Dong Nai launches first rental social housing project following Central Government's urgent directive

On June 12, Dong Nai City held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Long Binh Rental Social Housing Project (Phase 1), which has a scale of 1,000 apartments, in Long Binh Ward. This is the first housing development in Dong Nai City for workers, laborers, and low-income earners to rent. It is also considered a pioneering nationwide project in implementing the central government’s new policy.

Developing this model in a major industrial and urban center like Dong Nai is expected to provide a practical solution to housing challenges, strengthen social welfare, secure a stable workforce, and enhance the locality’s attractiveness to investors.

Turning the central government's major policy into reality in less than one month

According to the approved investment policy, theLong Binh Rental Social Housing Project will be built on a 1.52-hectare site in Long Binh Ward, an area surrounded by major industrial parks, including Amata, Agtex Long Binh, Bien Hoa 2, and Ho Nai.

Model of the Long Binh Rental Social Housing Project - Dong Nai City, Phase 1. This is Dong Nai's first social housing-for-rent project following the directive of General Secretary and President To Lam at the end of May 2026. Photo: Hoang Loc

This is the first social housing for rent project in Dong Nai City and also the first project nationwide to be implemented after the directive of General Secretary and President To Lam in Notice No. 64-TB/VPTW dated May 22, 2026, regarding the implementation of Directive No. 34-CT/TW of the Secretariat concerning the development of rental housing and future housing development orientations.

Notice No. 64 stresses the need for a strong shift from a housing support model focused mainly on ownership toward the development of diverse housing types, with rental housing serving as an important pillar to meet the practical needs of workers, laborers, and low-income individuals.

Dong Nai's rapid implementation of this policy within 1 month, through a 1,000-apartment project, demonstrates the locality's proactive and decisive spirit in advancing the central government's strategic orientations to ensure social welfare and sustainable urban development.

According to the investment policy approval decision of the Dong Nai City People's Committee, the Long Binh Rental Social Housing Project is built on a land area of about 1.52 hectares in Long Binh Ward, an area with many large industrial parks such as Amata, Agtex Long Binh, Bien Hoa 2, and Ho Nai.

Phase 1 includes a 20-story apartment complex comprising approximately 1,000 rental units ranging from 34 to 63 square meters, suitable for various target customers. The project carries a total investment of around 1.361 trillion VND, funded by the city budget.

With this project, residents and workers can rent long-term housing at an affordable cost. Not only housing, but the project also includes synchronous construction of technical infrastructure and internal amenities, including parking lots, community living areas, green spaces, fire protection systems, electricity supply, water supply and drainage, communication, and other auxiliary facilities.

When completed, the project will provide accommodation for thousands of people, mainly low-income workers and laborers, and those eligible for social housing support policies as regulated.

Accelerating projects in worker-dense areas

As one of Vietnam’s leading industrial centers, Dong Nai currently hosts 58 industrial parks, one economic zone, and numerous industrial clusters.

Rapid industrial development has generated significant demand for worker housing. According to construction sector statistics from 2025, Dong Nai City requires approximately 600,000–650,000 housing units, 150,000–160,000 of which are social housing units. Around 70 percent of this demand comes from workers employed in industrial parks.

Although social housing-for-sale projects and a limited number of rental housing developments have been implemented over the years, the total supply of rental social housing remains relatively small at around 1,700 units. This substantial gap between supply and demand has placed pressure on workers’ living conditions and the city’s industrial growth.

Amata Industrial Park, located in Long Binh Ward, Dong Nai City, is known for housing many large-scale manufacturing facilities. Adjacent areas to industrial parks: Agtex Long Binh, Bien Hoa 2, and Ho Nai. Photo: Hoang Loc

To address the issue and quickly implement the central government’s directive, city authorities have prioritized launching projects that provide workers with access to quality housing at affordable rents, thereby reducing financial burdens, improving living standards, and encouraging long-term commitment to the locality and businesses.

According to the directive of Nguyen Kim Long, Member of the City Party Committee’s Standing Board and Standing Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City People’s Committee, immediately after the initial step of the Long Binh Social Housing for Rent Project, the locality will continue to research and implement additional rental housing projects in areas with high concentrations of workers such as Nhon Trach, Long Thanh, Bien Hoa, and Trang Bom.

At the same time, the city has assigned the construction sector to comprehensively review demand for social housing, worker housing, and rental housing; and to evaluate land funds near industrial parks and urban areas to develop a development roadmap consistent with reality.

In addition, the city has asked investors in industrial park infrastructure to review service land reserves within industrial parks for investment in accommodation facilities for workers in accordance with regulations. In new industrial parks, developing housing for workers is a mandatory condition during project implementation.

Building a foundation for socio-economic development

At present, competition in attracting investment is becoming increasingly intense. Having large land reserves and a favorable location is no longer enough. These conditions must be accompanied by a sound investment environment, a clear development orientation, and high-quality social infrastructure, including housing, schools, and medical facilities for workers. These are the real foundations for attracting and retaining workers, especially young people, who form a stable workforce for production.

Industrial production in Amata Industrial Park, Long Binh Ward. Photo: Hoang Loc

When workers have suitable housing, reasonable living costs, and a safe living environment, businesses will reduce labor turnover, increase productivity, and improve production efficiency.

Therefore, Dong Nai's pioneering development of rental social housing under the new central government policy framework not only addresses immediate housing needs but also opens up a new approach in social welfare policy. The initiative represents a strategic step toward building a balanced industrial-urban-social ecosystem centered on workers and creating a solid foundation for the city’s long-term sustainable development.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho