Dong Nai: Developing urban areas based on local advantages

The policy to build Dong Nai into a centrally governed city, alongside the roadmap to upgrade 10 communes to wards, has received strong consensus and support from the people.

Upon being upgraded to a ward, Dau Giay Commune is expected to develop rapidly. In the photo: A corner of the residential area near Dau Giay overpass. Photo: Nhat Quang

In comments to Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television, many residents across the province expressed their support for the policy to build Dong Nai into a centrally governed city. Beyond expressing their joy and pride, many also clearly analyzed the advantages of each locality and proposed suitable directions, helping to create a multi-dimensional yet unified picture of development.

An inevitable transformation

Amid the clear changes in Dong Nai province's socio-economic development, many residents believe the policy is opening up new opportunities and driving momentum for the province’s next phase of growth. The plan to upgrade communes into wards has strengthened and spread people's trust, excitement, and expectations throughout society.

Believing the upgrade from commune to ward as an inevitable step, suitable for reality, Le Hong Phuc, a resident of Long Thanh Commune, shared his enthusiasm: “We fully support this direction because we can clearly see the changes, especially since the Long Thanh International Airport project began. Infrastructure and services are improving, and living standards are rising. Becoming a ward will certainly bring more development opportunities, not only for businesses but also for residents in the locality.”

From an industrial-urban development perspective, Tran Thi Thanh Thao of Nhon Trach Commune noted that the area has been planned for urban expansion for decades. “Many elements of a city are already in place. Upgrading to a ward will enhance governance, attract more infrastructure investment, and improve service quality to meet people’s growing needs,” she said.

Similarly, Nguyen Hoang Chinh from Trang Bom Commune said excitedly that in recent days, news that Trang Bom Commune will be "upgraded" to a ward has spread everywhere. Not only has this information appeared on social media forums, but it has also become a current topic of conversation at residents' gatherings and sharing sessions, with everyone feeling happy. "This is not just an administrative change, as it opens up broader development space and helps the locality develop systematically and sustainably, so I strongly support it," Chinh expressed.

Leveraging local strengths for growth

Beyond expressing support, residents across the province have also proposed specific development directions tailored to each locality's economic characteristics, ensuring that urbanization brings tangible benefits. In Dau Giay Commune, a key transportation hub, resident Tran Quang Duoc said he was very happy that the commune was being developed into a ward. "Dau Giay has a special advantage in terms of transportation as it is a connection point for many expressways and national highways, with a very large volume of vehicles and goods passing through”. When upgraded to a ward, the area should be planned to develop logistics, trade, and transport services. At the same time, agriculture should be modernized and linked to processing and distribution to increase incomes and ensure long-term stability,” he suggested.

Living in a purely agricultural locality, Nguyen Van Dung, residing in Xuan Loc Commune, confided that the conversion to a ward is an opportunity for further development. Xuan Loc has long developed primarily through agriculture, with crops such as pepper, cashew, and fruit trees, as well as livestock farming. When it becomes a ward, local authorities should focus on investing in high-tech agriculture, processing, and the development of agricultural product brands, thereby enhancing product value and increasing income. "I hope that the infrastructure and services in the locality will also be upgraded so that life becomes more convenient, in line with the urbanization process," Dung proposed.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Minh from Loc Ninh Commune highlighted advantages in livestock and industrial crops, such as rubber and cashew. He proposed developing concentrated production zones linked to processing industries and services. “If planned properly, we can both urbanize and preserve our strengths, ensuring stable and sustainable growth,” he noted.

From an ecological perspective, Duong Minh Ngach of Tri An Commune said that residents agree because they see clearer development opportunities. Tri An commune has a lake and forests, so it needs to be oriented towards developing ecological tourism and resorts. “If done well, this approach can boost the economy while preserving the environment, something residents strongly support,” he added.

Sharing the same view, residents in Tan Phu, Dong Phu, and Tan Khai communes also strongly agreed, expressing hopes that the transition to ward status will be accompanied by infrastructure upgrades, administrative reforms, and improved public services, ultimately creating a modern and livable urban environment. By harnessing the unique advantages of each locality and pursuing appropriate development strategies, Dong Nai is well-positioned to advance toward the formal establishment of a centrally governed city and to sustain rapid, balanced growth in the coming period.

By Kim Lieu – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho