Dong Nai accelerates transition to eco-industrial parks

Dong Nai remains one of Vietnam's leading destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI). However, its rapid industrial expansion has also intensified pressure on energy demand, water resources, waste treatment systems and control of greenhouse gas emissions.

Amata Industrial Park is the first unit in Dong Nai to implement the transformation to an eco-industrial park.

Against this backdrop, transforming industrial parks (IPs) into eco-industrial parks has become an urgent priority, in line with both local and national development strategies. Dong Nai is now stepping up measures to accelerate this transition.

A new model for industrial parks

International investors are increasingly evaluating production locations based on the availability of clean energy, green infrastructure, environmental management systems and compliance with sustainable development standards. These factors are gradually replacing traditional advantages, such as low land rental costs and inexpensive labor, as key determinants of investment decisions.

The shift reflects growing environmental requirements in major markets, including the European Union, the United States and other developed economies, where carbon emission reductions, circular economy practices and supply chain transparency have become increasingly important. These new standards from the international market are directly affecting countries' industrial development orientations, including Vietnam's.

For IPs, the measure of competitiveness is therefore also changing. It is not just about industrial land area, the number of projects, or occupancy rates; an IP in the new period must also demonstrate its ability to support businesses in reducing emissions, saving energy, using resources efficiently, and pursuing a sustainable production model.

Regarding the transformation of individual enterprises, the current challenge is the lack of investment capital for green technology and renewable energy. Some businesses have not yet seen the full long-term benefits of model transformation. Besides, some IPs that have been operating for a long time do not meet new technical requirements and need to be reviewed and adjusted. Procedures for eco-IP certification remain complex, requiring review and adjustment of related legal regulations.

Recognizing these challenges, Dong Nai issued a development plan in February 2026 outlining the transition of existing industrial parks into green and eco-industrial parks by 2030, with a vision extending to 2050. The initiative is intended not only to strengthen environmental protection but also to reshape the province's industrial development model toward greater efficiency, digitalization, sustainability and lower carbon emissions. Along with that, new policies and guidelines from the central level will create further momentum for Dong Nai to accelerate its transformation and enhance its competitiveness in attracting new-generation investment.

Pham Viet Phuong, Acting Deputy Head of the Dong Nai Economic and Industrial Zones Authority (DEIZA), believes that green transformation is no longer optional but has become an important condition for IPs to maintain their appeal to high-quality investment capital. The trend of attracting investment in the new period does not stop at the scale of capital or the number of projects but is leaning strongly towards investment quality, technology, resource and energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness.

Strengthening the legal framework

Vietnam began piloting the eco-industrial park model in 2014 with technical support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). A major milestone came with Government Decree No. 35/2022/ND-CP, issued on May 28, 2022, which formally established the legal definition, criteria and roadmap for eco-industrial park development.

Dau Giay Industrial Park has great potential to be converted into an eco-industrial park. Photo: Vuong The

Another significant step was taken on June 8, 2026, when the Politburo issued Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW on the development of the foreign-invested economic sector. The resolution sets a target of approximately 10 percent of the country's industrial parks being certified as eco-industrial parks by 2030, through both the conversion of existing parks and the development of new ones. It also calls for closer integration of industrial infrastructure with logistics, social infrastructure and environmental services to support a more modern industrial ecosystem. According to Pham Viet Phuong, the resolution provides an important legal foundation for addressing regulatory bottlenecks, particularly through revisions to industrial park management regulations and the Law on Environmental Protection.

Le Thi Thanh Thao, UNIDO Country Representative in Vietnam, believes Dong Nai possesses strong advantages for becoming one of the country's leading localities in eco-industrial park development. She noted that the province's strategy extends beyond converting existing industrial parks to embracing a comprehensive approach that integrates circular economy principles, digital transformation, environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, efficient resource use and improved access to green financing. These factors increasingly play an important role in the global industrial transformation process.

Phi Thi Thu Hien, Head of the High-Tech Management Division under DEIZA, said the city has set ambitious targets for the 2026–2030 period. These include ensuring that all industrial park infrastructure developers and enterprises receive training and awareness on eco-industrial park standards; certifying at least two eco-industrial parks; encouraging at least 10 percent of enterprises within industrial parks to adopt resource-efficient and cleaner production practices; and enabling 90 percent of industrial parks to implement energy-saving and energy-efficiency solutions. Dong Nai expects these initiatives to reshape business practices, establish successful pilot models and accelerate the broader transition toward sustainable industrial development.

By Vuong The – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho