Rational population distribution for sustainable development

In the development strategy of each locality, rational population distribution plays a pivotal role, directly influencing growth rates, social welfare quality, and the overall sustainability of the living environment.

MSc in Public Health, Vo Thị Ngoc Lam, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health. Photo: Hanh Dung

Following the administrative boundary merger, Dong Nai faces numerous opportunities as well as challenges in population management and distribution. On this issue, a reporter from Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio–Television conducted an interview with MSc in Public Health VO THI NGOC LAM, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health.

UNEQUAL POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

*What notable changes have been observed in Dong Nai’s population landscape? How different is the distribution of residents across regions?

– Following the merger, Dong Nai Province has a population of approximately 4.49 million, ranking among the five most populous provinces and cities in the country. Differences in population distribution among regions are striking. Urban areas, especially central wards such as Tran Bien, Tam Hiep, and Long Binh, as well as localities with large concentrations of industrial parks like Trang Bom and Nhon Trach, have extremely high population densities. In Tran Bien Ward alone, the density exceeds 6,000 people per square kilometer.

Meanwhile, border and mountainous communes such as Dak O, Loc Ninh, and Bu Gia Map have very low densities, with only about 79 people per square kilometer, resulting in sparse and scattered populations.

*How does the concentration of people in urban areas and industrial zones impact the province’s socioeconomic development and welfare systems?

– The dense concentration of residents in urban and industrial areas brings both advantages and challenges. A large labor force helps promote industrial–service growth and increases GRDP per capita. This advantage also enables the province to invest more in transportation, healthcare, education, and social welfare infrastructure, contributing to better living conditions.

People in difficult circumstances in Loc Hung Commune, Dong Nai Province, receive free eye examinations from doctors at Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital. Photo: Hanh Dung

However, rapid mechanical population growth creates pressure on housing, schools, hospitals, traffic, clean water supply, and the environment. Rapid but uneven urbanization risks imbalance in development; the quality of life between urban and rural areas differs significantly. In many industrial areas, rush-hour traffic congestion, cramped boarding houses, overloaded schools, and hospitals operating at full capacity are common.

Additionally, a large influx of migrants puts pressure on social management, public security, and primary healthcare services. The environmental ecosystem is also significantly affected as waste volumes rise, motor vehicle traffic increases, and demand for clean water grows.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN POPULATION MANAGEMENT

*What solutions does Dong Nai plan to implement for population management in the near future?

– Dong Nai is vigorously advancing digital transformation across all three pillars: digital government, digital economy, and digital society. In population management, the province is implementing the VNeID electronic identification system, which includes Level 2 authentication and digital signatures, integrating a range of utilities related to online administrative procedures, personal document management, and asset records. This approach contributes to more scientific and modern residency management.

In the health sector, medical examination and treatment management software is being deployed alongside the MIS population statistics system to monitor demographic changes, birth and death data, migration trends, and healthcare needs. This undertaking forms a critical foundation for building a comprehensive population database to support policymaking and improve the accuracy of demographic forecasting.

The ultimate goal of rational population distribution is to ensure social welfare and improve the quality of life for all. When residents are evenly distributed, people everywhere can access good education and healthcare services, live in safe and clean environments, and have stable employment.

*In your opinion, what measures are needed for Dong Nai to achieve a rational population distribution?

– Rational population distribution is a comprehensive issue requiring coordination among planning, economic development, infrastructure investment, and social welfare policies.

First, the province should expand industrial parks and clusters in a reasonably dispersed manner, avoiding concentration in only a few localities. Inter-regional transport infrastructure must be improved to ensure smooth connectivity between residential and working areas. With improved transportation, people will no longer need to live near industrial zones.

Next, satellite urban centers and new residential areas should be developed. These satellite cities must be comprehensively planned with schools, hospitals, markets, commercial centers, cultural facilities, and green spaces. Attractive urban areas with suitable housing prices will draw residents away from overcrowded hotspots.

Additionally, public services in rural and mountainous areas must be strengthened. For people to “settle,” localities must offer good schools, medical stations, satellite hospitals, and adequate cultural–sports services. Developing high-tech agriculture and local industries will create sustainable employment opportunities, reducing the need for free migration to urban centers.

More importantly, social housing and worker housing must be expanded and reasonably distributed, rather than concentrated in a single area. This undertaking helps reduce population density while still ensuring convenience for workers.

*Thank you very much!

By Hanh Dung – Translated by Trieu Ngan, Minho