Breakthroughs in digital transformation and science - technology

Dong Nai is entering a new development phase with a clear strategic vision: taking science - technology (ST), innovation and digital transformation (DT) as key drivers for rapid, sustainable growth. Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthrough development of national ST, innovation and DT, has opened up a strategic development axis.

Comrade Huynh Thi Hang (far left), Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai province, and Comrade Le Truong Son (front row, second from left), Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, along with delegates, visit the exhibition area of digital technology products at the Techfest Dong Nai 2025 event.

Dong Nai has engaged early, marking clear results, affirming the province's determination to make ST, innovation, and DT become its key drivers, paving the way for its journey toward the digital future.

Breakthroughs in digital infrastructure and governance

Dong Nai province always identifies reform and innovation as the "keys" to its development. Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo is not only a major orientation but also a central, long-term political task. Initial implementation results show that, out of 45 ST development targets by 2030, Dong Nai has achieved and exceeded 4 targets, accounting for nearly 9%; 39 out of 84 key tasks with deadlines set in 2025 have been completed, reaching over 46%. Notably, the province has initially accessed and deployed strategic technologies such as: 5G network, cybersecurity, robots, and advanced processing technology in agriculture - forestry - fisheries.

Dong Nai's Provincial Innovation Index (PII) ranks 12th out of 34 provinces and cities nationwide, showing its clear improvement in innovation capacity. The province aims to ensure that digital infrastructure development must go one step ahead, laying the foundation for digital government, digital economy, and digital society. In particular, it focuses on developing telecommunications infrastructure, information technology, and data center infrastructure to meet the requirements for connecting, using, and sharing data for the government and people, making digital government operate entirely based on data and technology. 100% of communes and wards have broadband fiber optic cables; more than 7,200 base transceiver stations (BTS) stations have been installed, including 647 5G stations. The digital data warehouse and Open Data Portal are operated, synchronously connected with the provincial Intelligent Operations Center (IOC); the operational management system in Party agencies is deployed smoothly, linking all levels. The 1st Dong Nai Provincial Party Congress, 2025-2030 term, was successfully organized according to the "paperless congress" model...

The Public Administration Service Center of Chon Thanh ward is equipped with modern machinery to serve people in carrying out administrative procedures. Photo: Ngan Ha - Thu Hong

The province has deployed a digital data warehouse and an open data portal, integrating more than 2,000 administrative procedures on the National Public Service Portal. Dong Nai has also issued a decision announcing a list of more than 1,900 administrative procedures implemented independently of administrative boundaries within the province. The rate of fully online administrative procedure dossiers processed has reached nearly 90%. The flow of data has replaced in-person visits, saving thousands of working hours and social costs. The province's index for serving people and businesses ranks 3rd out of 34 provinces and cities nationwide.

Nguyen Khanh Nga went to the Public Administration Service Center of Dong Tam commune to exchange his land use rights certificate. What surprised him was that in less than an hour of waiting, the center staff had completed the dossier and sent an appointment letter for results after 15 days.

"I didn't think it would be so fast. This is proof of the drastic reform spirit, where technology has been applied to every step, shortening the waiting time for people," Nga confided.

Vice Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai province Vo Hoang Khai (left) visits the exhibition area showcasing digital technology products at the Techfest Dong Nai 2025 event. Photo: Hai quan

Administrative reform efforts have made Dong Nai one of the leading localities nationwide in building land data; it is always listed among the top 10 provinces and cities nationwide regarding the set of indicators serving people and businesses in carrying out administrative procedures and providing public services; while Dong Nai’s digital transformation ranking is among the top 14 provinces and cities nationwide. The province is also promoting the completion of databases for connection and sharing, such as building electronic health records, electronic medical records, electronic student records, and building a database of Party members.

Vo Thi Hong Cuc, Vice Chairwoman of Chon Thanh Ward People's Committee, shared: "Immediately after the two-tier government came into operation, the ward also promoted the application of technology, bringing artificial intelligence (AI) into application at reception counters; equipping machinery to serve people to submit administrative procedures as quickly as possible, so that people and businesses can resolve all their needs in one place."

Conquering the digital future

With the advantage of being one of the leading localities nationwide in industrial development, home to many large industrial parks and national infrastructure projects such as Long Thanh International Airport and a network of expressways, Dong Nai has favorable conditions to become a new development center.

Businesses introduce digital technology products and innovative solutions at the Techfest Dong Nai 2025 event.

Comrade Le Truong Son, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, said: The province has set targets for the contribution of total factor productivity (TFP) to growth at over 60%; high-tech product exports to reach at least 50%; budget expenditure for science, technology, and digital transformation to strive for over 3% in 2026; and the digital economy to account for 30% of the economy's scale by 2030. The province is moving towards a Dong Nai digital government version 4.0, where administrative processes are digitized, and data is seamlessly connected and shared. This not only helps provincial leaders make faster and more accurate decisions but also serves people and businesses with the utmost transparency and convenience.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tu Diep Cong Thanh, Director of the Center for Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, highly appreciated Dong Nai's approach in placing science and technology within the development of knowledge-based economy. "The core of the knowledge-based economy is intellectual property, and Dong Nai needs to strongly promote the exploitation of intellectual property resources from universities and businesses. The province needs to soon establish an Innovation and Digital Transformation Center, considering it the 'architect' for the local innovation ecosystem," suggested Associate Professor, Dr. Tu Diep Cong Thanh.

Looking ahead, Dong Nai sets a challenging problem: By 2030, the proportion of its digital economy in GRDP must reach 30% or more. To bridge the gap from the current 7.5%, the province has clearly defined a roadmap with "super infrastructure projects" and breakthrough mechanisms. The development focus in the 2026-2030 period will revolve around new growth poles: Dong Nai High-Tech Park, Long Thanh Digital Technology Park, and especially the proposal to build a Hyperscale Data Center.

Pham Van Trinh, Provincial Party Committee member and Director of the Department of Science and Technology, stated: The province will have programs to support businesses and people through various solutions regarding taxes, land, and administrative procedures to help businesses improve productivity and competitiveness, considering businesses as the center and people as the beneficiaries, and also as the pioneering force in forming the digital economy and digital society.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son emphasized: It is time for Dong Nai to confidently "take off" with the "pair of wings" of science and technology. This journey has no room for hesitation or a "just get it done" mindset. Every department, sector, and locality must proactively advise and proactively commission experts to solve their own problems. Then, the aspiration for a digital economy accounting for 30% of GRDP by 2030 is entirely feasible.

The effective implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW is showing a fundamental shift in Dong Nai's thinking and development methods. With the foundation already built and a strategic vision for the 2026-2030 period, Dong Nai is realizing its aspiration to rise through knowledge and technology.

By Ngan Ha, Thu Hong – Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha