Dong Nai workers take lead in entering new era

Dong Nai, one of the country’s major industrial centers, is undergoing a strong transformation in the process of industrialization, modernization and digital transformation. In that context, the workforce plays a core and pioneering role in approaching new technologies, renewing working methods and making significant contributions to the province’s socio-economic development.

Workers at Global Engine Mechanical Co., Ltd. in Trang Bom commune.

Not only do many workers fulfill their assigned professional duties well, but they also actively propose initiatives and improvements, take the lead in production innovation, enhance product quality and meet enterprises’ sustainable development goals.

From manual labor to mastering technology

Following the provincial merger, Dong Nai now has more than 1.4 million workers from various regions across the country. This is a young and dynamic workforce capable of quickly adapting to a modern industrial production environment. Reports from enterprises show that from traditional sectors such as textiles and garments, footwear and wood processing to high-tech industries, precision engineering and electronics, workers are gradually affirming their role in mastering modern machinery and equipment, meeting the increasingly stringent demands of domestic and international markets.

The new era opens up numerous opportunities while also posing considerable challenges for Dong Nai’s workforce. Nevertheless, with their tradition of diligence, creativity, solidarity and determination to rise, workers in Dong Nai are steadily affirming their pioneering position in the province’s socio-economic development.

Over the past year, many outstanding workers have been commended and rewarded by the Provincial People’s Committee and trade unions at all levels for their contributions to production and for initiatives that have generated high economic efficiency for enterprises.

Among them is Nguyen Thanh Tung, Head of the Maintenance Department of Pou Chen Viet Nam Co., Ltd. in Bien Hoa ward. He is one of two workers from Dong Nai honored by the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) for technical improvements benefiting the enterprise and contributing to the nationwide emulation movement for creative labor in 2025. Notably, his initiative to improve the shoe-boxing process by replacing manual operations with a specialized folding table reduced processing time to 7–10 seconds per product, increased packaging productivity by more than 1.5 times and brought significant financial benefits to the company.

Similarly, Nguyen Thi Tu Anh, after working at the TKG Taekwang Vina J.S Co. in Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Park (IP), Tran Bien ward, for nearly 26 years, has risen from a machine operator to production manager overseeing nearly 4,000 workers. Throughout her journey with the enterprise, Tu Anh has not only been diligent in her work but has also demonstrated dynamism, resilience and strong determination through initiatives and improvements applied in production.

What distinguishes Tu Anh is her willingness to take on challenging tasks, especially her quick adaptation to technological innovation in production. During the 2022–2025 period, many of her initiatives helped the enterprise renew production processes, reduce costs and improve the working environment. Typical examples include an initiative to reuse production tools, saving nearly 200 million VND per month, and equipment improvements that saved more than 1 billion VND. Each initiative put into practice is the result of persistent observation from real production activities and the sharpness of an experienced worker like her.

In 2025, Tu Anh was among 10 outstanding individuals nationwide honored by the VGCL with the award for dynamic, creative and responsible female trade union members.

“The award is a gift for my more than two decades of dedication and youthful years devoted to the enterprise. It is both a cherished memory and a motivation for me to continue improving my skills and passing on professional passion to colleagues,” Tu Anh shared.

Pioneering digital transformation and innovation

According to a report by the Dong Nai Federation of Labour, in the 2022–2025 period, nearly 75,000 initiatives by trade union members and workers were recorded across the province, generating 572 billion VND in benefits for enterprises and units. Many young workers have proactively studied to enhance their professional qualifications and participated in technical and digital technology training courses. From operating modern machinery to supervising smart production systems, they are gradually mastering technology, thereby contributing to improved productivity and competitiveness.

At present, many enterprises in Dong Nai have deployed smart factories, applying automation, digital data and modern management systems. In this context, workers are no longer merely machine operators but have become important links in the digitalized production chain. Their pioneering spirit is reflected not only in technological adaptation but also in creativity.

At Fujikura Electronics Viet Nam Co., Ltd. in Long Binh (Loteco) IP, Long Binh ward, Pham Tinh Duc stands out for implementing numerous improvement projects. These include a project to reduce the cost of purchasing new magnifying glasses, saving more than 24.6 thousand USD per year, and another to reduce the number of sampled product pieces at PRN, saving over 1.6 thousand USD annually. He has been recognized and commended by trade unions at various levels for many consecutive years.

Speaking about his initiatives, Duc modestly noted that as product quality requirements continue to rise, workers must constantly upgrade themselves to meet job demands. At the same time, during production, promptly detecting shortcomings and proposing improvements will help workers secure a firm position within enterprises and earn greater trust as well as higher income. “With enterprises’ ongoing renewal, especially as modern machinery gradually replaces manual labor, workers must be proactive and creative to affirm their value within the company,” Duc said.

According to Nguyen Sy Nguyen, Assistant Manager of Global Engine Mechanical Co., Ltd. in Trang Bom commune, the company specializes in manufacturing and processing mechanical products, motorcycle and automobile components, off-road vehicle parts and aluminum bicycle components, which require highly skilled and technically proficient workers. In recent years, the company’s workforce has met job requirements and quickly adapted to modern automated production lines. Moreover, many initiatives and technical improvements originating from workers have helped the enterprise reduce costs, shorten production time and ensure labor safety.

In order to create motivation for workers to apply digital transformation and science-technology in production, trade unions at all levels in Dong Nai have launched patriotic emulation movements with diverse and practical contents tailored to specific industries and local conditions. As a result, a widespread emulation atmosphere has been created, encouraging workers to master technology and promote professional skills in various fields. Notably, many workers have advanced to managerial positions, contributing practical solutions to production and management. This clearly demonstrates their pioneering role in the province’s new development phase.

Addressing the Dong Nai Trade Union Congress for the 2025–2030 term, Thai Thu Xuong, Standing Vice President of the VGCL, emphasized that Dong Nai, as one of the key growth poles of the Southeastern region and the country, has seen its economic structure shift strongly toward industry and services and is home to many nationally significant projects. With goals of developing the digital economy, green economy, circular economy, high-tech industry, logistics centers, science-technology, innovation and digital transformation, the province will attract a large number of enterprises and workers to invest and work in the locality.

Workers at enterprises in Dong Nai. Photo: Nguyen Hoa

Along with enterprise development and expanding job opportunities, workers are required to enhance their political awareness, legal consciousness, industrial working style, labor discipline, professional qualifications and vocational skills to meet job requirements. Moreover, trade unions need to pay attention to training and fostering vocational and digital skills for workers.

The contributions of Dong Nai’s workforce in recent years have clearly demonstrated their efforts across all fields. Trade unions at all levels have recognized, rewarded and replicated exemplary models in production. Thereby, a ripple effect and competitive motivation have been created, encouraging workers to continue learning, improving productivity and contributing to the successful implementation of the province’s socio-economic development goals and tasks.

“With the companionship of authorities, enterprises and trade unions, Dong Nai’s workers will continue to promote their central role, confidently enter a new era and contribute to building Dong Nai into a modern, developed and sustainable industrial province,” Thai Thu Xuong stressed.

By Nguyen Hoa – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha