Dong Nai’s pursuit of centrally-run city status spreads aspiration to rise

At the second plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee, the Central Committee agreed in principle to the establishment of Dong Nai City as a centrally governed municipality.

To help officials, Party members, and people from all walks of life in the province fully grasp the significance of this landmark event, communication and public awareness efforts play a pivotal role.

An inevitable step

Nguyen Thi Loan, Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee (PPC)'s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization, noted that in order to promptly orient communication activities celebrating this major milestone, the commission has issued detailed guidance on propaganda in celebration of the establishment of Dong Nai City under central administration.

An inter-sectoral appraisal council has reached a consensus that Dong Nai meets the criteria for a tier-1 urban area, creating a basis for submission to the National Assembly of the proposal to establish Dong Nai City under central administration. Photo: Cong Nghia

The establishment of the centrally-run Dong Nai city is seen as an inevitable step to realize Party and State policies while meeting new development demands in the Southern region in the new phase. More than a mere administrative change, it represents a profound transformation in governance model and development vision. With Long Thanh International Airport serving as a key driver, alongside a modern multi-modal transport infrastructure system, Dong Nai is steadily affirming its position as a leading growth pole, ready to rise as a regionally and internationally competitive urban center.

Moreover, this momentous milestone not only reflects the long-standing aspirations of the local Party Committee, authorities, and people, but also creates fresh momentum for Dong Nai to contribute more substantially to national prosperity. Built on a solid socio-economic foundation and thorough preparations, the future Dong Nai City will become symbol of a “civilized, modern and livable” urban area, advancing in tandem with the country in a new era.

Given these profound implications, the PPC’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization has called on Party committees, authorities, agencies, and localities at all levels to intensify communication on Dong Nai’s position, role, potential, and advantages, as well as the necessity of establishing a centrally governed Dong Nai city. The communication campaign also highlights that Dong Nai has met all required criteria, while outlining future development orientations.

Cao Quoc Sang, Deputy Director in charge of Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television (DNNRTV), said that immediately after the policy was announced, the unit formulated a communication plan on the establishment of wards and the formation of Dong Nai City under central administration.

Under the theme “Dong Nai: Aspiration for elevation – becoming a centrally governed city by 2026,” DNNRTV has launched dedicated columns to disseminate resolutions of the Party Central Committee and the PPC on adjusting the Dong Nai provincial master plan for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050. In addition, it has produced in-depth articles on the airport urban model, affirmed the province’s role as a multi-modal connectivity hub, and collected public opinions on the ward establishment plan and the proposal to form centrally-run Dong Nai City. Communication activities have been carried out synchronously across four types of media: radio, television, print, online platforms, and digital channels.

Broad-based communication

Nguyen Anh Tai, Secretary of the Party Committee of Chon Thanh Ward People’s Committee, said that to promptly disseminate information about activities celebrating the establishment of centrally governed Dong Nai City to officials, Party members, civil servants and public employees, the Party Committee of the Ward People’s Committee has called on the Ward People’s Committee and subordinate Party cells to launch emulation movements, promote social welfare initiatives targeting ethnic minority communities, and organize “repaying debts of gratitude” and charity programs for policy beneficiary families and disadvantaged households.

In parallel, local authorities have strengthened efforts to maintain political security and social order, while coordinating with relevant agencies to prevent and handle the spread of false, hostile, or distorted information about the event, thereby safeguarding the Party’s ideological foundation.

For the Provincial Youth Union, it has launched a peak communication campaign in April 2026 across its media platforms to raise awareness and build consensus among youth union members, young people and the public regarding the policy of developing Dong Nai into a centrally governed city.

Communication content focuses on the significance, role, and benefits of this elevation, while strongly promoting the province’s potential, advantages, and strategic position. It also introduces the 10 units expected to be upgraded to wards. To enhance effectiveness, youth union at all levels will adopt diverse formats such as Q&A sessions, interactive mini-games, crossword puzzles, and visual storytelling designed to be accessible and engaging.

Ka Tuyen, a resident of Ta Lai Commune, shared her excitement: “Hearing that the Central Committee has approved the policy to establish Dong Nai City under central administration makes me very happy. This will create opportunities for more sustainable development. I am currently working on a community-based tourism project – Ta Lai Eco Lodge. As a young local citizen, I hope that there will be stronger support policies for ethnic youth in entrepreneurship and innovation, enabling them to prosper while preserving cultural identity.”

According to communication materials from the PPC’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization, the establishment of the centrally-run Dong Nai City is a necessary step to concretize major orientations of the Party and State regarding the development of the national urban system, while aligning with approved strategic planning. It is not only an objective requirement during Dong Nai’s development and rapid urbanization process, but also a key solution to fully leverage local potential and advantages, enhance competitiveness, promote regional connectivity, expand international integration, and strengthen national defense and security capacity in the new context.

Nguyen Van Manh, a resident of Tan Trieu ward, expressed pride in Dong Nai’s long-standing history of 328 years of formation and development. The land of Dong Nai is closely associated with the southward expansion of the nation. In 1698, General Nguyen Huu Canh established Tran Bien administrative unit, laying the foundation for state governance in the Southern region. By 1808, it became Tran Bien Hoa, one of the five major administrative divisions of Gia Dinh. Historical records also highlight Nong Nai Dai Pho as one of the most bustling trading ports in the region during the 17th–18th centuries, forming the basis for a vibrant commercial and urban tradition.

Building on this legacy, Dong Nai is accelerating urbanization with key projects such as Long Thanh International Airport and inter-regional expressways. Elevating Dong Nai to a centrally governed city is therefore seen as a natural progression, commensurate with its historical depth and modern urban stature.

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