Building a livable Dong Nai City

On April 16, 2026, the Ministry of Construction officially recognized Dong Nai as meeting the criteria for a Class I urban area. Having met all seven criteria, Dong Nai officially qualified for city status and became a city on April 30, 2026, with an area of more than 12,700 square kilometers and a population of approximately five million.

The milestone marks a historic turning point, opening up a golden opportunity for Dong Nai to restructure its urban space toward a greener, cleaner and more sustainable model while significantly improving residents' quality of life.

Creating momentum to develop a modern urban network

The upgrade to Class I urban status and Dong Nai's emergence as one of Vietnam's seven cities bring substantial advantages to the locality. Most importantly, the city will enjoy greater autonomy in urban planning and investment. It will have broader authority to formulate and adjust its master plans while attracting larger infrastructure investment from the central government and strategic investors.

Located at the gateway to the Southeast region and bordering Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai is home to Long Thanh International Airport, one of Vietnam's most important national infrastructure projects. The upgrade is expected to drive the formation of a modern urban network closely integrated with the Southern Key Economic Region.

The new master plan prioritizes the development of green corridors along the Dong Nai River and eco-friendly riverside urban areas. Photo: Cong Nghia

The city's greatest opportunity lies in developing it into a green and ecological city. Dong Nai retains abundant natural assets, including an extensive river system (Dong Nai, Be and La Nga rivers) along with Tri An Lake, Cat Tien National Park, Chua Chan Mountain and Nui Le Lake.

Newly established wards such as Binh Loc, Hang Gon, Dau Giay, Tan Phu, Tan Trieu, Tri An, Loc Ninh and Tan Khai all could evolve into ecological urban areas within a broader eco-city. These natural advantages provide a valuable foundation for developing a city that exists in harmony with nature, rather than allowing nature to be consumed by urbanization.

Under the new master plan, Dong Nai will also prioritize the development of green corridors along the Dong Nai River while creating riverside, lakeside and forest-edge urban areas based on ecological principles, integrated with high-end resort tourism. Eco-industrial parks, such as the Amata Industrial Park model, should also be replicated through the wider adoption of clean technologies and low-carbon production.

To turn these opportunities into reality, urban planning must adopt a long-term and scientifically grounded approach that places residents at its center while making environmental protection a top priority. Broad participation from local communities, experts and international organizations will also be essential throughout the planning process.

The development of the new Dong Nai City should also involve reorganizing urban areas that previously belonged to former Bien Hoa City to address a number of long-standing issues. These include overcrowding and insufficient urban planning, resulting in pollution, flooding and chronic traffic congestion; the concentration of labor-intensive and polluting factories; low quality of life for local residents due to the above-mentioned limitations,  declining urban aesthetics, particularly a shortage of green spaces. Consequently, alongside new urban development, upgrading and revitalizing existing neighborhoods will be equally important to ensure balanced and integrated urban growth.

Toward a greener, more livable city

To achieve the vision of an environmentally friendly city, Dong Nai should implement several integrated solutions.

First, the city should significantly increase green areas and public open spaces. By 2030, urban areas, excluding rural and mountainous areas, are expected to provide at least 10 to 15 square meters of green space per capita through the development of major urban parks, community ecological gardens and interconnected green corridors. Public transportation should also be expanded under the transit-oriented development (TOD) model to reduce private vehicle use, ease traffic congestion and improve air quality while strengthening connectivity among major urban centers such as Bien Hoa, Long Thanh, Tan Phu and Dong Xoai.

Second, environmental management and climate change adaptation must be strengthened. Dong Nai should adopt smart technologies for wastewater and solid waste treatment while implementing real-time air quality monitoring. Investments are also needed in flood-control drainage systems and the protection of upstream forests and biodiversity. Existing forest areas in Vinh Cuu, Thanh Son, Nam Cat Tien and Loc Ninh should be preserved as the city's "green lungs" and as vital ecological assets for the Southeast region. Environmental planning should incorporate a long-term vision spanning the next 50 to 100 years, taking future climate change scenarios into account.

The elevation of Dong Nai to a city and Class I urban area represents far more than an administrative adjustment. It marks a strategic turning point in building a modern, civilized, ecological and highly livable city. If the city fully capitalizes on this opportunity through a green and sustainable development vision, Dong Nai has the potential to become one of the leading urban centers in the Southeast region and make an important contribution to Vietnam's overall development. This is the moment for Dong Nai to continue writing its development story, one that balances people and nature while delivering a better quality of life for its five million residents.

Third, the city should accelerate the development of a green economy and smart urban systems. This will require transitioning from traditional industries to high-tech manufacturing, green logistics and eco-tourism services. Dong Nai should also unlock the potential of its 51 eco-tourism destinations within the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, including 37 eco-tourism routes around Tri An Lake and the D War Zone, integrated with the development of ecological urban areas in suitable locations. Meanwhile, greater investment should be directed toward renewable energy, particularly solar and biomass power, as well as digital infrastructure to support the development of a smart city.

The greatest benefit of this development strategy will be an improved quality of life for residents. Green cities provide cleaner air and greater access to recreational, sports and cultural spaces while offering a safer and more convenient living environment supported by modern healthcare, education and public services. As sustainable economic growth creates more high-quality jobs and higher incomes, it will also help reduce inequality and foster stronger, more cohesive communities. Beyond benefiting Dong Nai itself, the city's eco-urban development will contribute to broader ecological urbanization and socio-economic growth across the Southeast region and Vietnam as a whole.

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