Enhancing connectivity, developing aviation services

Dong Nai is one of the key trade hubs in Southern region. In particular, the operation of Long Thanh International Airport, together with Phuoc An Port, is expected to become a powerful driver for boosting import-export activities, industrial production, logistics services, e-commerce, finance, and science and technology.

The system for monitoring and managing port service operations within the operating area of Phuoc An Port in Phuoc An commune. Photo: Hai Quan

Developing modern logistics service infrastructure

Dong Nai possesses significant potential and advantages to develop leading logistics services in the Southern Key Economic Region, featuring a multimodal transport system, highlighted by Long Thanh International Airport and major national connectivity projects. The province has been focusing on building a solid infrastructure foundation, creating momentum for the development of modern, multi-modal logistics services.

Currently, in the field of trade, services, and logistics, the province's logistics infrastructure has seen notable improvements. Inland container depots (ICDs) dry ports, and river ports such as Tan Cang – Nhon Trach ICD, Long Binh ICD, and Dong Nai Port ICD, along with the Phuoc An Port logistics service area, have been operating effectively. These facilities enhance connectivity between road, inland waterway, and seaport transport, helping reduce transit times and logistics costs for businesses. Commercial infrastructure is also being upgraded, with expanded networks of markets, supermarkets, shopping centers, and large-scale commercial projects meeting the growing needs of residents and enterprises.

According to experts, beyond strategic location advantages and the development momentum from airports, seaports, industrial zones, and airport urban areas, human resources will be the decisive factor for Dong Nai’s growth and breakthroughs.

Provincial Party Committee member, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade Vu Ngoc Long stated that in the coming period, the industry and trade sector will coordinate with relevant departments, agencies, and localities to promote investment in large-scale logistics centers associated with ports, Long Thanh Airport, ICD dry port systems, border gates, and inter-regional transport corridors. Efforts will also focus on developing modern commercial infrastructure linked to digital transformation and e-commerce.

The formation of Long Thanh Airport city - the nucleus of the largest aviation service region in the country, alongside the Dong Nai River corridor - a modern urban development axis in the Southern part of the province, is a dual driving force, both promoting services - trade - logistics and activating the real estate, finance, and tourism markets, creating a breakthrough in the local economy.

Nguyen Duy Hung, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Logistics Association, emphasized that Dong Nai is not merely an industrial province, but is on the way to becoming the “logistics heart” of the Southern Key Economic Region. With steady GRDP growth and continuously increasing FDI inflows into industrial parks, the demand for a smart, synchronized logistics system is critical to retaining investors and promoting exports.

Furthermore, once Long Thanh Airport becomes operational, Dong Nai will not only be an international air transit hub and develop its strong sectors in logistics, trade, and industry, but also have the advantage of being a data transit and connection point, attracting the development of information technology industry...

Associate Professor Dr. Tu Diep Cong Thanh, Director of the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Center (IPTC) at Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, noted that becoming a centrally governed city would help Dong Nai shift from being an industrial production center to a regional innovation and science-technology market center with momentum driven from strong institutions, resources, and extensive regional linkages.

When becoming a centrally governed city, Dong Nai will be positioned higher in the national science and technology development strategy. This will not only help attract high-quality resources but also elevate the value of research, innovation, and technology transfer activities in the area.

Potential and development momentum from the free trade zone

Dong Nai is planning the development of the Long Thanh Airport urban area, including a free trade zone, high-tech industrial park, a concentrated digital technology zone, innovation hub, high-quality education and training zone, aviation logistics areas, and aviation service centers to ensure working and living conditions for the intellectual and creative class in the region.

The Phuoc An Port area in Phuoc An commune has the potential and advantages to develop a free trade zone linked to Long Thanh International Airport. In the photo: Port and logistics service activities at Phuoc An Port. Photo: Hai Quan

The development of the free trade zone aims to attract strategic investors in advanced industries, leveraging synergies with logistics and services to optimize the entire production-to-export process. It also envisions building a leading MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism cluster in Southern region, building financial and commercial centers offering support services for businesses and free trade finance…

Dr. of Science, Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son, Chairman of HCM City-based NgoViet Architects & Planners, highlighted that Dong Nai has significant advantages for developing a free trade zone. The province ha ample land resources to develop a centralized free trade zone directly connected to Long Thanh Airport and major seaport clusters such as Cai Mep – Thi Vai and Phuoc An. To maximize efficiency, Dong Nai should integrate the free trade zone with key infrastructure, urban areas, and economic-financial centers.

Dr. Truong Minh Huy Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, commented that the free trade zone in Dong Nai needs to be oriented towards regional linkage development, developing new growth spaces with Long Thanh Airport as the center, leveraging Dong Nai's development potential. Regarding the development of the free trade zone, the province needs to focus on transportation connectivity and implement appropriate mechanisms to create momentum to attract investors to the free trade zone with integrated, modern services…

By Hai Quan – Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha