Dong Nai expected to soon become Vietnam’s seventh centrally run city

If the National Assembly (NA) considers and approves the establishment of Dong Nai as a centrally governed city during the second phase of the first session of the 16th NA, the province will become the seventh city under Central governance in the country.

This milestone is expected to create new momentum for Dong Nai’s development and contribute to the Southern region and the country as a whole. Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television continues to gather opinions from residents, businesses and experts on this issue.

The Aqua City project developed by Novaland Group, covering more than 1,000 hectares in Long Hung ward, Dong Nai province. Photo: Hoang Loc

Tu Kinh Nghieu, General Director of TaYa Vietnam Electric Wire and Cable JSC (TaYa Group) in Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Park (IP):

FDI enterprises hope for more  supportive mechanisms

He expressed his delight at the prospect of Dong Nai becoming a centrally governed city, noting that this transition would open up new opportunities for the province. In particular, recent information about the planning of additional industrial parks and clusters indicates that Dong Nai still has abundant land resources for industrial development.

Having chosen Dong Nai as an investment destination more than 30 years ago, TaYa Group has received significant support throughout its operations. However, Nghieu pointed out that updates on new regulations and policies have not always been timely. He therefore expressed hope that provincial authorities would direct relevant agencies to enhance communication and guidance so that enterprises, especially FDI firms, can promptly grasp and comply with new policies, thereby ensuring smooth and lawful business operations.

Wu Ming Ying, General Director of Sheng Bang Metal Co., Ltd. (Song May IP):

Investment environment in Dong Nai becomes more attractive

Sharing a similar view, Wu Ming Ying said his company has invested in Dong Nai for many years and welcomed the province’s potential elevation. He expressed hope that the Government would pay greater attention to and provide more support for FDI enterprises.

Looking ahead, he expected Dong Nai to further upgrade transport infrastructure and public service facilities. In parallel, appropriate policies should be introduced to support socio-economic development across the province. He also acknowledged the consistent support from local authorities, which has enabled enterprises to operate effectively and maintain long-term commitments in Dong Nai.

Moreover, he emphasized the need to further improve the investment environment, attract higher-quality FDI and draw more high-tech industries to the province. He affirmed his willingness to contribute to Dong Nai’s continued development.

Lin Hung Po, General Director of Vnines Innovation JSC (Giang Dien IP):

Need for stronger financial support policies

Vnines highly appreciates the support provided by Dong Nai in recent years and expects that the elevation of Dong Nai to centrally governed city status will accelerate its development. To further promote high-tech FDI enterprises, Lin Hung Po called for more supportive policies, particularly in terms of finance.

He also suggested that authorities consider support measures such as vocational training assistance or tax refunds for enterprises investing in training high-tech technicians, given the substantial costs associated with workforce development in Industry 4.0 factories. In addition, tax incentives on corporate income and imported components would help the FDI enterprises reduce production costs and enhance their competitiveness in international markets.

Furthermore, he proposed the establishment or expansion of preferential loan funds for projects that link FDI enterprises with local suppliers, thereby fostering supply chains within Dong Nai.

Bach Dinh Thuyen, war veteran in Tan Phu 4 Hamlet, Tan Phu commune:

Double joy for local residents

Local residents are particularly pleased at the prospect of Tan Phu commune being upgraded to a ward alongside Dong Nai’s elevation to a centrally governed city.

According to Thuyen, this has long been a shared aspiration of local community. He believes Dong Nai fully deserves this status, while Tan Phu itself has undergone significant changes and is well-positioned to become an urban area of Dong Nai.

The locality is home to industrial parks and tourist sites, with a dense and concentrated population. Following the merger, the commune has a substantial room for development, supported by fertile land suitable for a wide range of high-value crops such as durian, pepper, jackfruit and citrus fruits.

In recent years, infrastructure in Tan Phu has been substantially invested in, turning it into a regional hub. He expressed hope that the future upgrades will be followed by further synchronized and modern infrastructure investment in Tan Phu, especially the expansion of industrial zones to attract investors, create jobs and improve incomes for local people.

Dang Hong Truong, resident of Tra Co 11 Hamlet, Tan Phu commune:

A major transformation ahead

Truong shared the excitement of many residents upon hearing that Tan Phu commune may be upgraded and Dong Nai elevated to centrally governed city status.

He believes these changes will mark a significant turning point, with infrastructure expected to be developed in a more modern and synchronized manner, in line with an urban landscape. This would create opportunities for stronger local development and improved living standards. For farmers, he added, the transition could help expand market access for agricultural products, contributing to more stable and sustainable incomes.

Tran Thanh Nghi, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Division of Trang Bom commune:

Toward raising comprehensive education standards

Nghi noted that upgrading communes to wards would provide strong impetus to enhance education quality in the area.

Currently, 14 out of 17 schools in the commune meet national standards. Building on this, the locality has set a target of achieving 100% of schools meeting national standards by 2030. However, in the context of Dong Nai’s anticipated elevation and the commune’s potential upgrade, this roadmap needs to be shortened through more decisive measures.

Authorities are reviewing key criteria, including teaching staff, class size, land resources and facilities, in order to formulate appropriate investment plans that meet ward-level standards. The primary focus remains on improving teaching and learning quality.

At the same time, the locality is promoting the balanced development of both public and private education systems to provide more options for residents and enhance the overall quality of human resources.

Once the commune is upgraded to ward status, it will need to meet higher education standards, which go beyond basic benchmarks and move closer to modern, integrated criteria.  While this presents challenges, it also offers an opportunity for the education sector to make breakthroughs and better meet the growing demands of urban residents.

By P.V – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha