Dong Nai hosts scientific workshop on tourism development in new context

On March 16, Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee, in coordination with the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, held a scientific workshop titled Orientations for tourism development in Dong Nai in the new context.

The workshop was co-chaired by Le Truong Son, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, and Dr. Dinh Cong Khai, Deputy Director of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City.

Participants also included Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DoCST); leaders of provincial departments and agencies; delegates from several departments and sectors of Ho Chi Minh City; the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City; as well as tourism enterprises from both within and outside the province.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Le Truong Son delivers a keynote speech at the workshop. Photo: Ngoc Lien

The workshop featured presentations by tourism experts, businesses and major tourism groups, focusing on the province’s potential, existing limitations and practical solutions for future development. Key topics included the current situation and solutions for forest-based ecotourism; sustainable ecotourism development associated with international integration and biodiversity conservation, drawing lessons from Cat Tien National Park; shifting from connectivity bottlenecks to a multi-experience well-connected urban destination - repositioning Dong Nai’s tourism brand within the Southern key economic region; and the development of high-quality, internationally standardized tourism linked to the airport urban model, with Long Thanh International Airport serving as a central driver.

Dr. Dinh Cong Khai, Deputy Director of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, speaks at the workshop. Photo: Ngoc Lien

In his remarks, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Le Truong Son emphasized that Dong Nai’s tourism sector has maintained growth in both visitor numbers and revenue in recent years. Service capacity has improved, with accommodation and travel services becoming increasingly professional. However, he also pointed out that several bottlenecks continue to hinder the sector’s quality growth, preventing it from fully tapping into the province’s rich natural potential.

Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Director of the DoCST, speaks at the workshop. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Notably, the implementation of key tourism projects, especially forest-based ecotourism initiatives, has been slow due to procedural obstacles. High-end accommodation facilities rated four to five stars are still limited, making it difficult to attract high-spending and international visitors. In addition, the province has yet to draw major strategic investors with strong international brands. Coordination among departments, sectors and localities has at times lacked consistency, while regional linkages have largely remained at the level of formal agreements, without forming effective tourism corridors with neighboring provinces.

Overview of the workshop. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Highlighting the strategic importance of upcoming developments, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Le Truong Son stressed that the restructuring of development space, together with the future operation of Long Thanh International Airport, requires not only economic adjustments but also an imperative for a shift in tourism development mindset. Therefore, relevant departments and agencies must promptly translate the workshop’s outcomes into concrete actions.

He assigned the DoCST to consolidate all proposals and breakthrough solutions presented at the workshop and advise the provincial authorities in drafting a resolution on tourism development for the 2026–2030 period, with a vision toward 2035 for submission to the Provincial Party Committee, ensuring practicality, innovation and long-term strategic vision.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha