Sci-tech, innovation and digital transformation: “Key” to unlocking new growth drivers for Dong Nai  (Part 2)

Part 2: Developing strategic technologies, promoting digital economy as key pillar

Dong Nai City has been making concerted efforts to accelerate comprehensive digital transformation (DT), with a particular focus on developing the digital economy as one of its key pillars. The city aims to raise the digital economy’s share to more than 30% of GRDP by 2030.

Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Minh Quang (second from left) experiences new technology products at a digital technology exhibition in Dong Nai.

At the same time, the city is working toward developing a list of strategic technology products to promote digital transformation solutions and advance science and technology (Sci-tech) in the locality.

Removing bottlenecks, implementing a roadmap for digital economy development

The digital economy comprises core digital economy sectors and economic sectors undergoing digitalization. In addition to core digital economy sectors, several other sectors generate significant digital economy value added, including e-commerce and financial and other services.

Dong Nai has many favorable conditions for developing the digital economy, including its large economic scale and population. In particular, the city benefits from strong connectivity infrastructure, its strategic position within the regional network, and the growth momentum generated by Long Thanh International Airport. In addition, Dong Nai ranked sixth nationwide in the 2026 E-business Index (EBI), marking the ninth consecutive year that it has ranked among the country’s top 10 localities in this index. Industrial parks across the city are also home to numerous green and smart factories operated by foreign-invested corporations and enterprises such as Nestlé, Bosch, Schaeffler, Meggitt, SMC, UPM, Fleming, Coherent and Kaneko.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Huu Hanh, Deputy Director of the National Digital Transformation Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology:

Researching a digital economy growth scenario

One of the tasks Dong Nai needs to focus on is researching and developing digital economy growth scenarios under both conventional and breakthrough options. On that basis, the city should review the current situation and identify specific solutions to increase the digital economy’s share of GRDP. At the same time, it needs to identify breakthrough development challenges in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, particularly strategic technology fields commensurate with its potential, in order to attract experts and scientists to conduct research, development, application and technology transfer.

Khuat Quang Hung, Deputy General Director of Nestlé Vietnam Co., Ltd., said Dong Nai has many advantages and great potential for developing a modern and sustainable industrial sector. The company expects the city to continue accelerating the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in sci-tech development, innovation and digital transformation, while introducing more programs to support businesses in digital transformation and the application of technology to production.

According to a press release issued by the Statistics Department on the share of digital economy value added in GDP and GRDP during 2021-2025 period, Dong Nai’s digital economy previously maintained relatively stable growth, both in terms of its contribution to GRDP and its annual growth rate. Specifically, from 2021 to 2025, the share of digital economy value added in Dong Nai’s GRDP increased from 6.61% in 2021 to 7.88% in 2025.

Master’s degree holder Nguyen Thi Huyen of the National Accounts System Division under the Statistics Department of the Ministry of Finance analyzed that this reflects the gradual penetration of digital transformation into production, business and service activities across the locality. However, Dong Nai’s digital economy development still faces several bottlenecks that need to be addressed. The limitations do not lie in the scale of the economy or industrial production capacity, but mainly in the scale and level of development of the core digital economy and the digital services ecosystem.

In early September 2026, at a working session with the city on orientations for developing sci-tech, innovation and digital transformation, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology and Environment suggested several development directions for Dong Nai, including data and AI; robotics and smart manufacturing; aviation technology, logistics and unmanned aerial vehicles; and supporting industries for semiconductors and electronics.

While traditional processing and manufacturing industries remain the primary growth drivers, sectors that directly create digital products, services and platforms have not yet developed commensurately. This is also why the share of digital economy value added in Dong Nai’s GRDP remains below the national average. At the same time, this indicates that the city still has considerable room to develop its digital economy in the coming years if it adopts appropriate policies to attract investment and promote digital transformation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung The Dong, an economic expert at the Ministry of Finance, emphasized that Dong Nai’s digital economy has positive development prospects. However, the target of raising the digital economy’s share to more than 30% of GRDP by 2030 can only be achieved sustainably if the city prioritizes digitalization to create value in sectors such as industry, logistics, commerce and agriculture. Regarding key solutions to promote digital economy development, the city needs to establish governance mechanisms and measurement systems while focusing on developing digital infrastructure, data and shared platforms. It should also accelerate digital transformation programs for industry and smart factories, develop the Long Thanh digital logistics ecosystem, and promote the digital technology and innovation sectors.

Developing strategic technologies in line with local needs and development requirements

The city is focusing on implementing the Long Thanh Concentrated Digital Technology Park Project and developing an innovation and digital transformation center, gradually establishing a local innovation ecosystem. These efforts aim to create an environment conducive to investment, research, development and technology commercialization. At the same time, Dong Nai is increasingly attracting major investment interest from large corporations and companies in the digital technology industry. For example, in July 2025, U.S.-based Coherent inaugurated a semiconductor manufacturing plant at Nhon Trach 1 Industrial Park with total investment capital of USD127 million. The project has helped affirm Dong Nai’s attractiveness as a high-tech investment destination.

Member of the City Party Committee, Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) Pham Van Trinh said the sci-tech sector has identified key and urgent orientations and solutions to promote breakthrough growth. The sector is focusing on developing core technologies and the digital ecosystem, mobilizing resources to master and develop strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor integrated circuits, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, cloud computing and blockchain. At the same time, it aims to make smart robotics and automation core technologies in the development of digital government and digital enterprises.

The DoST has reviewed, consolidated and proposed a list of strategic technology products expected to be developed during 2026-2030 period to meet requirements for sci-tech, innovation and digital transformation. The list is designed to focus on fields of strategic importance to the city, including the digital economy, logistics, high-tech industry, high-tech agriculture, biotechnology and biomedicine.

At a consultation conference of the Expert Advisory Council on orientations for sci-tech, innovation and digital transformation development through 2030 in the city in July 2026, Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Dong Nai People’s Council Ton Ngoc Hanh requested the city People’s Committee and relevant departments and sectors to review and organize specific seminars and activities to identify key priorities, core technology fields and strategic technologies for Dong Nai. These efforts, she said, should serve as a basis for promoting science and technology, innovation and digital transformation in a manner aligned with the city’s potential, advantages and development requirements.

By Hai Quan - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha