Opportunities for trade and services to accelerate in Dong Nai

The trade and services sector in Dong Nai holds significant potential for growth, with ample room to scale up operations and diversify retail channels to better meet consumer demand. At the same time, the city is prioritizing infrastructure investment to develop a modern and integrated trade and services ecosystem.

Despite market fluctuations over the past few years, the sector has maintained relatively strong growth. Notably, the application of technology in business operations, along with the diversification of retail and service models, has been increasingly adopted.

Expanding the modern retail network

In 1996, the first modern supermarket in Dong Nai, and among the earliest in Vietnam, was established as Cora Supermarket (now GO! Dong Nai) at the Vung Tau intersection in Long Hung ward. Since then, the network of supermarkets and commercial centers in Dong Nai has continued to expand.

Consumers shop for food at GO! Dong Nai Supermarket (Long Hung ward). Photo: Hai Quan

According to Olivier Langlet, General Director of Central Retail Vietnam, GO! Dong Nai has been operating under a more modern, customer-friendly format since late January 2026. This upgrade reflects the company’s long-term commitment to enhancing service standards while contributing to local development. Spanning more than 52,000 square meters, the complex features a single-level commercial space designed as a multifunctional center integrating shopping, dining, education, and entertainment.

Currently, Dong Nai is home to nine commercial centers and 20 supermarkets, alongside a growing number of convenience store chains and mini-marts extending even into remote areas. The city has also seen a strong expansion of convenience store brands such as Bach Hoa Xanh, WinMart, Co.opFood, GS25, FamilyMart, Circle K, and Maxidi, along with thousands of small retailers and more than 190 traditional markets that supply essential goods.

Bui Phan Quoc Viet, Deputy General Director of C.P. Vietnam Corporation in Long Hung ward, said the company currently operates 22 CP Fresh Mart and CP Fresh Shop outlets in Dong Nai, offering convenient access to fresh food such as pork, chicken, and eggs.

As Dong Nai has become a city, its transport and logistics infrastructure is expected to receive more synchronized and strategic investment. This endeavor will help optimize transportation costs and enhance the competitiveness of trade and services. Meanwhile, commercial infrastructure continues to be modernized, with investments in markets, supermarkets, and large-scale commercial projects to meet rising demand from residents and businesses.

Nguyen Quoc Minh, Director of Co.opmart Dong Xoai in Binh Phuoc ward, noted that the establishment of Dong Nai City would serve as a strong catalyst for the entire Southern region, particularly Northern Dong Nai. From a retail perspective, he described it as a key lever to attract investment and improve business support policies. He added that enterprises would continue innovating and expanding regional linkages to translate planning advantages into tangible value, thereby boosting purchasing power and shaping modern consumption trends.

In logistics, the city has recorded notable progress. Key logistics hubs such as Tan Cang - Nhon Trach ICD, Long Binh ICD, and Dong Nai Port ICD, along with the Phuoc An Port Logistics Service Area, are improving connectivity between road, inland waterway, and seaport transport, thereby reducing delivery time and costs. In addition, investment in the infrastructure of the Hoa Lu Border Gate Economic Zone is being strengthened to facilitate trade and improve import-export management.

Vu Ngoc Long, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said the sector would coordinate with relevant agencies to develop large-scale logistics centers linked to seaports, Long Thanh International Airport, ICD systems, and inter-regional transport corridors. The development of wholesale markets and modern commercial centers, combined with digital transformation and e-commerce, will further expand market space for businesses.

Promoting digital transformation and sustainable consumption

E-commerce in Dong Nai continues to grow, with more consumers turning to online shopping platforms. Digital transformation has enabled businesses and OCOP (One Commune One Product Program) producers to reduce operating costs, optimize order processing, and increase revenue, while building more professional production and marketing processes.

Le Cao Thang, owner of Hoa Sen Condiment Facility in Binh Loc ward, said the business would step up product promotion while leveraging e-commerce to bring OCOP products closer to consumers, thereby enhancing the brand and value of its products, as well as those of local OCOP offerings.

Duong Van Nhan, Director of the Dong Nai Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, emphasized that digital transformation is an effective tool that opens up new opportunities for innovation in investment, trade, and tourism promotion. He said the center prioritizes the application of information technology and digital platforms to provide data on projects, investment environments, and business support, thereby improving the effectiveness of promotional activities.

Alongside digital transformation, businesses and commercial centers are increasingly adopting technological solutions to integrate digital payment systems and promote cashless transactions. These innovations not only enhance service quality but also attract customers in an increasingly technology-driven market. At the same time, the sector is placing greater emphasis on green transformation, promoting sustainable production and consumption based on science, technology, and innovation.

Retail and service sectors in Dong Nai have remained vibrant, particularly during holidays, when large-scale promotional campaigns are launched to stimulate demand. According to the Dong Nai Statistics Office, total retail sales and consumer service revenue in the first quarter of 2026 reached over VND 112.8 trillion, up 17.58% year-on-year.

Trang Phuc, a representative of the Marketing Department at Co.opmart Bien Hoa, noted that consumers are increasingly prioritizing fresh, clean, and traceable agricultural products, especially those that meet VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards. As price gaps between organic and conventional products narrow, consumers now have more options, while green products are gaining wider appeal across different market segments.

By H.Hai – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho