Decisively unlocking momentum to create new development drivers

Following its remarkable achievements on socio-economic growth in 2025, Dong Nai province enters 2026 with a sense of urgency, a readiness for action, and a strong determination to pursue its new development goals that are both breakthrough-oriented and sustainable.

Party General Secretary To Lam hosts discussions with leaders of the Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV) and Dong Nai Province on accelerating the implementation progress of the Long Thanh International Airport Project. File: photo

Present at the Long Thanh International Airport Project on January 10, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policy and Strategies, Nguyen Duc Hien, shared: “I am truly surprised by the current progress, scale, and level of modernity of the Long Thanh International Airport Project. I still remember that in 2021, when construction began, this area was still a vast rubber plantation interspersed with residential housing, and issues related to land clearance and resettlement posed extremely significant challenges for Dong Nai province.”

Unlocking development momentum

After many years of rapid development and consistently ranking among the nation’s leading localities in terms of budget contributions, Dong Nai’s socio-economic growth rate has slowed in recent years compared to several other provinces and cities across the country. The causes of this slowdown in a province endowed with rich potential and advantages were quickly identified, and decisive solutions were implemented in terms of both policy mechanisms and personnel work. The effectiveness of these solutions is demonstrated by impressive figures, notably a GRDP growth rate of 9.63% in 2025, and provincial budget revenue surpassing the 100 trillion VND for the first time.

In 2025, the Standing Committee of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee submitted proposals to the Central authorities and the Government to remove institutional and policy bottlenecks for a number of projects facing prolonged difficulties, thereby unlocking additional development resources. Notably, during Party General Secretary To Lam’s visit and working session at the Long Thanh International Airport Project on November 13, 2025, Vu Hong Van, Secretary of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and Head of the provincial National Assembly Delegation, proposed that the Central Government allow Dong Nai to apply several special mechanisms to develop a free trade zone associated with Long Thanh International Airport, as well as strategic transport projects connecting Dong Nai with Ho Chi Minh City, including urban railway lines. These proposals put forward by the Provincial Party Secretary were highly appreciated and supported by Party General Secretary To Lam.

With its GRDP growth rate reaching 9.63% in 2025—considered the highest level recorded by the province since 2008—Dong Nai ranked among the seven localities nationwide with the fastest economic growth. At the same time, the province ranked fourth out of 34 provinces and centrally run cities in terms of its contribution to national GDP growth, accounting for 5.49%. These results not only eased growth pressures after several years of stagnation but also generated strong momentum for Dong Nai to set its sights on double-digit growth in 2026 and subsequent years, while reaffirming its position as one of the country’s leading growth engines.

To achieve these significant outcomes in 2025, from the very beginning of the year, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee introduced innovations in leadership and direction that were closely aligned with central orientations. The approach emphasized clarity in personnel, tasks, timelines, results, accountability, and authority. Instead of assigning broadly defined deadlines, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee set specific timelines tied directly to the accountability of each unit, particularly the heads of agencies and localities. Thanks to this resolute leadership and direction, many tasks and assignments that had been delayed for years were thoroughly resolved, thereby unlocking critical development resources.

A clear example of this progress is the land-clearance project for the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway, which passes through Dong Nai province. After multiple delays in handing over the site, the project was ultimately completed by assigning local Party committee heads to work closely with relevant departments and agencies, remain directly on the ground, and coordinate with local authorities to mobilize public support.

Similarly, the land clearance project for Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park, implemented using the same approach, has now completed the recovery of most priority areas and is preparing for land auctions. In addition, in 2025, the province resolved prolonged stagnation in land-use rights auctions, thereby mobilizing additional resources for development investment.

Laying the foundation for double-digit growth

According to Nguyen Kim Long, Member of the Standing Committee of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, in 2025, the entire political system, from the provincial level down to the grassroots, made concerted efforts with the highest sense of responsibility to carry out a dual mission: restructuring and streamlining the organizational apparatus while simultaneously concentrating resources on economic development, alongside the successful organization of Party congresses at all levels. Despite significant pressure, the two-tier local government system quickly stabilized its operations, shifting from a management-oriented mindset to a service-oriented approach. This transition enhanced citizen and business satisfaction, particularly through substantial improvements in the province’s investment and business environment. Through the challenges of 2025, the province’s contingent of cadres and civil servants demonstrated marked maturity, renewed their approach to action, and effectively curbed the tendency to evade or shift responsibility.

Dong Nai exceeds social housing development targets for the first time

In 2025, Dong Nai province was tasked by the Government to complete approximately 4,200 social housing units. The province proactively raised its target, and completed 4,708 units, surpassing the target set by the central authorities by about 500 units. This marked the first year Dong Nai exceeded its social housing development target.

After many years in which economic growth was not closely aligned with synchronized infrastructure development and numerous projects faced delays, Dong Nai’s infrastructure system in 2025 took clearer shape than ever before. This is not merely conventional infrastructure, but high-quality, modern infrastructure with strong connectivity, creating long-term development momentum. A notable example is the Long Thanh International Airport Project, which welcomed its first flights and is expected to commence commercial operations in June 2026. Alongside this are the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway and Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road No. 3, both of which are preparing for operation. In the near future, the Ben Luc–Long Thanh Expressway and Phuoc An bridge, once completed, will further strengthen interregional connectivity for the province.

According to Ho Van Ha, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, with the determination of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, 2025 marked a breakthrough year in strengthening connectivity between Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City. In addition to key bridges such as Nhon Trach, Phuoc An, Phuoc Khanh, and Long Thanh (Branch 2), at the beginning of 2026, Dong Nai province and Ho Chi Minh City jointly commenced construction of two strategic bridges - Cat Lai bridge and Long Hung bridge (Dong Nai Bridge No. 2). These are exceptionally significant projects: Cat Lai bridge has long been a long-standing aspiration, while Long Hung bridge progressed swiftly from concept to construction commencement. Beyond this, leaders of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee have agreed to rapidly implement an urban railway linking the two localities to Dong Nai’s provincial center and Long Thanh International Airport.

Sharing his joy, Nguyen The Phong, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Dai Phuoc Commune, said: “Thanks to the resolute leadership of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Cat Lai Bridge is about to be launched, bringing indescribable joy to local residents. This bridge could serve as a historic catalyst, helping Dai Phuoc truly ‘take off’ and develop into a prosperous and thriving area.”

Expressing her excitement ahead of the construction commencement of the trillion-VND Cat Lai bridge, Huynh Thi Hoa, a resident of Dai Phuoc commune living near the Cat Lai ferry terminal, shared: “I have heard discussions about building the Cat Lai bridge for decades. Now that I see the State preparing for its construction, I am truly delighted. With this bridge, local people will have greater opportunities for development, the gap between rural and urban areas will narrow, and daily life will gradually change for the better.”

By Cong Nghia – Translated by Hong Van, Thu Ha