Advanced new-style rural development - foundation for upgrading to wards

Since April 30, 2026, Dong Nai City has officially comprised 33 wards and 62 communes, marking an important milestone in its urbanization process.
Behind these figures, however, lies a crucial question: what serves as the foundation for communes to gradually be upgraded into wards? In reality, the advanced and model new-style rural development program is emerging as the answer.

As one of the leading industrial centers nationwide, Dong Nai attracts over 3,000 domestic and foreign enterprise projects from more than 50 countries and territories. Industry continues to be a growth pillar in the coming period. However, instead of allowing the gap between urban and rural areas to widen, Dong Nai chooses a balanced development approach, in which rural areas are systematically invested through the advanced and model new-style rural development program, aiming to improve people's lives and narrow the development gap.

Under its development plan until 2030, the city aims to restructure the agricultural sector in tandem with growth model innovation, promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly and climate-adaptive development. Agricultural production is gradually shifting away from small-scale farming toward value-chain organization centered on key products, high technology applications, and deep processing industries. This strategy not only increases output but also enhances the value of agricultural products.

Reality shows that many localities have formed large-scale specialized cultivation and livestock breeding areas, capable of supplying for processing and export. Notably, in recent years, international retail corporations such as Walmart, Amazon, Safeway (USA); Falabella (Chile); Aeon, Uniqlo (Japan); Carrefour, Decathlon (France); Central Group (Thailand); Ikea (Sweden); Coppel (Mexico)... have continuously come to Vietnam to seek sources of goods. Dong Nai has become one of the destinations chosen by the corporations to order industrial, agricultural, and handicraft products.

This opens up clear opportunities: if localities choose the right key products, build brands, and participate in global supply chains, the value of agricultural products will increase significantly. When output is stable, people will boldly invest in science and technology, improve productivity, quality, and increase income. As a result, the rural economy develops, creating resources to complete the criteria for advanced new-style rural development, moving towards model and smart new-style rural areas.

It can be seen that advanced, model, and smart new-style rural development is not only the destination of agricultural development but also the foundation for communes to gradually complete urban criteria, moving towards becoming wards. This is a fundamental development path, helping the city's urbanization process take place sustainably, without creating "gaps" in infrastructure and quality of life.

From a resilient land during wartime to a dynamic economic center after 40 years of renewal, Dong Nai now stands before major opportunities for breakthrough development. The target of reaching a GRDP of approximately USD150 billion by 2045, with per capita GRDP nearing USD24,000 and achieving net-zero emissions, is entirely achievable.

The key issue now is not simply potential or advantages, but how implementation is organized. When government, businesses, and people work together, advanced new-style rural development will truly become a “launching pad” for Dong Nai to achieve faster and more sustainable growth in the journey ahead.

By Khanh Minh - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha