Dong Nai targets net zero emissions by 2050

More than two years ago, Dong Nai became the first locality in Vietnam to issue a dedicated plan targeting net zero emissions by 2050. This is not only an environmental commitment but also a strategic shift to reshape its growth model, aiming to become a green development hub in Vietnam.

A corner of Trang Bom ward. Photo: Thanh Toan

The goal not only anticipates global trends but also lays the groundwork for enhancing competitiveness, attracting green investment flows and ensuring long-term sustainable development.

Clear roadmap across sectors

In early 2024, Dong Nai issued its Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050 (Net zero plan). Notably, this was the first provincial-level plan of its kind in the country following Vietnam’s commitment at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), held in the United Kingdom in 2021. The plan targets net zero emissions by 2050 and identifies seven priority sectors for transformation, in energy, transport, industry, environment, agriculture–forestry and land use, construction–materials, and urban areas.

In the industrial sector, the backbone of the local economy, Pham Van Phuong, Deputy Head in charge of the Dong Nai Economic and Industrial Zones Authority, said Dong Nai is accelerating the “greening” of industrial parks. In February 2026, Dong Nai issued Plan No. 76/KH-UBND to transform existing industrial parks into green and eco-industrial parks. Accordingly, infrastructure will be upgraded and integrated with clean technologies, renewable energy and circular economy models.

Nguyen Kim Long, Standing Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee, noted that the province is moving in the right direction, from a labor-intensive industrial hub toward a high-tech manufacturing center with global competitiveness. However, he stressed that this transition requires close coordination among sectors and localities to ensure feasibility, transparency and a favorable business environment.

In agriculture and forestry, Dong Nai holds significant advantages with more than 370,000 hectares of forest, serving as a source of timber and medicinal resources, preserving biodiversity and acting as a major carbon sink. At the same time, with a large agricultural land base, the province is promoting high-tech farming and forming concentrated production zones. Recently, a 1,500-hectare high-tech livestock, production and processing complex in the Northern area of the city was launched, aiming to enhance agricultural value, promote circular economy practices, reuse waste and utilize renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Dong Nai aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In photo: A green urban area in Tran Bien ward. Photo: Hoang Loc

In urban development, Dong Nai is pursuing an ecological model adaptable to climate change, leveraging strategic infrastructure such as Long Thanh International Airport. Ho Van Ha, Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee, said the City will focus on developing riverside and lakeside spaces into eco-urban areas, thereby creating greener living environments, reducing emissions and improving residents’ quality of life. New urban projects will follow energy-saving criteria, increase green coverage, use environmentally friendly materials and integrate smart infrastructure.

Toward a model green city

In fact, Dong Nai has long pursued sustainable development through selective investment attraction, eco-oriented urban planning, energy efficiency and the promotion of renewable energy. The province has also taken the lead in protecting natural forests to preserve forest coverage, biodiversity and ecosystems.

The rollout of the Net zero plan, along with synchronized solutions across key sectors, is expected to comprehensively restructure the development model and achieve the goal of becoming a Net zero city.

Specifically, Dong Nai aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 compared to current levels, 45% by 2035, achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy General Director of KN Holdings, said during recent meetings with the city leaders that the company highly appreciates Dong Nai’s roadmap and solutions toward emission reduction. In the industrial sector, the firm is developing three large-scale industrial parks, Bau Can–Tan Hiep (phase 1), Xuan Que–Song Nhan (phase 1) and Long Duc 3 expansion, based on green and smart models. These projects integrate systems for infrastructure, environmental and security monitoring, while prioritizing high-tech industries, aviation support industries, precision engineering, data centers and smart logistics. In addition, the company is promoting renewable energy projects to supply electricity to these industrial parks, contributing to emission reduction.

Meanwhile, Duong Van Bac, General Director of Novaland, said the group is developing a riverside eco-urban project spanning more than 1,000 hectares in Dong Nai. The project is designed under green and sustainable principles, contributing to high-quality housing supply and local socio-economic development, while aiming to become a model eco-urban area.

Le Nhu Linh, General Director of Petrovietnam Power Corporation, said that by the end of 2025, the Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 power plants in Dong Nai had officially commenced commercial operations. The projects are of strategic significance, adding around 9 billion kWh annually to the national grid, helping ensure energy security and pioneering the transition toward cleaner energy sources in line with net zero goals. At the same time, they provide a foundation for developing gas-fired power projects under the national Power Development Plan VIII.

For Dong Nai, the projects help strengthen stable electricity supply, ease energy shortages and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby improving environmental quality. Moreover, the presence of modern gas power complexes is expected to attract further investment, promote supporting industries and logistics services, and contribute to a greener and more sustainable economic restructuring.

Net zero is a long-term strategic direction. The sooner this goal is achieved, the stronger Dong Nai’s competitive edge will be, positioning the city as a model for green and sustainable urban development across the country.

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