Govn’t pioneers in taking action to drive development breakthroughs

Entering a new era with renewed momentum, fresh impetus and strong aspirations, the Dong Nai Provincial administration continues to affirm its pioneering role in reform, improving the quality of governance and executive management. United in action and determined in implementation, the collective leadership is striving to effectively realize strategic objectives, core tasks and key plans, with a central focus on achieving “double-digit” economic growth. In doing so, Dong Nai aims to develop into a “green, prosperous, civilized and modern” province, making a breakthrough in the  era of national rise.

Nguyen Kim Long, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television (DNNRTV) respectfully introduce to readers the contents of an interview with Nguyen Kim Long, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee.

Maximizing new growth drivers

The Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee has proactively formulated strategic solutions to promote double-digit economic growth in 2026. Could you elaborate on the new growth drivers identified by the province to play a synergistic role in accelerating growth in 2026 and throughout the 2025–2030 period?

-Based on a thorough grasp of the Resolution of the first Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term, as well as central directives on achieving “double-digit” growth, Dong Nai has clearly identified new key and synergistic growth drivers to lay the foundation for rapid and sustainable growth in 2026 and the 2026–2030 period.

First and foremost, among the province’s major development drivers in the coming time, Long Thanh Airport holds a particularly important position. Not only serving as a catalyst for urban formation, Long Thanh Airport will also be a core factor in the establishment of a provincial free trade zone (FTZ).

When Long Thanh International Airport – Phase 1 is officially put into operation in 2026, the province will focus on developing the airport urban space with meticulous land-use planning to ensure maximum efficiency, coupled with the formation of value-added service chains such as aviation logistics, distribution centers, free trade, finance–banking, conferences, hotels and smart urban areas. This will become a new growth pole, marking a significant transformation in Dong Nai’s development model and enabling deeper integration into international supply chains and logistics networks.

Meanwhile, the nearly 7,500-hectare free trade zone is expected to become a hub for international logistics, distribution and aviation-related commercial and financial services. This will serve as a key driver for high-tech and supporting industries, while strengthening Dong Nai’s role in global supply chains. It is estimated that once operational, the FTZ will contribute approximately 8–10.5% of the province’s GRDP, attract foreign investment and enhance labor productivity not only within the zone but also across local production and business sectors. By 2030, the FTZ is projected to attract around 150,000 high-quality workers and train 50,000 engineers and technology specialists for key industries, while making substantial contributions to the provincial state budget.

Second, the province has identified the Dong Nai River urban development corridor, associated with the riverside boulevard and the Long Thanh Airport urban area, as a major growth pole in the Southern part of the province. This corridor will expand urban–industrial–service development space and strengthen regional connectivity, particularly with Ho Chi Minh City.

Third, the concentrated digital technology park, innovation zone and education urban area spanning thousands of hectares within the airport urban area are defined as new growth drivers through digital economic development. These areas will pilot new economic models such as low-altitude economy, aviation economy and semiconductor industry, and will form a University City model within the airport urban area. This is expected to attract intellectuals and talents to converge in Dong Nai, contributing to the province’s development in the new period.

In addition to new spatial development drivers, Dong Nai will continue to leverage high-tech industries, modern logistics and a synchronized transport infrastructure system. With advantages in possessing all five modes of transport and 10 expressways passing through the province, along with key national projects under implementation, Dong Nai is well positioned to form industrial–urban growth poles along strategic transport axes, thereby enhancing competitiveness and investment attractiveness.

Nguyen Kim Long, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, inspects site clearance work for the Gia Nghia-Chon Thanh Expressway Project. Photo: Minh Quan

Creating substantive differences in investment environment

The Provincial People’s Committee leadership has paid special attention to improving the investment environment to enhance Dong Nai’s attractiveness to major global enterprises and corporations. In your view, what breakthrough solutions and new approaches should the provincial administration prioritize in the coming time?

-Based on the implementation results of Government Resolution No. 02/NQ-CP dated January 8, 2025 on key tasks and solutions to improve the business environment and enhance national competitiveness in 2025, Dong Nai’s investment and business environment has seen positive changes. This is reflected in its GRDP growth of 9.63%, foreign direct investment exceeding USD 3.3 billion, and notable improvements in administrative reform, digital transformation and competitiveness indices. However, amid increasingly fierce competition for investment attraction, the requirement is not merely to “improve,” but to move deeper, go ahead of others and create substantive differences.

In the coming time, under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People’s Committee will focus on three breakthrough solution groups with a new approach:

First, creating breakthroughs in institutions and enforcement by shifting from “correct procedures” to “meeting business objectives.” Unlike the previous phase, which mainly focused on completing legal documents, Dong Nai now emphasizes the quality of implementation at every stage and by every official. The province will continue reviewing and removing legal bottlenecks related to investment, land, construction and environment; resolutely cut unnecessary business conditions; and establish mechanisms to protect officials who dare to think, act and take responsibility when handling business dossiers. This is considered a key factor in building trust among large investors, particularly multinational corporations.

Second, accelerating the development and utilization of a data ecosystem for investment and business activities in association with the two-tier local government model. Administrative procedures must not only be digitized but also operated on shared data platforms beyond administrative boundaries, enabling enterprises to access planning, land, public assets and investment procedures transparently and in real time. At the same time, the province will gradually apply data analytics and risk assessment technologies to reduce overlapping inspections, shifting toward smart post-inspection.

Third, transitioning from “attracting projects” to “accompanying the development of an investment ecosystem.” Rather than competing solely through incentives, Dong Nai will selectively attract high-tech, innovation-driven, logistics and green industry projects linked to global value chains. Simultaneously, the province will focus on completing strategic infrastructure, developing high-quality human resources, expanding social housing for workers and improving enterprise support services to ensure that investors can “arrive and implement immediately, stay and develop sustainably.”

In implementing Government Resolution No. 02/NQ-CP dated January 8, 2026 on key tasks and solutions to improve the business environment and enhance national competitiveness in 2026, Dong Nai’s breakthrough approach will be to combine institutional reform, digital transformation and enhanced enforcement quality under the spirit of “commitment must lead to action, and action must deliver results.” The ultimate goal is not merely to improve index rankings but to build a truly open, transparent, stable and reliable investment environment capable of attracting major domestic and international corporations to choose Dong Nai as a long-term destination.

“Solidarity – Discipline – Innovation – Determination – Effectiveness”

Given the enormous workload ahead, requiring continuous innovation, dynamism and decisive action, what will be the guiding motto of Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee in 2026?

-The year 2026 marks the first year of implementing the Resolution of the First Provincial Party Congress and the 2026–2030 five-year socio-economic development plan, while also witnessing the stable operation of the two-tier local government model following organizational restructuring.

In line with the action motto adopted by the First Provincial Party Congress, the Provincial People’s Committee continues to define the action motto for 2026 and the 2026–2030 period as: “Solidarity – Discipline – Innovation – Determination – Effectiveness.”

Accordingly, the province will promote unity and consensus throughout the political system; tighten administrative discipline; foster innovation and the spirit of daring to think, act and take responsibility; implement tasks with high determination and focused, decisive action; and use tangible effectiveness as the yardstick for evaluating governance performance. This motto will serve as the foundation for directing all levels and sectors to synchronously implement tasks and solutions, striving to achieve the highest possible socio-economic development targets in 2026 and create a solid momentum for sustained “double-digit” growth in the subsequent period.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Horse, as the entire Party organization, administration and people of Dong Nai spread the spirit of renewal following the success of the 14th National Party Congress and step into a new era of national rise, what message would you like to convey to officials, Party members, residents and the business community?

-At the beginning of the Lunar New Year of the Horse, in an atmosphere of joy and confidence following the success of the 14th National Party Congress and the First Provincial Party Congress, on behalf of the provincial leadership, I would like to extend my best wishes for health, happiness and success to all officials, Party members, armed forces personnel, enterprises, investors and residents across the province.

The provincial leadership hopes that officials and Party members at all levels will continue to uphold responsibility, exemplary conduct, discipline and dedication, while renewing thinking and working methods, and accompanying citizens and enterprises in implementing socio-economic development tasks. For the business community and investors, Dong Nai is committed to further improving the investment and business environment, standing alongside enterprises, sharing difficulties and creating the most favorable conditions for sustainable production and business operations in the province.

With its tradition of solidarity, dynamism, creativity and strong aspiration to rise, it is firmly believed that the Party organization, administration and people of Dong Nai will continue to unite and join hands, effectively seize opportunities, overcome challenges and successfully realize the set development goals, contributing together with the whole country to confidently advance into a new era of development and build Dong Nai into an increasingly green, prosperous, civilized and modern province.

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