Planning economic zones in line with green, sustainable growth

The National Assembly has officially passed a resolution establishing Dong Nai City, effective from April 30, 2026. To ensure Dong Nai City’s sustainable development in the coming period, the planning of economic zones needs to continue to be emphasized.

High-tech manufacturing plant of Bosch Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Long Thanh Industrial Park (Long Thanh Ward). Photo: Cong Nghia

Under the 2021–2030 master plan, with a vision to 2050, Dong Nai has divided its development space into five socio-economic zones. This zoning provides clear direction for industry, services linked with urban areas, agriculture, and border trade, creating momentum for green and sustainable growth and aiming to position Dong Nai as a high-tech industrial and international logistics hub by 2050.

Planning industrial zone

Dong Nai currently has 58 industrial parks (IPs) covering more than 21,000 hectares, serving as a key growth pillar (the index of industrial production (IIP)  in 2025 rose by 15.22%). Therefore, Dong Nai's strong transition to an ecological IP model, high-tech IP, and urban-service IP is a correct development strategy.

Accordingly, the innovation, aviation, and high-tech zone (including 27 communes and wards in the Southwest of the city (such as Bien Hoa, Tran Bien, Long Thanh, Nhon Trach, Dau Giay, Trang Bom...) needs to prioritize the development of green industry, aviation, electronics, high-end components, associated with Long Thanh International Airport. The ecological industrial - border gate zone, including 22 communes and wards in the Northwest of the city (An Loc, Binh Long, Binh Phuoc, Chon Thanh, Dong Phu, Dong Tam, Dong Xoai...) prioritizes the development of ecological IPs using renewable energy, deep processing of agricultural and forest products. The remaining zones focus on developing supporting industries, high-tech agricultural processing, and limiting labor-intensive industries.

Resolution No. 05/NQ-HDND, dated February 27, 2026, on approving the adjustment of Dong Nai Provincial Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, has divided the development space into 5 socio-economic zones. Specifically, these include: innovation, aviation, and high-tech zone; ecological industrial - border gate zone; high-tech agricultural zone; ecological nature and entertainment zone; and high-tech agricultural development zone associated with educational urban areas.

In addition, Dong Nai's application of green standards (such as ISO 14001, LEED) and targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 are essential. Similarly, the construction of specialized industrial clusters, linking supply chains in the Southeast - Central Highlands region, and attracting high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI) into semiconductors and clean energy are appropriate directions. At the same time, Dong Nai should focus on the circular economy to create a chain such as: agricultural output is the input for some industries; while the output of some industries are in turn reused to serve the agricultural development of the city.

The planning of industrial parks needs to consider natural - social conditions, especially comparative advantages, ensuring environmental safety; not to create environmental and social consequences due to industrial park construction.

Planning service zone associated with urban areas

The service sector serves as a new growth driver for Dong Nai to achieve first-grade urban area criteria. Smart, modern urban systems should be developed in Region 1, with the Bien Hoa – Long Thanh – Nhon Trach hub serving as its core, focusing on logistics, finance, MICE tourism (tourism combined with conferences, seminars, exhibitions, and incentives), healthcare, high-quality education, and free trade zones. Riverside space along the Dong Nai River can be developed into eco-urban chains combining resorts and commercial services. Region 2 will promote cross-border logistics, with Hoa Lu International Border Gate becoming a key trade hub. Other regions will focus on eco-tourism and experiential agriculture.

At the same time, investment in digital infrastructure and transport connectivity (expressways, urban rail) is crucial to achieve an urbanization rate of 55% by 2030, enhancing living standards and attracting talent and foreign investment.

Planning agricultural zone

Dong Nai's agriculture holds a significant proportion with strengths in fruit trees, industrial crops, and livestock. Therefore, the shift towards high-tech, organic, and ecological organic agriculture in Regions 3 and 5, forming large-scale concentrated commodity production areas, will be the "key" to creating breakthroughs in agricultural development. A closed value chain—from production to processing to consumption—should be developed, closely linked with deep-processing industries. Multi-functional agriculture (agritourism, eco-experiences) should be associated with riverside urban development. Policies should support high-tech agricultural enterprises through preferential credit, farmer training, and pilot models in midland and Northeastern areas.

Planning needs to consider the protection of high-quality agricultural land, applying circular economy principles, reducing emissions, and adapting to climate change. The goal by 2030 is for agriculture to contribute sustainably, with high added value, becoming a typical smart agricultural model in the Southeast region.

Planning border economic zone

With a 258.9 km border and key gateways such as Hoa Lu International Border Gate and national border gates Hoang Dieu and Loc Thinh, border trade presents a new advantage following provincial merger. The Hoa Lu Border Economic Zone, therefore, can be developed into a logistics and cross-border trade hub, facilitating agricultural exports and transit goods to Cambodia. Industrial–service clusters in the ecological industrial - border gate zone should combine strategic production and processing of agricultural and forestry products.

To support border economy to develop smoothly, infrastructure investment in border gate is needed, including transport links, warehouses, and non-tariff zones. Strategic connections between ASEAN corridors, Long Thanh Airport, and Cai Mep–Thi Vai Port should be studied, along with cross-regional economic corridors linking the Central Highlands, Southeast region, and Cambodia. It is essential to combine border tourism and commercial services to create jobs, promote local economy; ensure national defense - security in parallel with economic development.

During the implementation process, it is necessary to build specific mechanisms for the border economic zone; cooperate with Cambodia in border management and trade.

Implementation solutions

The first solution is building a legal framework and specific policy mechanisms. It is necessary to immediately issue a detailed implementation plan for Dong Nai city's planning until 2030 with a roadmap for the 2026-2030 and 2031-2050 periods; build specific policy mechanisms to be submitted to the Central Government for approval such as: corporate income tax incentives, exemption or reduction of land use fees for high-tech projects, green economy, border logistics and border gate economic zones; complete regulations on spatial management according to five regions, integrating land use planning, technical infrastructure and social infrastructure.

The second is focusing on infrastructure investment. Priority should be given to investment in transportation (expressways, railways), renewable energy, environmental treatment, and synchronized digital infrastructure across the five regions. Currently, the transportation infrastructure connecting industrial clusters and urban areas in Dong Nai and formerly Binh Phuoc is limited; some main roads passing through the province are congested, requiring timely solutions for expansion and improvement. In addition, information technology infrastructure in some border areas, remote and isolated areas also needs additional investment.

The third solution is human resources development. Promoting high-quality vocational training, attracting  talent, school-enterprise cooperation is needed. Attention should be paid to planning the construction of several high-quality universities; as well as to strengthen regional links between the Southeast - Central Highlands; promote public-private investment (PPP); mobilize ODA and FDI capital.

The fourth is to focus on environmental protection and sustainable development. It is essential to apply green economy, circular economy; closely monitor strategic environmental assessments, ensuring sustainable development. The application of science and technology should be strengthened with the spirit of "leapfrogging" to promote breakthrough development.

The fifth solution is ensuring social security. It is necessary to ensure inclusive development, sustainable poverty reduction in border and rural areas; focus on creating jobs for local workers and caring for vulnerable groups. Attention should be paid to build a periodic monitoring and evaluation system; as well as adjust flexibly according to the actual situation.

The planning of Dong Nai's economic zones needs to be implemented synchronously and flexibly, with green economy - circular economy as the focus. With clear orientations for high-tech industry, modern urban services, smart agriculture, and vibrant border trade, Dong Nai is poised to become a new growth pole of the Southeast region, contributing to the realization of Vietnam's aspiration for prosperity.

By Nguyen Minh Hai -- Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha