Expanding public spaces along Dong Nai River

Dong Nai is steadily “opening up” its public spaces toward the Dong Nai River. Riverside parks and road corridors - already in place, under construction, and in the pipeline - are not only creating more venues for community life but also opening up opportunities to reshape and upgrade the urban landscape in a greener, more modern, and sustainable direction.

According to the provincial master plan, the urban area along the Dong Nai River is set to become a strategic development axis in the near future.

Building a continuous riverside space network

In recent years, the province’s urban landscape along the Dong Nai River has gradually transformed as a series of public spaces take shape. What once consisted solely of Nguyen Van Tri Park has evolved into a more defined riverside panorama, with the emergence of the Dong Nai riverside road, Cai River riverside road, Aqua City square park, and several large-scale urban and park projects expected to follow, forming a continuous chain of interconnected spaces.

Boat racing activities on the Dong Nai River, passing Nguyen Van Tri Park. Photo: Hoang Loc

Stretching over 1.5 kilometers in Tran Bien ward, Nguyen Van Tri Park has become a familiar riverside destination for residents. Initially a simple green park, it has been flexibly transformed into a pedestrian zone on weekends, complemented by illuminated walkways and a wide range of cultural, sports, and culinary activities, gradually shaping a vibrant riverside community space.

Following this, the more than five-kilometer Dong Nai riverside road, from Hoa An Bridge in Tran Bien ward to the border with Tan Trieu commune, was technically opened to traffic in early 2026. Beyond adding a new transport axis, the project contributes to improving the urban landscape along the river and to creating favorable conditions for the development of services, commerce, tourism, and community activities.

Meanwhile, in early 2026, construction officially began on the Cai River road project, approximately 4.6 kilometers in length, connecting Ha Huy Giap street in Tran Bien ward to Tran Quoc Toan street in Tam Hiep ward. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Nguyen Thi Hoang, member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee, noted that upon completion, the project will not only expand riverside space and strengthen connectivity between areas but also help form a continuous landscape corridor, creating a green, clean, and attractive riverside urban environment. At the same time, it is expected to drive socio-economic development, environmental improvement, and more effective utilization of the Dong Nai River basin’s natural value.

Beyond existing projects, provincial planning and socio-economic development orientations have identified the Dong Nai riverside as a strategic urban landscape axis. Notably, a riverside square park is slated for development on the site of the former Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park, which is undergoing functional transformation. According to Ho Van Ha, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, the park, together with new urban areas and the upcoming political-administrative centre, will contribute to urban restructuring, create a landscape highlight, and form a large-scale public gathering space.

At several completed real estate projects, developers have also leveraged riverside advantages to create open public spaces. A case in point is Aqua City in Long Hung ward, where a waterfront square park and marina have been developed, adding a modern riverside space that integrates landscape, recreation, and services. Similarly, Kim Quy Island in Bien Hoa ward features parks and a yacht harbor.

One space, multiple values

Looking at both completed and planned projects, Dong Nai is gradually forming a continuous network of riverside public spaces. These developments represent not only infrastructure improvements but also a shift in urban planning mindset, turning toward the river and maximizing the potential of natural landscapes.

The development of riverside public spaces goes beyond landscape considerations. It also helps improve residents' quality of life and creates momentum for urban development. For urban residents, parks and riverside roads have become, and continue to become, valuable “breathing spaces.” As urbanization intensifies, the emergence of public spaces, especially in riverside areas, creates more places for people to walk, exercise, enjoy leisure activities, and relax, thereby contributing significantly to improved living standards and mental well-being. Riverside spaces also help strengthen community ties and promote the local image and tourism through activities such as Tet flower streets, riverboat races, and running events.

From an urban perspective, riverside spaces play a crucial role in shaping the city’s visual identity. For instance, areas along the Dong Nai riverside road project, once overgrown and littered, have been transformed into a modern and open urban frontage. Furthermore, the economic value generated by these spaces is considerable. In practice, riverside locations tend to attract strong interest from real estate, commercial, and service projects. With synchronized infrastructure investment, land values rise, spurring the growth of related sectors such as tourism, cuisine, and entertainment.

Beyond immediate benefits, the development of riverside spaces also contributes to shaping a green and sustainable urban model. In addition to their natural beauty, rivers help regulate the climate and improve living environments. When riverside areas are properly planned, harmonizing construction with the preservation of natural, cultural, and historical values, cities gain greater room for sustainable growth.

However, to fully unlock these benefits, riverside development must follow a unified master plan, avoiding fragmented and poorly connected expansion. At the same time, effective management and operation are essential to preserving landscapes and environmental quality. With such an approach, the Dong Nai River can truly become a strategic urban axis, serving residents’ daily lives while laying the foundation for a modern, livable city in the future.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho