Eco-smart urban development: a springboard for growth

Developing eco-friendly and smart urban areas to improve quality of life while pursuing sustainable growth has been a consistent orientation of Dong Nai province over the years. As the locality approaches the threshold of becoming a centrally governed city, this orientation is an inevitable requirement, serving as a strategic springboard and unlocking new growth potential.

Aqua City eco-urban area in Long Hung ward, Dong Nai province. Photo: Hoang Loc.

Alongside existing and emerging projects, Dong Nai continues to attract investment into large-scale urban projects to elevate its position and shape a distinctive identity.

Green “nuclei” shape a new urban landscape

In late March 2026, the Party Central Committee approved the policy to establish Dong Nai as a centrally governed city. This marks a historic turning point, opening a new phase of development while also placing higher demands on infrastructure, governance capacity, the investment environment and residents’ quality of life.

In the urban sector, the orientation toward eco-friendly, smart and modern residential areas was set early on. From earlier Party congresses through to the formulation of the provincial master plan for 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050, Dong Nai has consistently defined its pathway: urban development must go hand in hand with environmental protection, efficient use of natural resources and improved living standards.

In reality, a number of urban areas have emerged as “green nuclei” helping turn this vision into reality. Notable examples include Kim Quy Island (Bien Hoa ward), Aqua City (Long Hung ward), Dong Sai Gon (Nhon Trach commune) and Dai Phuoc (Dai Phuoc commune). These projects are systematically planned, aiming to deliver green, modern and sustainable living spaces.

Nguyen Thanh Chuong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TTC Land, said the Kim Quy Island project is being developed with the expectation of becoming a new symbol of high-end ecological urban area. Located on an islet in the Dong Nai River with convenient connections to key transport axes, the project features integrated planning and modern amenities designed to meet high-quality living demands.

Meanwhile, a representative of Novaland, the developer of Aqua City project, noted that the approval of Dong Nai’s elevation to a centrally governed city in 2026 marks an important milestone, opening up new opportunities for the Southern key economic region. With its large population, strong growth and especially the advantage drawn from Long Thanh International Airport, Dong Nai is undergoing a robust transformation into an international connectivity hub.

In this context, the presence of large-scale urban areas such as Aqua City demonstrates the alignment between businesses and the province’s development vision. Beyond creating green and modern riverside living spaces, these projects also contribute to completing the service ecosystem, improving social welfare and gradually shaping a civilized and modern urban landscape.

Alongside existing projects, Dong Nai has approved investment policies and is calling for investment in a number of large-scale urban projects, including Hiep Hoa urban area, a combined urban–commercial–service complex and new administrative–political center, as well as an eco-tourism and resort complex at Chua Chan Mountain. These are seen as key projects to expand the province’s urban development space.

Towards modern urban systems

Dong Nai holds a strategic geo-economic position as a convergence point of the southern key economic regions, while also serving as one of Vietnam’s industrial hubs. The province boasts a comprehensive transport system, including an international airport, seaports and integrated multimodal transport infrastructure. This provides a strong foundation for developing modern, smart and distinctive urban systems.

Dong Nai’s urban network is planned under a multi-center structure, closely linked with riverside development corridors and airport-oriented zones. At the same time, efforts are being made to ensure synchronized infrastructure investment and tight control over urban expansion.

Ho Van Ha, member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, said that thanks to its clear orientation and the synchronized implementation of solutions, ranging from planning, management to investment attraction, Dong Nai has developed a number of new urban areas in recent years, contributing to boosting socio-economic growth and reshaping the urban landscape. However, compared to its potential, the province still lacks truly iconic urban areas with distinctive identities. Therefore, urban development goals and orientations have been clearly specified in the Resolution of the Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term as well as in the adjusted provincial master plan.

Accordingly, Dong Nai aims to develop urban areas following a sustainable, green and smart model, while enhancing resilience to climate change.

A key focus is the development of urban areas associated with ecological spaces, particularly along the Dong Nai River corridor, in order to effectively leverage natural landscapes and water surfaces to form riverside urban areas integrated with services and tourism. These urban areas are also set to be self-sufficient and balanced, ensuring adequate jobs, housing and essential services.

In addition, the planning sets out to build an urban network closely connected to strategic transport corridors, with key growth urban areas such as Bien Hoa, Long Thanh, Nhon Trach and Trang Bom, linked to industry, logistics and high-quality services. Development will go hand in hand with landscape preservation, cultural identity conservation, expansion of green spaces and promotion of energy-efficient, low-emission buildings.

Commenting on the adjusted provincial master plan, Dr., architect and urban planning expert Ngo Viet Nam Son, Chairman of NgoViet Architects & Planners in Ho Chi Minh City, said that the Dong Nai River corridor, including the Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park currently undergoing functional conversion, holds great potential for developing a chain of modern riverside urban areas. The establishment of the urban–commercial–service complex and administrative–political center in this area will not only create a civilized and modern living and working environment but also serve as a distinctive architectural and urban highlight, helping shape Dong Nai’s urban appearance and its unique identity.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha