Dong Nai welcomes new growth drivers

After more than a decade of anticipation, dozens of kilometers of the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway were officially put into operation in late April 2026, adding a new driver of development for Dong Nai.

A modern, synchronized, multi-modal transport infrastructure system is gradually taking shape, providing strong momentum for Dong Nai to accelerate its growth as a newly established city.

Connecting the airport to the seaport

For the Southeast region, the country’s key economic zone, Long Thanh International Airport is seen as a major new growth engine. With its position as the largest airport in the country upon completion, Long Thanh Airport is expected to combine with Tan Son Nhat Airport to form a powerful, modern airport cluster, becoming one of the major aviation hubs in the region in the future, promoting the competitiveness of Vietnam's aviation industry on the path of international integration, contributing to the successful implementation of the strategic breakthrough in transport infrastructure.

Nguyen Van Ut (2nd from right), Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee (Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the Dong Nai City People's Committee now), inspects the progress of the Project to Upgrade and Expand Provincial Road 25B. Photo: Pham Tung

Meanwhile,  Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water port complex is the largest international deep-water port cluster in Vietnam and is among the top 50 largest container ports in the world. This initiative is an important international gateway, capable of receiving large-tonnage container ships directly to Europe and America.

In this context, the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway is not only a transport axis connecting Dong Nai with Ho Chi Minh City but also an important route connecting Long Thanh Airport with Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water port complex, along with National Highway 51.

The Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway is nearly 54 km long, with more than 34 km passing through Dong Nai City and about 19.5 km through Ho Chi Minh City. Construction began in mid-2023. After nearly three years of construction, the main route of the expressway is now basically complete and ready for operation.

According to the Project Management Board 85, the project owner of Component Project 2 of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway, the main route, which is more than 18 km long, has been completed, ensuring it can be put into operation by the end of April 2026. Component Project 2 still has several auxiliary works being finalized and scheduled for completion by mid-May 2026, including drainage ditches, slope reinforcement, and guardrail installation. These items do not affect the operating conditions of the main route.

Similarly, more than 19km of Component Project 3, the section passing through Ho Chi Minh City, has also met the conditions for putting the main route into operation. Meanwhile, 16km of Component Project 1, managed by the Provincial Investment and Construction Project Management Board, will also be open to traffic by the end of April 2026.

A key foundation shaping a regional urban area

Following the expressway, in the first half of 2026, Dong Nai will continue to welcome several major transport projects, including Ring Road 3 of Ho Chi Minh City, Provincial Road 25B (from Nhon Trach Ward center to National Highway 51), and Provincial Road 25C (from National Highway 51 to Backroad 19). These strategic projects not only support connectivity to Long Thanh Airport but also expand development space for Dong Nai City.

More than 37km of the main route of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Expressway will be temporarily put into operation before April 30.

During the actual inspection of Provincial Road 25B and 25C projects in mid-April 2026, Nguyen Van Ut, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee (Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the Dong Nai City People's Committee now), emphasized that these are key projects of the province to serve the connection to Long Thanh Airport. Dong Nai has committed to the Government to complete these projects by the end of June 2026. Therefore, units must strive to implement them to fulfill this commitment.

In addition to road routes, Dong Nai is currently coordinating with Ho Chi Minh City to accelerate the completion of investment procedures for the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh urban railway (metro) lines, extending the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line to the city's administrative center, and Long Thanh Airport. Most recently, the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee, now the Dong Nai City People’s Committee, submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister regarding the issuance of a decision to construct an urgent project for the extension of the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line to the city's administrative center and Long Thanh Airport, aiming to commence this project in 2026.

According to the approved plan, more than 37km of the main section of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway is expected to be temporarily opened before April 30, allowing only cars with fewer than 9 seats to circulate; it will temporarily connect via Bung Mon Road.

Notably, as required by the Government, Phase 1 of the Long Thanh Airport Project will also be put into commercial operation by the end of 2026.

It can be said that, with a series of transportation infrastructure projects that have been, are being, and are about to be implemented, Dong Nai City is at a point where it will receive new driving forces to accelerate its development in the near future.

According to Nguyen Kim Long, Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City People’s Committee, the key foundation for shaping the stature of a regional urban center in Dong Nai is a modern multi-modal transport infrastructure system that ensures integrated connectivity. Beyond road infrastructure, Dong Nai has established a strategic connectivity framework that integrates all five modes of transport: aviation, railways, roads, inland waterways, and international maritime transport. Dong Nai's role as a connectivity axis is clearly reflected in its multi-modal transport infrastructure, which is being developed in a coordinated, modern manner.

By Pham Tung – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho