Dong Nai strengthens cooperation with Vila Nova de Gaia city of Portugal

On September 10, Member of the Provincial Standing Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Le Truong Son received a working delegation from Vila Nova de Gaia city (Portugal) led by Dr. Jose Guilherme Aguiar, City Councilor for Tourism and Sports and Deputy Mayor. The meeting took place in the context of the two sides recently signing an important memorandum of understanding on cooperation.

Leaders of the Dong Nai People’s Committee and Vila Nova de Gaia city (Portugal) exchange strengths of the two localities. Photo: Hoang Loc

At the reception, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Le Truong Son expressed his delight in welcoming the delegation to Dong Nai. According to provincial leader, on July 1, 1975, Vietnam and Portugal officially established diplomatic relations. Over the past 50 years, the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries have been continuously nurtured, consolidated, and expanded. Vietnam always attaches importance to comprehensive partnership with the European Union (EU) and its member states, including Portugal.

July 1, 2025, also marked an important milestone for Dong Nai when the former Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc provinces merged into the new Dong Nai province, with an area of about 12,700 km² and a population of nearly 4.5 million. With its new administrative boundaries within the Southern Key Economic Region, home to the Hoa Lu International Border Gate, nearly 260 km of border with Cambodia, and the soon-to-be-operational Long Thanh International Airport, Dong Nai is expected to further affirm its role as a driving force in the national economy.

In recent years, industry has been the breakthrough spearhead that has enabled the province’s economy to maintain high and stable growth, averaging 8% annually. Dong Nai has established 57 industrial zones with a total area of nearly 21,600 hectares and currently hosts more than 2,200 valid FDI projects with total capital of nearly US$42 billion. The province’s consistent approach is to accompany businesses, create a favorable investment environment, and pursue sustainable and long-term development, including for Portuguese investors.

Besides its industrial strength, Dong Nai is also a major region for perennial crops such as pepper, cashew, coffee, and rubber, along with many types of fruit. This provides a foundation for the province to promote agricultural processing, expand exports, and boost international trade cooperation.

The province also boasts tourism strengths: mountains, rivers, and lakes; cultural and historical landmarks; and distinctive local cultural identity.

Member of the Provincial Standing Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Le Truong Son presents a gift to the working delegation of Vila Nova de Gaia city (Portugal). Photo: Hoang Loc

Regarding cooperative relations, since 1995 Dong Nai has signed 27 memoranda of understanding and provincial-level international cooperation agreements that remain effective. Notably, on May 12, 2025, in Vila Nova de Gaia city, Dong Nai People’s Committee signed a memorandum of cooperation with the city government in the fields of cultural exchange, tourism promotion, economic-trade exchange, urban renewal, and heritage conservation. This represents a promising start in the relationship between the two localities, contributing to strengthening Vietnam–Portugal friendship.

Leaders of Vila Nova de Gaia city (Portugal) present a gift to Dong Nai province on the occasion of the working visit. Photo: Hoang Loc

Provincial leaders expressed hope that this visit would open up many new cooperation opportunities based on the signed memoranda of understanding, especially in areas where Dong Nai has strong advantages such as economy, culture, tourism, and heritage conservation.

Leaders of the Dong Nai People’s Committee and the working delegation of Vila Nova de Gaia city (Portugal) take a photo during the working visit. Photo: Hoang Loc

Dr. Jose Guilherme Aguiar shared information about the strengths of Vila Nova de Gaia city. Located on the south bank of the Douro River in northern Portugal, the city is famous for its Porto wine cellars. It is currently one of the country’s top destinations for tourism, culture, and gastronomy. Dr. Jose Guilherme Aguiar expressed his wish that the two localities will establish a deep and long-term partnership in many fields in the coming time, particularly in tourism once Dong Nai’s international airport becomes operational.

By: Hoang Loc

Translated by: M.Nguyet-Thu Ha