Synchronizing transport infrastructure for co-development

Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai Province are among the country's leading localities in socio-economic development, and they are located adjacent to each other. As a result, they have long maintained a close, reciprocal relationship in economic, cultural, social development, and urbanization. In particular, strengthening coordination in developing transport infrastructure and regional connectivity to expand development space for both localities has become even more significant following the provincial merger.

Dong Nai has long been regarded as a gateway for Ho Chi Minh City to connect with provinces and cities in the North, Central, and Central Highlands regions via road and rail networks. Infrastructure projects such as the new Dong Nai Bridge, Phuoc Khanh Bridge, the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway, and the Dau Giay – Phan Thiet Expressway, once operational, will not only shorten travel times and ease traffic congestion but also open up opportunities for the development of industrial parks, commercial services, and suburban real estate. These projects also serve as clear evidence of coordinated planning efforts to unlock resources for the development of both localities.

However, a long-standing issue is that coordination between two localities in investment and infrastructure utilization still faces bottlenecks. Several regional connectivity projects, such as Cat Lai Bridge, the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh light rail, and Ho Chi Minh City’s ring roads, remain behind schedule. This challenge hinders the full activation of regional mechanisms and poses the risk of wasting resources meant for the development of each locality and the Southeast region as a whole.

Dong Nai Province is currently regarded as a "major construction site," with numerous national-scale transport infrastructure projects underway, including the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway, Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway, Ring Road 3 – Ho Chi Minh City, and Ring Road 4 – Ho Chi Minh City. These projects are not only locally significant but also serve as a driving force in completing the national transport network, opening up new development space for the entire Southern key economic region.

In particular, the mega project of Long Thanh International Airport has made the need for stronger connectivity between Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City increasingly urgent. Once the airport becomes operational, the sharp rise in cargo, passenger, and service volumes will demand a fully integrated inter-regional transport network, including expressways, ring roads, and urban railways. The two localities must jointly undertake the coordinated planning and development of this infrastructure system in a spirit of cooperation, partnership, and shared benefit, as it holds strategic significance.

It is encouraging that in recent times, leaders of the two localities have held multiple direct working sessions to discuss cooperation on infrastructure, logistics, urban area development along the Dong Nai River, and connectivity with Long Thanh Airport. These discussions lay the foundation for building a connected, modern, and prosperous development space, contributing to the shared aspiration of transforming not only the two localities but the entire Southeast region into a growth engine for the nation.

As Comrade Vu Hong Van, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Dong Nai Provincial Delegation of National Assembly Deputies, stated at the conference between the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and the Standing Committee of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee on the afternoon of October 21, convened to discuss transport infrastructure connectivity between the two localities: Dong Nai Province recognizes that if connectivity is not synchronized, opportunities will be lost; if delayed, it will fall behind. Dong Nai hopes to work with Ho Chi Minh City on establishing a clear roadmap to synchronize transport infrastructure and identify a dedicated long-term connecting route to support joint development.

By Pham Mai – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho