Patriotic emulation: A driving force for a new era

The 2020–2025 period carried exceptional significance for Vietnam, as the nation implemented Party Congress resolutions at all levels while confronting the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Against this backdrop, the spirit of patriotic emulation was reignited across Dong Nai Province, serving as a powerful source of inspiration for officials, Party members, and citizens alike to persevere in overcoming hardship. This collective resolve enabled the province to stay firmly on its course of development, ushering in a new era of creativity and global integration.

SPEADING THE SPIRIT OF PATRIOTIC EMULATION

During the 2020–2025 period, Dong Nai Province implemented patriotic emulation movements in a comprehensive and synchronized manner across all four stages: identifying, nurturing, summarizing, and replicating exemplary models. These emulation movements were closely linked to the study and practice of President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and lifestyle, creating a powerful source of unity that galvanized the entire political system in pursuit of sustainable development goals.

The spirit of patriotic emulation has emerged as a dynamic driving force, inspiring every citizen of Dong Nai to contribute to building a more prosperous, resilient, and forward-looking homeland. In the photo: Workers at Fortune Technology Co., Ltd., Dong Xoai III Industrial Park, during production. Photo: Tien Dung.

Among the province’s many initiatives, the movement titled “The whole nation join effort to build new-style rural areas” has stood out as a remarkable achievement. For many consecutive years, Dong Nai has remained among the country’s leading provinces in this movement, with 67 out of 72 communes meeting new-style rural standards, 25 communes achieving advanced new-style rural criteria, and 8 designated as model new-style rural areas.

Through the emulation drive titled “Eradicating temporary and dilapidated housing”, Dong Nai Province mobilized the collective strength of the entire political system and people from all walks of life, channeling resources to carry out the movement. As a result, the province built or repaired more than 3,600 houses, fulfilling 114.5% of its plan, and completing the work ahead of the timeline set by the Government. Dong Nai also provided financial support of VND 111 billion to Son La province, VND 38 billion to Dak Lak, and VND 10 billion to Cao Bang and Yen Bai (now Lao Cai) to help eliminate substandard housing in these provinces. A lot of families in difficult circumstances have found stability and hope in their new, secure homes, an enduring testament to the compassionate and people-centered leadership of the Party and local authorities.

Nguyen Tan Phu, Vice Chairman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai Province, emphasized: “Recognizing that each home built is more than building a roof over one’s head, it is laying a foundation for development to ensure that no one is left behind, the Fatherland Front at all levels has transformed the spirit of patriotic emulation into tangible, effective action, contributing to the province’s overall development.”

Over the past five years, countless initiatives have turned patriotic emulation into a true engine of development. The results are evident: between 2021 and 2025, Dong Nai’s economy grew at an average annual rate of 7,11%, with GRDP per capita reaching VND 153,7 million and total budget revenue surpassing VND 378 trillion. Strategic infrastructure projects have advanced rapidly, including the Long Thanh International Airport and major expressways and ring roads linking Ho Chi Minh City with the Southeast, Central Highlands, and Mekong Delta regions. With an export turnover exceeding USD 168 billion over five years, Dong Nai continues to stand among Vietnam’s leading provinces in national budget contribution and economic performance.

Alongside its robust economic development, Dong Nai has made significant strides in culture, healthcare, education, and social welfare. A range of innovative models and creative practices in learning, production, and labor have been successfully replicated across the province. Notably, the movements “Nationwide Emulation for Innovation and Digital Transformation” and “Digital Literacy for All” have gained strong momentum, with clear and measurable goals such as: achieving 70% of provincial administrative procedures processed entirely online; the digital economy accounting for 20% of GRDP; and a 15% annual growth of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). In terms of the digital society, each citizen will be issued a unique digital identification. These efforts reflect the province’s firm commitment to implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW (December 22, 2024) of the Politburo, which outlines breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

PATRIOTIC EMULATION - THE LIFEBLOOD OF PROGRESS

Building on the achievements made over the past five years and effectively implementing the Resolution of the first Dong Nai Provincial Party Congress, for the 2025-2030 term, the Provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee have launched a patriotic emulation movement for this period, setting forth ambitious development targets: By 2030, Dong Nai aspires to become a modern, high-performing development hub, achieving double-digit economic growth and leading in aviation, high-tech industry, science, innovation, and digital transformation. The province’s key goals include: Maintaining average annual GRDP growth of at least 10%; Raising GRDP per capita to over VND 250 million; Expanding the digital economy to account for more than 30% of GRDP; Reducing the poverty rate by 1-1.5% each year; Ensuring 80% of public schools meet national standards; Increasing the proportion of trained workers with qualifications or certifications to over 40%, and achieving 13-15 doctors and 32 hospital beds per 10,000 residents.

The commendation of exemplary individuals and collectives in patriotic emulation movements has consistently been carried out by Dong Nai’s departments, sectors, communes, and wards. In the photo: Le Truong Son, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee, poses for a commemorative photo with outstanding individuals honored at the Binh Phuoc Ward Patriotic Emulation Congress, 2025-2030 period. Photo: Thanh Nga.

Alongside its economic and cultural advancements, Dong Nai has consistently regarded the preservation of national defense, security, and social order as a cornerstone of sustainable development. The province continues to strengthen its all-people national defense posture associated with the people’s security posture, consolidating a firm defense zone, safeguarding border sovereignty, and ensuring peace and stability for its residents.

With the theme of the congress: “Solidarity, creativity, and emulation in building a green, civilized, and modern Dong Nai, entering a new era together with the whole nation,” the Party organization, government, and people of Dong Nai are united in their determination to elevate the patriotic emulation movement, from from small everyday actions to major ongoing projects.

The spirit of patriotic emulation is embodied in the daily actions of every official, civil servant, public employee, and citizen across the province. In the photo: Citizens have their administrative procedures completed at the Dong Xoai Public Administrative Service Center. Photo: Thanh Nga.

Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, and Chairman of the Provincial Emulation and Commendation Council, underscored: “It is essential to promptly identify, nurture, commend, and replicate exemplary models, along with the concrete implementation of patriotic emulation movements. Especially, there’s a need to particularly value new initiatives and effective practices, as they represent the outstanding examples that embody and spread the spirit of patriotic emulation, contributing to Dong Nai’s continued progress”

During the 2020-2025 period, the province launched 28 patriotic emulation movements, each implemented comprehensively and in alignment with political, economic, social, and security-defense objectives. The true achievement of these movements lies in their unifying strength - a powerful source of motivation that inspires all levels of government, businesses, and citizens to overcome challenges together.. This shared determination has become a driving force behind Dong Nai’s rapid and sustainable growth, reinforcing its position as one of Vietnam’s leading industrial and service centers while laying a solid foundation for the province’s next phase of development.

Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, and Chairman of the Provincial Emulation and Commendation Council

Patriotic emulation is not merely a slogan, it is concrete, practical actions embodied in every sector, locality, and individual. Through diligence and creativity, each citizen becomes a soldier on the front line of emulation. Together, we sustain this vital current, uniting in effort and dedication for the collective good and for our homeland.

When this shared spirit of patriotic emulation converges, it becomes a powerful driving force that unites everyone toward the goal of propelling Dong Nai into a modern, competitive, and innovative development hub, advancing in step with the nation into a new era of national development.

A corner of Dong Nai province viewed from above. Photo by Dang Hung

A corner of Nguyen Ai Quoc Street viewed from above. Photo by Tien Dung

By Thanh Nga – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha