Building a strategy for industrial development

Industry, particularly manufacturing and processing, remains a key pillar of the economy. To sustain high, long-term growth, Vietnam is accelerating industrial modernization, strengthening production autonomy, and enhancing the global value of its goods.

A corner of Long Thanh Industrial Park (IP), where land occupancy has exceeded 93%. Photo: Vuong The

Alongside nationwide efforts, Dong Nai is actively implementing selective investment-attracting strategies to foster modern industry, support enterprises in technological innovation, and strengthen linkages to build industrial production chains across the province.

A pillar and driving force of the economy

In recent years, Vietnam’s industrial production has continued to expand, with manufacturing and processing emerging as key highlights. This sector drives overall industrial growth and serves as a primary driver of the national economy.

According to Tran Viet Hoa, Director General of the Vietnam Industry Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the manufacturing and processing sector accounted for about 24.5% of GDP in 2025 and is projected to reach around 28% by 2030, highlighting the challenge of advancing industrial development toward greater self-reliance.

Economic experts note that despite notable achievements, the sector still faces persistent bottlenecks, including heavy reliance on external inputs and limited domestic resilience. Therefore, to achieve the goal of becoming a modern industrialized nation, industry must not only remain a key growth driver but also be elevated to a central pillar of the new growth model, playing a decisive role in realizing GDP targets.

For Dong Nai, one of the country’s leading industrial hubs, industrial production has been a decisive contributor to local economic growth. The province is also shifting toward modernization and environmental sustainability. Industrial parks, home to thousands of factories and enterprises, account for a significant share of production value and state budget revenue. Notably, industrial parks and economic zones contribute more than 40% of the province’s annual budget revenue and over 80% of total industrial output, reinforcing Dong Nai’s position as a key economic center nationwide.

Advancing green and sustainable industry

Vietnam is entering a new era marked by science, technology, innovation, green transition, digital transformation, and deeper international integration. As a key economic driver, the industrial sector must gradually transform to align with these national development goals.

In this context, science, technology, innovation, and digital and green transitions are identified as core drivers, with priority given to developing foundational industries capable of mastering technology, as well as emerging sectors. At the same time, efforts are being made to build strong domestic enterprises capable of leading strategic industries, enhancing competitiveness, and accelerating industrialization and modernization.

Production at a manufacturing enterprise in Ho Nai IP, Dong Nai province. Photo: Vuong The

In Dong Nai, the province has long oriented investment attraction toward green and sustainable industrial development. According to Pham Viet Phuong, Deputy Head in charge of the Dong Nai Economic and Industrial Zones Authority, the province is promoting the development of industrial parks based on an integrated model combining industry, urban areas, and services. Existing industrial parks are being reviewed to encourage enterprises to upgrade technologies, deepen investment, and form closed-loop production chains. Meanwhile, newly established industrial parks are being developed with a sector-focused approach to foster linkages in production and product consumption.

Furthermore, the province encourages manufacturing enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones, to restructure operations, reinvest, and transition toward technological innovation. This undertaking includes upgrading machinery and equipment, improving workforce skills, and applying solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through industrial symbiosis and efficient resource use. Support programs, such as those promoting technology adoption and enhancing productivity and quality, are regularly implemented.

Nguyen Minh Quang, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology, noted that various training programs have been organized to help enterprises better identify opportunities for transformation and gradually access advanced technologies. As a result, businesses have become more proactive in participating in innovation programs and benefiting from State incentive policies.

Looking ahead, Dong Nai aims to leverage its internal strengths and growth potential, with science, technology, and innovation as key drivers, while digital transformation serves as a strategic breakthrough. The green transition, the circular economy, and the sharing economy are expected to play an increasingly central role across sectors.

By Vuong The – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho