Optimizing public investment capital

To improve investment efficiency and optimize public investment capital, Dong Nai has reviewed to compile a list of priority projects for funding allocation from its 2026 public investment plan across the province.

Component Project 1 of the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway (phase 1) has been allocated VND400 billion from the central budget for implementation in 2026. Photo: Pham Tung

Accordingly, the province will prioritize capital allocation for projects in health and education sectors, as well as those considered crucial to socio-economic development.

Proposal to launch 73 projects under priority levels of 1 and 2

According to the Department of Finance (DoF), the total public investment plan for Dong Nai in 2026 is estimated at more than VND27 trillion. Of this amount, over VND889 billion will be covered by the central government budget, while more than VND26.2 trillion will be sourced from the local budget.

From the central budget, funding has already been allocated to three projects: Component Project 1 of the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway, the Nhon Trach inter-port road, and the Climate-Resilient Irrigation Modernization Project in the former Binh Phuoc province.

Regarding local budget funding, after deducting the mandatory 5% savings from public investment expenditures, the remaining allocation amounts to more than VND25 trillion. This includes more than VND17.8 trillion assigned under the authority of the Provincial People’s Committee and over VND6.1 trillion allocated by commune-level authorities.

Of the more than VND17.8 trillion assigned by the Provincial People’s Committee, nearly VND15.7 trillion has been specifically distributed to projects. The funding has been assigned to project owners to implement a total of 530 projects across the province. Meanwhile, the remaining VND2.1 trillion has been reserved for other tasks.

Deputy Director of the DoF Tran Anh Tu said that among the 530 projects with allocated funding, 319 are carryover projects with construction volumes already paid for up to 2025. These projects will need additional funding to ensure completion in 2026 and the following years.

As for the remaining 212 projects, under the direction of the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, the DoF, in coordination with relevant agencies, has carried out a review and assessment of their feasibility and urgency to propose adjustment of investment plan to improve efficiency and avoid scattered allocation of resources.

By the end of February 2026, the review identified 73 projects classified under priority levels 1 and 2. Among them, 33 projects have already received opinions from sectoral management agencies, while the remaining 40 are still awaiting such assessments. “For these 73 projects, the DoF has proposed that the Provincial People’s Committee approve their continued implementation, with nearly VND1.3 trillion already allocated in the 2026 plan,” Tu said. “These projects fall within priority investment areas defined by both central and provincial policies.”

Projects classified under priority level 1 include nationally important projects, key public investment works and projects aligned with the Resolution of the first Provincial Party Congress. Priority level 2 includes projects in strategic areas under the Government’s guidance, such as science and technology, digital transformation, healthcare and education facilities, along with regional connectivity projects and those expected to have significant impacts on socio-economic development in Dong Nai during the 2026–2030 period. Meanwhile, priority level 3 covers projects that are consistent with provincial planning but do not fall under the priority levels 1 and 2.

Adjustment on reducing capital allocation for several projects

After excluding the 73 projects categorized under priority levels 1 and 2, Dong Nai still has 139 projects classified under priority level 3 that have been allocated funding in the 2026 capital plan. The total capital assigned to these projects amounts to more than VND1.7 trillion.

For these projects, the DoF has proposed measures such as suspending, extending or postponing capital allocation in order to concentrate resources on key provincial projects. These include additional funding for three transport projects linking Long Thanh International Airport and the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 project.

As the capital allocation plan for these projects had previously been reported by the Provincial People’s Council to the Provincial Party Standing Committee for approval at the year-end meeting in 2025, the DoF has recommended the Party Committee of the Provincial People’s Committee to report to the Provincial Party Standing Committee for further consideration and guidance.

Once approval is given by the Provincial Party Standing Committee, it is proposed that the Provincial People’s Committee assign DoF, in coordination with relevant agencies, to review each project in detail and carry out procedures to adjust capital plan already allocated to these projects. Any reduction in funding will follow the principle that the remaining capital must still be sufficient to disburse payments for completed and verified construction volumes, thereby preventing outstanding construction debts.

For compensation and site clearance costs, the remaining funds must also be adequate to cover payments that have already been approved by competent authorities.

Projects involving the construction, upgrading and expansion of provincial roads providing connectivity to Long Thanh International Airport have been placed under priority level 1 for capital allocation in 2026.

According to Ho Van Ha, member of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, the province aims to fully disburse its public investment capital in 2026. Therefore, reviewing and selecting shortlisted projects for capital allocation is crucial to ensure that funding is directed toward projects that genuinely require funding and have strong disbursement capacity. He emphasized that the DoF, while working with departments, sectors and local authorities to finalize the 2026 public investment shortlist, must strictly follow criteria on priority levels for capital allocation, particularly for projects in healthcare, education and transport infrastructure. “For projects in the healthcare and education sectors, sufficient funding must be prioritized,” Vice Chairman Ho Van Ha stressed.

By Pham Tung – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha