Developing riverfront space for Bien Hoa urban area

The Dong Nai River has been identified as the primary landscape axis of Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province. As such, the riverside space along the Dong Nai River holds a key role in the objective of transforming Bien Hoa’s urban structure from an industrial city into a service and industrial city.

The Thong Nhat Bridge, an infrastructure project connecting the two banks of the Cai River in Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai Province, is nearing completion. Photo: Pham Tung

Bien Hoa - a riverside city

The section of the Dong Nai River flowing through Bien Hoa City is approximately 4 kilometers long. As the Dong Nai River runs through the heart of the city, it has long been seen as a defining feature and a central axis in developing Bien Hoa into a riverside city. Flooding is rare along this stretch, and when it does occur, water levels remain low. The river’s broad surface offers scenic beauty and serves as a significant advantage for urban development. In addition, both banks are home to numerous historical relics and spiritual and cultural institutions.

For these reasons, the Dong Nai River not only plays a vital role in shaping the city’s landscape but also carries a significant asset for Bien Hoa’s urban development: its prime riverside land frontage.

According to Ho Van Ha, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee, if the Dong Nai River axis and its riverside areas are effectively planned and exploited, they will create strong momentum for the development of Bien Hoa City and help establish the river as the city’s principal urban landscape axis.

Consulting units note that to fully capitalize on Bien Hoa’s riverside advantages, priority should be given to developing new transport infrastructure projects connecting the riverside areas of the Dong Nai and Cai Rivers.

In recent years, to tap into the potential of the Dong Nai River and its riverside land through Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province has invested in major transport infrastructure projects combined with the development of riverside parks, such as the Dong Nai riverside road, the Cai riverside road, and the Bien Hoa Central Axis Road. Along with these projects, riverside urban development areas have gradually taken shape to maximize the advantages of the Dong Nai River.

According to Dr. Phan Dang Son, architect and President of the Vietnam Association of Architects, identifying the Dong Nai River as the core development axis is a sound strategy of great importance to urban ecology, in line with the restructuring of Bien Hoa’s urban model into a green, smart, and sustainable city.

Three zones for riverside space development

In early January 2026, during a working session with the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee to report on the progress of the Overall Adjustment of the Master Plan for Bien Hoa City to 2045, the consulting unit proposed a development orientation for Bien Hoa’s riverside spaces.

Under this proposal, the riverside area would be divided into three zones, each with its own development orientation. Zone 1, the northwestern zone, extends from the Buu Long area to Ghenh Bridge and is home to long-established residential communities. This zone is proposed for urban development, tourism, and the expansion of green spaces. In terms of tourism, it would form a network of attractions linking local historical relics and scenic landmarks. Open spaces would be created around key structures, particularly at prominent, easily accessible locations, to support social interaction, gatherings, and enrich community cultural life. Urban renewal would also be implemented in this area, aiming to build a modern city that prioritizes a high-quality living environment, with low development density, expanded green parks, and diverse water surfaces that offer space for relaxation and recreation.

Zone 2, the central zone, encompasses the section where the Cai River begins and ends, forming Cu Lao Pho Island (Hiep Hoa Islet). This zone is oriented toward tourism and urban development to promote the value of cultural and historical relics. According to the consulting unit, major green corridors should be added to channel natural space from the Dong Nai and Cai rivers into the city center, creating open spaces with attractive views toward landmark structures such as temples, pagodas, and high-rise buildings on the opposite riverbank.

Zone 3, the southern zone, extends across major urban areas from Dong Nai Port to the boundary with the Long Thanh urban area. For this zone, the consulting unit proposes organizing urban landscape space to connect green areas with the ecological landscape along the Dong Nai River. Urban and landscape axes would be formed, along with focal landmark spaces, ensuring harmonious integration with the surrounding environment. Large-scale urban centers would be located at strategic positions to serve the entire area effectively.

By Pham Tung – Translated by Trieu Ngan, Minho