Building Dong Nai into a gateway city for Long Thanh Airport

Having become a city, Dong Nai has major opportunities to accelerate its development. Planning the Dong Nai River as a strategic spatial axis is seen as a breakthrough that could help the city attract investment, attract foreign experts to live and work, and develop a modern riverside urban area serving as a gateway to Long Thanh International Airport.

In recent decades, rapid industrial development has placed increasing pressure on Dong Nai's urban landscape. Recognizing this challenge, the city's new planning strategy places the Dong Nai River at the heart of its development structure, serving as its "backbone." Riverside areas will be prioritized for investment in green parks, community spaces, and landmark architectural projects. Meanwhile, riverside land will be reorganized to attract high-value-added projects in services, commerce, tourism, and finance.

The strategy to develop a riverside urban area along the Dong Nai River takes on even greater significance when considered alongside the Long Thanh International Airport project. The combination of an international aviation hub and an eco-friendly riverside city could give Dong Nai a distinctive competitive edge.

Once Long Thanh International Airport becomes operational, Dong Nai is expected to welcome millions of international visitors, investors, engineers, and foreign experts each year for business, work, travel, residence, and research. These visitors and professionals will seek not only employment and investment opportunities but also a high-quality living environment with green spaces, clean air, modern infrastructure, and international-standard services.

To meet these needs, a well-planned riverside urban area featuring eco-friendly complexes, hospitals, international schools, and high-end shopping centers could help attract and retain foreign experts for long-term residence and employment.

However, turning the planning vision into reality and achieving a genuine transformation will require riverside urban development to go hand in hand with environmental protection. Priority should be given to mobilizing resources to complete the main riverside road, creating a large-scale transport and landscape corridor. Meanwhile, the city should develop marinas and tourist ports and establish waterway routes connecting Dong Nai with Ho Chi Minh City, thereby easing pressure on road transport and improving the tourism experience.

Making the Dong Nai River a strategic development axis is a timely and strategic step in the city's development. Once riverside projects are completed and Long Thanh International Airport is fully operational, Dong Nai could emerge as a modern, livable hub for urban development, services, and aviation, as well as an attractive investment destination in the southern region.

By M.Luan – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho