Dong Nai awaits a historic vote

For the Party Committee, authorities, and people of Dong Nai province, the first session of the 16th National Assembly is regarded as another historic milestone, as lawmakers are expected to review and vote on a resolution to establish Dong Nai as a centrally governed city.

Once the resolution is passed, Dong Nai will officially become Vietnam’s seventh centrally governed city. This landmark moment will usher the province into a new era, defined by a renewed position, expanded role, and greater responsibilities toward national development.

Expectations for a new position and role

Dong Nai is a land rich in historical and cultural depth, long recognized for its pioneering role during the country’s renewal and international integration. Drawing on its dynamic reality, the province has boldly piloted new policies to attract foreign investment and develop concentrated industrial zones. These breakthrough steps have not only laid a solid foundation for local growth but have also provided valuable lessons for the country’s broader economic development strategy.

Connecting Phuoc An Port with industrial zones creates strong growth momentum. Photo: Cong Nghia

Over the past decades, Dong Nai has consistently maintained impressive growth, with double-digit expansion recorded in multiple years and significant contributions to the national economy. Reflecting on this trajectory, former Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Vo Van Mot stressed that the province has long shouldered major responsibilities for national development, contributing a substantial share to the central budget while remaining financially self-reliant.

With a solid macroeconomic foundation, strong political determination, and a readiness to act, Dong Nai has carefully prepared for its transition from a largely rural governance model to an urban one. The province has demonstrated bold thinking, decisive action, and accountability in contributing to the nation’s development in a new era. Leveraging new resources, the future Dong Nai City is determined to join the country in realizing aspirations for prosperity, looking toward the centenary of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 2030 and the 100th anniversary of the nation in 2045.

Dong Nai has been consistently recognized for its strategic position and role in national development. This has been proven during the Government’s appraisal and verification missions as well as at the meeting of the NA Standing Committee, and at the first session of the 16th NA.

Le Tan Toi, member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the NA’s Committee for National Defense, Security and External Relations, noted that Dong Nai now plays an increasingly important role, not only as a vast economic space but also as a global gateway through Long Thanh International Airport and Phuoc An Port. With the status of a centrally governed city, backed by strong economic capacity and firm national defense and security, Dong Nai’s role as a strategic “shield” of the nation becomes even more significant.

Sharing the same optimism, Le Thanh My, Secretary of former Nhon Trach district’s Party Committee, who has long been associated with the development of Nhon Trach, expressed confidence that once the historic vote is passed, Dong Nai will enter a new phase marked by unprecedented breakthroughs.

Aspiration for breakthrough development

Dong Nai possesses a “strategic position” in terms of area and population scale, along with a rich cultural heritage and abundant natural resources. It is also a place where diverse talents converge, often described as a “miniature Vietnam.” The residents of Dong Nai carry a strong aspiration to rise, taking the lead in reform and deep international integration. Notably, following the merger with Binh Phuoc, the province’s combined strength, potential and advantanges have further reinforced its drive for breakthrough development.

The expansion of the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway through Dong Nai is being accelerated under an emergency mechanism to connect with Long Thanh International Airport. Photo: Cong Nghia

Following the administrative restructuring and the implementation of a two-tier local government model, the internal strength of the entire political system has been significantly energized, accelerating progress toward achieving strategic goals. Clear improvements in governance and socio-economic performance were reflected in 2025, with GRDP growth reaching 9.63% and state budget revenue exceeding VND100 trillion, the highest level in many years. The province’s economic scale now ranks fourth nationwide, while efforts are underway to achieve double-digit growth in 2026, with budget revenue projected to reach a new record of VND150 trillion.

In recent years, the administrative system from provincial to grassroots levels has demonstrated a strong capacity for self-renewal, fostering a spirit of initiative, action and accountability for the common good. The Provincial Party Standing Committee has emphasized the role of leadership accountability while improving personnel effectiveness through merit-based assignments. Performance-driven evaluation and selection mechanisms have been rigorously applied, ensuring smoother and more efficient governance.

Dong Nai is now entering a pivotal stage for breakthrough growth, driven by the synergy between its new status and one of the most modern and integrated transport infrastructure systems in the country. This competitive advantage is anchored by Long Thanh International Airport’s global connectivity, alongside an expanding expressway network linking key economic regions. In parallel, the province is proactively expanding urban development space along the Dong Nai River, constructing new bridges to connect with Ho Chi Minh City, and accelerating the development of next-generation industrial zones to attract high-tech investors.

At a group discussion during the first session of the 16th NA, Vu Hong Van, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Dong Nai Delegation of NA Deputies emphasized that Dong Nai has demonstrated strong political resolve and effective action, meeting all conditions to become a new growth pole of the country. The province is expected to take on greater responsibility in driving national economic development, while closely linking with Ho Chi Minh City to form a super urban corridor in the Southeast region.

The aspiration to become a centrally governed city has received full support from the Politburo and the Party Central Committee. This reflects not only the will of Dong Nai’s Party Committee, authorities, and people, but also the province’s strategic role in the national development vision. The identity of the future Dong Nai City has been clearly defined: to become a key national growth pole, a major economic connector and international gateway in the new era, and a model of dynamic, civilized, and prosperous urban development, contributing to shaping a new development space for the Southeast region.

By C. Nghia – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha