Dong Nai helps strengthen Vietnam-Thailand ties (Part 2)

Part 1: Five decades of building comprehensive bilateral ties

Part 2: Building a favorable environment for cooperation

Beyond diplomatic activities, the growing presence of Thai businesses in Dong Nai is a testament to the solidarity, trust and comprehensive, long-standing cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand.

Nguyen Kim Long, Standing Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City People's Committee, presents a souvenir gift to a delegation from Central Retail Vietnam, a leading Thai retail group.

Thailand is currently one of Dong Nai's important investment partners, with 88 investment projects totaling nearly US$1.9 billion in registered capital. Thai investors have been operating in Dong Nai for more than 30 years, with projects spanning industrial park infrastructure and urban development, trade, industry and high-tech agriculture.

A destination for leading Thai corporations

Over nearly four decades of opening up and attracting investment, Dong Nai has established itself as a trusted destination for both domestic and foreign investors. Thailand ranks among the top 10 countries and territories by registered investment capital in the city.

Pham Viet Phuong, Deputy Head in charge of Dong Nai Economic and Industrial Zones Authority (DEIZA), said Thai-invested projects in Dong Nai are concentrated mainly in construction, industrial park infrastructure development, and processing and manufacturing, covering such sectors as chemicals, plastics, mechanical engineering, power, animal feed, livestock farming and food processing. Some businesses have built relatively comprehensive production and supply networks in Vietnam. These projects currently provide jobs for more than 15,600 workers, contributing to industrial production, state budget revenues, supply chain development and stronger economic cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand.

Plastic products are manufactured at TS Molymer Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Several major Thai businesses and groups are operating in Dong Nai, including Amata Group, which has invested in industrial park infrastructure and urban development at Amata Bien Hoa Industrial Park (IP) in Long Binh ward; C.P. Group, which has invested in livestock farming at Bien Hoa 2 IP in Tran Bien ward; Super Energy Corporation PCL, which has invested in solar power projects in Loc Tan commune; and Central Retail, which operates a network of shopping centers and GO! mini supermarkets.

Sudo Osamu, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Amata VN Public Co., Ltd under Amata Group, said Dong Nai was the first locality in Vietnam where the group chose to invest in industrial real estate outside Thailand. From the outset, Amata recognized the area's outstanding potential, with all the key factors needed to attract FDI, from its strategic location to the quality of its workforce. According to Sudo Osamu, Amata's more than three decades of operations in Dong Nai have demonstrated that the investment decision was the right one.

He added that over more than three decades of operations in Dong Nai, Amata had attracted more than 210 companies to Amata IP and Long Thanh Hi-Tech IP, with total investment capital exceeding US$4 billion. The companies include multinational corporations from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Europe and China. Together, they have created more than 60,000 jobs and made significant contributions to the local budget and the city's overall development.

Thailand is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN. In 2025, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Thailand exceeded US$22 billion, up 8.3% year on year and accounting for about 24% of total trade between Vietnam and ASEAN.

Adapting to new policies

In recent years, Dong Nai has accelerated administrative reform and invested in urban, transport and IP infrastructure, thereby improving its investment and business environment. The city leadership has also prioritized attracting investment in high-tech industries, electronics, office equipment manufacturing and computer components, along with supporting industries and deep processing.

In response to increasingly demanding local and international market requirements, Thai businesses have also proactively adapted and innovated their production and business activities.

Amata Group marks 30 years of operations and development in Dong Nai in 2025.

According to Pham Viet Phuong, Deputy Head in charge of the DEIZA, Thai businesses are active members of the city's FDI community. A notable example is C.P. Vietnam Corporation, which operates an integrated Feed-Farm-Food production model covering breeding stock production, animal feed production, livestock farming and food processing. The model enables the company to maintain relatively comprehensive control over the entire chain, from breeding stock and raw materials to livestock farming, processing and product distribution. C.P. Vietnam's operations in Dong Nai not only generate employment and contribute to the processing industry but also help promote the application of technology and develop linkages across the agriculture, livestock and food-processing sectors.

In Vietnam, Central Retail Group currently operates a network of 44 shopping centers and 92 supermarkets in 26 provinces and cities. More than 90% of the products distributed through the group's retail system are made by Vietnamese businesses.

During a recent meeting with Dong Nai leaders, Olivier Bernard R. Langlet, Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Vietnam, said the group wanted to continue expanding its network of shopping centers and supermarkets, contributing to the development of Dong Nai's retail system in the near future.

Thailand is now Vietnam's eighth largest foreign investor and the second largest investor among ASEAN countries. Vietnam currently has more than 800 active Thai-invested projects with total registered capital exceeding US$15.4 billion.

By N. Lien – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha