Dong Nai seeks breakthroughs via regional connectivity

As it approaches the milestone of becoming a centrally governed city, Dong Nai is facing new demands in terms of development vision, growth model and its role in regional connectivity.

Former State President Nguyen Minh Triet (2nd, left) and Nguyen Tan Hung (2nd, right) visit the operations center of Thac Mo Hydropower Plant in Phuoc Long ward, Dong Nai province.

Drawing from years of leadership experience in Binh Phuoc province, Nguyen Tan Hung, former Secretary of the Binh Phuoc Provincial Party Committee, shared practical lessons and key recommendations to help Dong Nai seize opportunities to rise as a modern industrial and logistics hub alongside Ho Chi Minh City.

Opportunity to shape a growth pole and strengthen regional connectivity

According to Nguyen Tan Hung, Dong Nai’s transition into a centrally governed city marks not only an administrative milestone but also opens up a strategic development space for the entire Southeastern region. Positioned as a gateway linking Ho Chi Minh City with the Central Highlands and the South-central coastal region, Dong Nai also serves as a critical transport hub with an integrated system of expressways, seaports and, notably, Long Thanh International Airport.

“If guided in the right direction, Dong Nai will not only become a growth pole but also a locomotive that drives and spreads development across the region,” Hung emphasized.

In practice, synchronized infrastructure investment, particularly in inter-regional transport routes, has proven to generate strong spillover effects in attracting investment and boosting economic growth. From his experience, Hung stressed that no locality can achieve sustainable development in isolation from regional linkages.

In Binh Phuoc, this strategy was concretized through the planning of industrial parks closely connected with neighboring industrial centers in Binh Duong and Dong Nai. Prior to administrative restructuring, the province had 13 industrial parks, many located near border areas, proactively capturing investment relocation trends. In parallel, the investment environment was continuously improved.

Becamex Binh Phuoc Industrial Park  – a model of regional connectivity in the northern part of Dong Nai province. Photo: Ngoc Thuan

Among these, the Becamex Binh Phuoc Industrial Park (IP) project stands out as a strategic highlight that enhances regional connectivity efficiency. With its large scale and integrated planning under a modern industrial–urban–service model, the project has not only attracted secondary investors but also fostered a comprehensive production–logistics ecosystem.

Thanks to its advantageous connectivity with Ho Chi Minh City, the IP plays a crucial role as a “bridge” within the regional supply chain, helping reduce logistics costs and improve business competitiveness. At the same time, it contributes to the development of inter-regional transport infrastructure, increases land value and creates jobs for local workers, thereby reinforcing investor confidence in the business environment.

“Regional connectivity must go beyond orientation and be concretized through planning, infrastructure and a truly enabling investment environment,” Nguyen Tan Hung noted. Accordingly, while Ho Chi Minh City serves as a financial and service center, Dong Nai should position itself as a modern industrial and logistics hub, acting as a transit node linking production and exports across the region.

Repositioning its role in the Southern key economic region

Referring to the northern part of Dong Nai province (formerly part of Binh Phuoc), Hung described it as an area with ample room for development, particularly in terms of land availability, large-scale agriculture and renewable energy. In recent years, the area has been oriented to become a “new industrial zone” with impressive growth momentum. Per capita GRDP in 2024 reached approximately VND108 million, while occupancy rates in industrial parks rose rapidly and numerous agro-processing and clean energy projects were implemented.

“The northern area of the Dong Nai province should be considered a strategic buffer zone, easing urbanization pressure while creating new growth drivers for Dong Nai.”

Nguyen Tan Hung, former Secretary of the Binh Phuoc Provincial Party Committee.

To enhance connectivity effectiveness in the new phase, Hung proposed three key directions: forming a North–South economic corridor directly linking central Dong Nai with its northern area; restructuring development space toward an integrated industrial–urban–high-tech agriculture model; and selectively attracting investment in deep processing, renewable energy and supporting industries.

Moreover, he underscored the need to establish an institutionalized regional coordination mechanism to overcome fragmented and uncoordinated development. In the current context, Dong Nai is presented with a significant opportunity to reposition its role within the southern key economic region.

According to Nguyen Tan Hung, the goal is not only rapid growth but also sustainable and in-depth development. “Development must be viewed within the broader regional context. Once connectivity is unlocked, resources will be optimized, generating greater added value,” he said.

With its existing foundation and appropriate development orientation, Dong Nai is well positioned to emerge as a modern industrial and logistics center, playing a leading role in driving and spreading growth across the region once it officially becomes a centrally governed city.

By H. Cat – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha