Dong Nai needs civilized citizens

Dong Nai is expanding its urban space with new roads, urban areas and infrastructure projects. But behind the large-scale projects of a major city lies another question: How will citizens change to contribute to building a civilized, modern city?

A city can be built with modern infrastructure, but a civilized urban area must be shaped by the awareness, behavior and sense of responsibility of every individual.

Urban culture starts with small things

Dong Nai City is implementing a number of transport projects, including expressways, ring roads and railways, to gradually expand its development space. But no matter how wide or attractive a road may be, it will be difficult to create a civilized urban environment if road users continue to run red lights, drive in the wrong lanes or stop and park indiscriminately.

A view of urban area in Long Khanh ward.

Similarly, even a well-appointed park can quickly lose its appeal if people leave rubbish behind after gatherings. A modern urban area cannot truly be a livable place if residents lack awareness of the need to preserve shared spaces.

These seemingly small things are a clear reflection of a city's urban culture. A culture of responsible road use starts with voluntarily obeying traffic laws and giving way to pedestrians. The same applies to the environment and public spaces. Not littering, not encroaching on sidewalks, maintaining order in residential areas and not damaging public property are all simple things to do. What matters is whether each person regards them as part of their own responsibility.

Nguyen Thi Tam, a resident of Quang Vinh quarter in Tran Bien ward, said that in an apartment building, each person's awareness affects the entire community. When most residents dispose of their rubbish in designated places and refrain from singing karaoke loudly and disturbing their neighbors, the few who do otherwise will also feel out of place and adjust their behavior accordingly.

“Civility in an apartment building, or more broadly, urban civility, does not come from anything grand. Maintaining proper behavior every day is itself a form of civility,” Tam said.

Working together for the common good

Dong Nai is a major city where people from different professions, age groups, backgrounds and places of origin live together. This diversity gives the city vitality, but it also requires everyone to respect shared spaces and the common interest.

The story of residents in Tan Loi commune joining hands to donate land for road construction is one example. To implement two key transport projects, public communication and mobilization teams went door to door, listened to residents' concerns, addressed their difficulties and encouraged their support. The efforts of local authorities, together with residents' consensus, helped facilitate land donations and road construction.

“Land is as valuable as gold,” and for local people, it is both an important asset and a source of livelihood. Yet when looking at the long-term interests of the wider community, many residents have recognized something greater than the value of their own family plots. Once a road is opened, it creates development opportunities not only for their own families but also for many other households.

In August 2026, many residents in Trang Dai ward voluntarily dismantled houses and other structures on their land to facilitate the expansion of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. In Phuoc Tan ward, meanwhile, many residents in September 2026 voluntarily relocated and handed over their land to enable the State to build a resettlement area before they received compensation and support. Behind these actions is a willingness to put the common interest first, which in the long run also serves each individual's own interest.

Veteran Le Van Chau, a resident of Huong Phuoc quarter in Phuoc Tan ward, said urban civility can be seen in very small things, such as workers disposing of rubbish properly after work, vendors keeping passageways clear, students showing respect to others, and people being willing to help one another when needed. Such actions need to become regular practices on every street and in every residential area, park and apartment building.

Building a civilized way of life

Just as transport infrastructure makes travel more convenient and digital infrastructure enables faster connections, compliance with the law, environmental protection, responsible road use and a strong sense of community responsibility all contribute to building a civilized urban way of life.

An art performance helps enrich the cultural life of local residents. Photo: C.T.V.

Resolution No. 16-NQ/TW, dated July 21, 2026, issued by the Politburo on orientations for developing Dong Nai through 2035 with a vision to 2065, places people at the center of development, viewing them as its subjects, resources, ultimate goal and beneficiaries. This calls for a broader approach to urban development that goes beyond roads, urban areas and growth targets. Alongside economic development measures, Dong Nai needs to invest in social infrastructure, with greater attention paid to building residents' awareness, way of life and civic behavior. This is important to making urban civility a matter of voluntary, everyday behavior. To this end, comprehensive measures should be implemented, including reforming education and training, raising awareness of legal compliance, and gradually turning social rules into voluntary habits and civilized behavior.

Politburo Resolution No. 16-NQ/TW sets out social development goals for Dong Nai for different stages. By 2035, Dong Nai is expected to have a civilized, safe and happy society; by 2045, a civilized, safe, livable and happy society; and by 2065, a city with a high quality of life and high levels of happiness by global standards.

Nguyen Van Ut, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of Dong Nai People's Committee, said the city would remain committed to combining economic development with environmental protection and the development of culture, society and people, while ensuring harmonious and sustainable development. The goal is to build Dong Nai as a “Civilized - Modern - Happy” city. Growth must go hand in hand with social progress and equality, environmental protection, and preservation of the cultural identity and character of Dong Nai's people. Environmental protection is a prerequisite for sustainable development, while all programs and projects should ultimately aim to improve people's quality of life and ensure that residents benefit from the fruits of development.

The development of a city can be clearly seen in its new roads, urban areas and infrastructure projects. But whether a city is truly livable also depends on whether it can foster voluntary compliance with the law, civilized behavior and a strong sense of responsibility toward the community. In this way, every individual can contribute to making Dong Nai increasingly prosperous, civilized and modern.

By B.Mai – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha