Dong Nai determines to maintain its position among the nation’s top growth performers

Through decisive and well-defined solutions, Dong Nai’s economy recorded strong growth in 2025, underscoring the province’s determination to remain among the country’s top growth performers.

Secretary of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee (PPC) and Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation Vu Hong Van welcomes Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the inauguration ceremony of Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 Power Plants in Dai Phuoc commune on December 14. Photo: Cong Nghia.

At the Provincial People’s Council session at the end of 2025, Deputy Secretary of the PPC and Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Van Ut stated that building on the socio-economic achievements of 2025, the province will mobilise all available resources in 2026, apply flexible and comprehensive solutions, and enhance the accountability of officials and civil servants, especially heads of agencies, to improve governance efficiency.

Achievements resulting from determined efforts to overcome difficulties

At the end of 2024, the Prime Minister assigned Dong Nai a growth target of 10%. However, following the merger of Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai provinces and the implementation of the two-tier local government model at provincial and commune levels, the province’s growth target was adjusted to 8.5%. Despite the revised target, Dong Nai remained determined to achieve the highest possible results. Each department, sector and locality, particularly after the provincial merger and the transition to the two-tier local government model, proactively adapted to the new administrative apparatus and delivered concrete outcomes.

These determined efforts yielded impressive growth figures. Specifically, Dong Nai’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth in 2025 is estimated at 9.63%, the highest level recorded in many years. Compared with the target assigned by the Government, the province exceeded it by 1.13 percentage points. In terms of economic scale, Dong Nai ranked fourth nationwide, after Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and nearly on par with Hai Phong, with an economic size approaching 680 trillion VND.

Multiple concrete targets set for 2026

In 2026, Dong Nai aims to achieve economic growth of over 10%, increase budget revenue by 10%, and disburse 27.1 trillion VND in public investment capital. To ensure localities promptly embark on implementation, the Provincial People’s Committee convened a conference on December 17 to assign socio-economic development targets and state budget estimates for 2026.

Reporting to voters in the province at the Provincial People’s Council’s end-of-2025 session, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee Le Truong Son said that total state budget revenue in 2025 is expected to reach 100 trillion VND, equivalent to 142% of the Government-assigned estimate and 134% of the Provincial People’s Council’s target. The year 2025 also witnessed new waves of investment flowing into the province to capitalise on newly developed infrastructure. Foreign direct investment reached 3 billion USD, while domestic investment amounted to 163 trillion VND.

Thanks to vibrant economic activity, Dong Nai’s import-export performance also recorded impressive growth. The province’s total trade turnover exceeded 34 billion USD, nearly 20% higher than in 2024, generating a trade surplus of more than 8 billion USD. Dong Nai continues to rank among the country’s leading exporters, with key export commodities. Notably, despite the impact of reciprocal tax policies, provincial enterprises maintained their major export market in the United States, with export value exceeding 11 billion USD.

Meanwhile, according to Member of the PPC and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Ho Van Ha, 2025 saw the province emerge as a major construction hub, with numerous nationally significant projects being accelerated and completed. These include Nhon Trach Bridge, Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road No.3, Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway, Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway, Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 Power Plants, and notably Long Thanh International Airport, which is scheduled to welcome official flights operated by three airlines on the morning of December 19.

In addition, social housing development, long considered a major bottleneck in Dong Nai, recorded a breakthrough in 2025 thanks to strong direction from the Provincial Party Standing Committee and concerted efforts by departments and localities. The province completed more than 4,600 social housing units, marking the first year Dong Nai exceeded the Government’s assigned target under the national scheme to build one million social housing units. In 2026, the province is expected to continue rolling out new social housing projects to meet housing demand for officials, civil servants, workers and low-income earners.

Toward new development goals

Dong Nai’s impressive socio-economic achievements in 2025 are of great significance, laying a solid foundation for continued strong growth in 2026. This year also marks the first year of the province’s five-year socio-economic development plan for the 2026–2030 period, contributing to the successful implementation of the 10-year socio-economic development strategy for the 2021–2030 period. Notably, 2026 is also the first year of implementing the Resolution of the first Dong Nai Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term and the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress.

Workers complete final roofing items at Terminal T1 of Long Thanh International Airport. Photo: Cong Nghia

As 2025 is drawing to a close with remarkable results, 2026 opens up new opportunities for Dong Nai, particularly as major infrastructure projects enter the completion phase. A series of projects are set to be put into operation, including Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 3, Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway, Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway, Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 Power Plants, and especially Long Thanh International Airport.

At the same time, the province is expediting preparations to expand the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway, implement the Dau Giay – Tan Phu Expressway, Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 4, and Gia Nghia – Chon Thanh Expressway. In 2026, with close coordination between Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City, construction is expected to start on a series of new bridges connecting the two localities, including Dong Nai 2 Bridge, Cat Lai Bridge and Phu My Bridge. Urban railway lines linking Tan Son Nhat Airport, Thu Thiem urban area, Dong Nai’s new administrative centre and Long Thanh International Airport are also planned.

At a recent working session with Dong Nai People’s Committee leaders, the province’s socio-economic development consultant, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, assessed that 2026 will mark pivotal economic changes for Dong Nai. One of the crucial “keys” is the Central Government’s strategic policy decisions to prioritise investment in major infrastructure in the province. Most of these high-quality infrastructure projects are in their final stages and nearing completion, and are therefore expected to rapidly generate strong economic spillover effects, not only for Dong Nai but also for the national economy.

Le Nu Thuy Duong, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and General Director of KN Holdings Group, said that on December 19, the group officially launched two major projects: Xuan Que – Song Nhan Industrial Park in Xuan Que commune and Bau Can – Tan Hiep Industrial Park. These are next-generation industrial park infrastructure projects of strategic importance, designed to seize opportunities arising from Dong Nai’s high-quality infrastructure development.

By Cong Nghia – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha