental technology, and renewable energy.

Overview of the meeting between the Dong Nai delegation and METI-Kansai. Photo: Huu Duc

Tsuji Atsushi, Director of the International Business Department, affirmed that the visit further deepens the long-standing cooperation between Kansai and Dong Nai, built upon over 50 years of Vietnam–Japan relations.

Both sides agreed to hold an annual business exchange conference and to promote investment by Kansai enterprises in Dong Nai, particularly in aviation, supporting industries, and green supply chains.

At Aeromart Nagoya 2025 – a leading B2B event for the aerospace supply chain – the Dong Nai delegation met with dozens of international manufacturers, including Airbus Helicopters Japan, to introduce the strategy for developing the aerospace industrial subzone in Dong Nai – with a planned allocation of 100–300 hectares for component production and technical maintenance.

Working with the Aichi Prefecture – Japan’s largest industrial hub with a GRDP of USD 334 billion, the delegation and local authorities agreed to collaborate on human resource training and attract aviation, automotive, and semiconductor enterprises to invest in Dong Nai’s new industrial parks.

Le Nu Thuy Duong, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of KN Holdings, stated that the company is developing Xuan Que – Song Nhan, Tan Hiep – Bau Can, and Long Duc 3 Industrial Parks, covering a total area of over 2,000 hectares, ready to welcome Japanese investors in high-tech and green industries.

Connection and action

The meetings in Hyogo – Kansai – Aichi were not merely symbolic; they laid substantive groundwork for Dong Nai’s attraction of new-generation investment.

From the government level (green policy cooperation) to promotion agencies (JETRO, METI, ANAC) and enterprises (KN Holdings, Sojitz, Long Duc), multi-layered connections have been established, providing a solid foundation for turning cooperation ideas into tangible projects and factories.

Pham Viet Phuong emphasised: “Dong Nai not only welcomes investors but also accompanies them to turn commitments into action. The province is fully prepared with available land funds, infrastructure, and a clear support mechanism.”

Deputy Head in charge of the Management Board of Industrial and Economic Zones of Dong Nai Province and concurrently in charge of the Japan Desk, exchanges views with Japanese partners. Photo: Huu Duc

More than a trip for investment promotion, Dong Nai’s presence in Japan conveyed a clear message of strategic vision and global ambition. The province is steadily asserting its role as a centre for industry, logistics, and innovation in the Southeast region, while emerging as a trusted destination for Japanese enterprises in the era of green industry and high-tech integration.

When trust, infrastructure, and vision come together

Japan currently has more than 288 investment projects in Dong Nai, with a total capital of nearly USD 6 billion, making it one of the province’s largest and most reliable investors. Beyond the manufacturing sector, Japanese enterprises are expanding into trade, services, logistics, and urban infrastructure, contributing to forming a sustainable production–consumption–export value chain and laying a vital foundation for Dong Nai’s long-term growth in the new period.

Masaya Ueda, Secretary General of the Japanese Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City, observed: "Among ASEAN countries, the Japanese Business Association in Vietnam has the highest rate of membership growth. This reflects the confidence of Japanese enterprises in Vietnam's investment environment. Dong Nai, in particular, stands out thanks to its convenient transport connectivity, low disaster risk, and developed industrial infrastructure – all supporting long-term cooperation."

Production line at YKK Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Nhon Trach Industrial Park. Photo: Hien Vuong

According to Ueda, a major breakthrough is on the horizon: once Long Thanh International Airport becomes operational, connectivity between Vietnam and Japan will be more convenient than ever. This will be a major boost for Japanese investors to expand not only in industrial manufacturing but also in services, logistics, and urban development in Dong Nai.

Production line at Toshiba Industrial Products Co., Ltd., Amata Industrial Park. Photo: Hien Vuong

Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee, stated: “Japan is not only an economic partner but also a strategic companion in Dong Nai’s development journey. The province is committed to preparing clean industrial land and comprehensive logistics infrastructure linked with Long Thanh International Airport, along with a one-stop mechanism of the Japan Desk to support investors. We aim to attract green, high-tech, and high value-added industries that contribute to the sustainable growth of the province.”

The alignment between leadership commitment, infrastructure readiness, and investor confidence is creating new momentum for Vietnam–Japan cooperation in Dong Nai. More than an investment destination, Dong Nai is emerging as a strategic partner, where Vietnam and Japan grow together, create value together, and move toward a shared vision of “Green industry – High technology – Sustainable prosperity.”

DONG NAI – JAPAN COOPERATION:

• 13 Hyogo enterprises are investing in Dong Nai, including six in Long Duc Industrial Park.
• Dong Nai is preparing 15 new industrial parks (10,000 hectares) and 26 planned zones (20,000 hectares) to welcome investors.
• Seminar on the cooperation and development of Hyogo–Dong Nai Green Industrial Park is slated for November 2025.
• Aeromart Nagoya 2025: Over 400 companies from 20 countries, with 5,000 B2B meetings.
• Dong Nai aims to become Vietnam’s green industrial and aviation hub, associated with Long Thanh International Airport.

By Hien Vuong, Huu Duc – Translated by Thuc Oanh, Thu Ha