Industrial development zoning in Dong Nai

Dong Nai currently has a large land area and an industrial development space structured along axial corridors, corresponding to two localities (Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc) prior to their merger. Therefore, the division and reorganization of intra-provincial industrial space is a pressing necessity.

Industrial parks (IPs) in Dong Nai are gradually transitioning toward a sustainable development model. In the photo: A corner of Bien Hoa 2 IP. Photo: Vuong The

Accordingly, the orientation for industrial development is defined based on a regional spatial approach, closely aligned with the provincial master plan approved by the Prime Minister, while also being placed within the linkage framework of the national industrial development strategy and the master plans for the Southeast region and the Central Highlands.

A pillar of economic development

Under the Dong Nai Provincial Planning for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister, industry continues to be identified as a pillar sector, playing a decisive role in growth and the restructuring of the province’s economic structure.

At present, the industrial and construction sector accounts for around 56% of GRDP and contributes more than 60% of total state budget revenue in the locality. Industry provides stable employment for over one million workers, making an important contribution to social security and the stability of urban and industrial populations.

Industrial production in the province’s industrial parks has continued to remain stable. Despite the impact of global economic fluctuations, foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises in Dong Nai have demonstrated strong adaptability and flexibility in production activities, maintaining supply chains and expanding production. The electronics and mechanical engineering sectors continue to serve as key growth drivers, while textile, garment, footwear and wood-processing industries, although facing difficulties in export markets, have proactively expanded into new markets such as ASEAN, the Middle East and Africa, while shifting toward products with higher added value.

In the new development phase, with its location in the Southern Key Economic Region and its linkage to Long Thanh International Airport and the national infrastructure system, Dong Nai continues to be identified as one of the country’s major industrial centers.

In addition, according to the Department of Industry and Trade, Dong Nai has 63 industrial clusters planned for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050, covering a total area of about 3,700 hectares, of which 12 clusters are already in operation. In practice, while the industrial park system has developed relatively synchronously, industrial clusters remain a weak link, with slow progress in infrastructure investment and shortcomings in investor selection mechanisms and the capacity of infrastructure developers.

Industrial spatial structure in the new phase

The organization of Dong Nai’s industrial space is defined based on two main functional sub-regions, with clear role differentiation to avoid overlap, dispersion and inefficient use of national resources.

Specifically, the Northern area (formerly Binh Phuoc province) is designated as a space for receiving and dispersing region-level industrial activities. This area has outstanding advantages in terms of industrial land reserves, environmental carrying capacity and long-term expansion potential, while also being located along strategic connectivity corridors to the Central Highlands, Cambodia and the trans-Asian economic corridor. It is capable of assuming the role of receiving industrial spillover from the core of the Southeast region, thereby contributing to the regulation of industrial spatial distribution at both regional and national levels.

IPs in Dong Nai are gradually transitioning toward a sustainable development model. In the photo: A new factory at Long Thanh High-Tech IP. Photo: Vuong The

The Southern area (formerly Dong Nai province) serves as the core industrial zone and development coordinator. This area experienced early industrialization and has a high density of industrial parks, playing a critical role in national supply chains and exports. The province is restructuring the existing industrial park system toward specialization, high technology and reduced emissions, in line with national objectives for green and eco-industrial development. Priority is given to supporting industries and foundational industries, contributing to higher localization rates and greater economic self-reliance. Industrial development is integrated with logistics, distribution centers and production-support services, leveraging the hub role of Long Thanh International Airport and the national transport network.

According to experts, the differentiated roles in industrial development between the northern and southern areas of Dong Nai indicate that innovation does not occur evenly across space. This creates the need to study regional policies and inter-regional linkage policies to enable enterprises in different areas to access innovation resources on an equal footing. Dr. Huynh Thanh Dien, lecturer at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, noted that industrial distribution must be recalculated to develop appropriate solutions based on the strengths of each area within the overall linkage framework.

In 2026, the Dong Nai Economic and Industrial Zones Authority (DEIZA) will complete the planning of all industrial parks, economic zones and high-tech zones in the province. This will be an important step toward synchronizing industrial planning, providing both a legal and practical basis for investment attraction, infrastructure development and the coordination of regional economic development. According to Pham Viet Phuong, Deputy Head in charge of the DEIZA, adjustments to planning are necessary to meet the requirements of modern industrial development. The next phase will focus on promoting next-generation models such as urban–service industrial parks, eco-industrial parks, specialized industrial parks and high-tech industrial parks. These models help closely integrate production space with urban space, contributing to land-use efficiency, synchronized infrastructure development, improved living conditions for workers and higher added value for the industrial sector.

To attract enterprises in high-tech fields, Vo Hoang Khai, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said the province is planning to invest in innovation, high-tech and digital transformation infrastructure covering an area of about 300 hectares. This area is expected to become a center for research, incubation and technology transfer, a high-tech industrial zone, and a digital infrastructure hub (5G, data centers), serving as a nucleus and focal point in the strategy to transform Dong Nai into a “technology gateway” for the southern region.

By Vuong The – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha