Dong Nai enters a golden era of breakthrough growth

Dong Nai is drawing nationwide attention as it becomes Vietnam’s seventh city during the first session of the 16th National Assembly (NA).

This marks a proud and historic moment for the Party Committee, authorities and people of Dong Nai, creating strong momentum for the city to move further ahead. It reinforces Dong Nai’s standing as a land tied to the country’s Southward expansion, carrying historical and cultural values closely linked to national development, while also serving as a major growth pole and an increasingly attractive destination for global investors.

Defining milestones in Dong Nai’s transformation

Dong Nai City stands at a defining moment, a rare opportunity to accelerate its rise as a dynamic growth center and a modern hub for industry, services, logistics, tourism and high-tech agriculture in Southern Vietnam and across the country.

Dong Nai is a destination for foreign investors. In photo: high-tech medical equipment production at Terumo BCT Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Long Duc Industrial Park, Binh An commune. Photo: Ngoc Lien

A look back at Dong Nai’s socio-economic achievements in recent years shows that the locality has consistently upheld a spirit of solidarity, resilience and determination in overcoming challenges to achieve important growth targets and steadily improve the quality of life for its people.

During the 2021–2025 period, Dong Nai recorded average annual economic growth of 7.11%. Total state budget revenue exceeded VND378 trillion. By 2025, the province’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) surpassed VND677.9 trillion, while GRDP per capita reached nearly VND153 million, equivalent to around USD6,066.

Beyond being one of the country’s industrial powerhouses, Dong Nai has also emerged as a leading locality in building new-style rural areas and advancing organic, high-tech agriculture through circular linkages, production chains and deep processing. Notably, since July 2025, the province has become Vietnam’s leading cashew export hub, with the largest cashew cultivation area nationwide.

In 2025, Dong Nai marked a significant milestone in its development with several first-time achievements. Its annual GRDP reached nearly VND678 trillion, up 9.63% compared to 2024, placing it at the top nationwide in fulfilling growth targets. It was also the first time the locality’s budget revenue surpassed the VND100 trillion mark.

In the first quarter of 2026, Dong Nai posted growth of 9.76%, ranking seventh nationwide and the highest in Southern Vietnam in terms of GRDP growth. Investment attraction remained strong, reaffirming Dong Nai’s appeal. The province secured over VND15.5 trillion in domestic investment and more than USD1.1 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI). State budget revenue also remained robust, reaching nearly VND31 trillion, equivalent to 31% of the estimates assigned by the Prime Minister and the Provincial People’s Council.

Speaking at the province’s first-quarter 2026 socio-economic review conference, Nguyen Van Ut, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee (now Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the City People’s Committee), said that despite the short implementation period, Dong Nai recorded encouraging socio-economic results in the first quarter, with multiple indicators exceeding the national average. Based on these results, the City leader  called for stronger coordination and targeted action to sustain momentum and achieve the city’s 2026 growth targets.

A historic turning point

The NA passed the Resolution establishing Dong Nai City, effective from April 30, 2026. From this point forward, the new Dong Nai City, with a historical and cultural legacy spanning nearly 330 years, will move forward with the vision of becoming a civilized, modern and environmentally responsible city. Built on green and sustainable economic foundations, it is set to play a strategic role in regional connectivity and national growth.

Production line for vehicle engine equipment and spare parts at Vietnam Precision JSC in Ho Nai IP, Ho Nai ward.

According to a report submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the first session of the 16th NA, Dong Nai has effectively leveraged its geographic position, historical legacy, defense and security role, as well as cultural and social strengths to become one of Vietnam’s largest economies and among the country’s leading localities.

During the same session, many NA deputies affirmed that Dong Nai had met all the necessary criteria and was well positioned to become one of the country’s most important growth poles. Nguyen Minh Tam, a NA deputy from Quang Tri province, voiced his support, noting that Dong Nai had outgrown its current provincial-level governance framework, which no longer reflected its development potential or regional coordination role. With 95 communes and wards, a high rate of urbanization, and one of the country’s strongest socio-economic profiles, Dong Nai’s growth indicators, industrial structure and fiscal capacity all underscore its readiness for a larger position.

Under the Dong Nai provincial master plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, the city aims to become a dynamic and pioneering economy in aviation, silver economy, low-altitude economy, high-tech industry, science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Its socio-economic infrastructure and urban systems are expected to develop in a synchronized, modern, smart and sustainable direction, while preserving local identity. Dong Nai is envisioned as a hub for airport urban development and world-class ecological urban areas, capable of hosting regional and international events.

Development will be inclusive, ensuring no one is left behind, while cultural identity is preserved, biodiversity protected, climate adaptation strengthened, and national defense and security firmly maintained.

Dong Nai covers more than 12,700 square kilometers, has a population of nearly 4.5 million people, and includes 95 communes and wards.

Located in the Southern Key Economic Region, Dong Nai benefits from an integrated transport network spanning all five major modes: road, air, rail, maritime and inland waterways. Major projects such as Long Thanh International Airport, Phuoc An Port and a network of 10 expressways already completed, under construction or in the pipeline, are expected to further enhance its attractiveness to investors.

According to the provincial master plan, by 2030 Dong Nai aims to develop in a civilized, modern and sustainable direction, achieving high growth and surpassing the threshold of high-income status among the country’s leading localities.

In addition, Dong Nai shares a 259-kilometer border with the Kingdom of Cambodia and is expanding cross-border trade through the Hoa Lu Border Gate Economic Zone.

Together with 86 industrial parks designated in development planning, the city is well positioned to serve as a major growth pole and contribute meaningfully to national economic development. This view was underscored by Vu Hong Van, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee (now Secretary of the City Party Committee), and Head of Dong Nai NA Deputies’ Delegation, during a group discussion on April 20 at the first session of the 16th NA.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha