On April 16, 2026, the Ministry of Construction officially recognized Dong Nai Province as meeting the criteria for a Class-I urban area. Having fully satisfied all 7 out of 7 criteria, Dong Nai qualified to become a city and was officially recognized as a city from April 30, 2026, with an area of more than 12,700 square kilometers and a population of around 5 million people.

This is a significant historic milestone, opening a valuable opportunity for the locality to restructure its urban space toward an ecological, green, clean, and sustainable model, while improving the quality of life for residents.

Creating Momentum for a Modern Urban Chain

The upgrade to a Class-I urban area and one of the seven cities nationwide brings many outstanding advantages to Dong Nai. First of all, it strengthens local autonomy in planning and investment. The new city will have greater authority in formulating and adjusting master plans, attracting major infrastructure investment from the central government and strategic investors. Dong Nai is located at the gateway of the Southeast region, adjacent to Ho Chi Minh City, and is home to Long Thanh International Airport, one of the country’s most important infrastructure projects. The upgrade will create momentum for the formation of a modern urban chain closely connected with the Southern Key Economic Region.

Dong Nai’s new planning orientation prioritizes the development of green corridors along the Dong Nai River and the construction of urban areas along the river. Photo: Cong Nghia

The greatest opportunity lies in developing an ecological and green urban model. Dong Nai still retains many natural advantages, including a dense river system such as the Dong Nai River, Be River, and La Nga River, as well as Tri An Lake, Cat Tien National Park, Chua Chan Mountain, and Nui Le Lake. Newly established wards such as Binh Loc, Hang Gon, Dau Giay, Tan Phu, Tan Trieu, Tri An, Loc Ninh, and Tan Khai can also develop ecological urban areas within an ecological city. This is a valuable foundation for developing the model of “urban areas within nature” instead of allowing nature to be urbanized. Dong Nai’s new planning also prioritizes the development of green corridors along the Dong Nai River, building riverside, lakeside, and forest-adjacent urban areas in an ecological direction, combined with high-end resort tourism. Eco-industrial parks, such as the Amata Industrial Park model, should be expanded, applying clean technologies and reducing carbon emissions.

To turn opportunities into reality, planning must be long-term, scientific, people-centered, and prioritize environmental protection. Broad participation from the community, experts, and international organizations is needed in the planning process.

The development of the new Dong Nai City requires the reorganization of areas formerly belonging to Bien Hoa City in order to address existing issues, including excessive population density without appropriate planning, leading to pollution, flooding, and traffic congestion; the presence of many factories and enterprises that cause environmental pollution and rely heavily on labor; low quality of life for residents due to these limitations; and deteriorating urban aesthetics, especially the lack of green space. Therefore, alongside new development, it is also essential to upgrade existing urban areas to ensure synchronized development for Dong Nai City in the future.

Toward a Green and Environmentally Friendly Urban Area

To move toward a green and environmentally friendly urban model, Dong Nai City needs to implement multiple solutions in a synchronized manner.

First, the city should increase the ratio of green space and open areas. By 2030, the target should be at least 10-15 square meters of green space per person in urban areas, excluding rural, forest, and mountainous areas. The city should develop central parks, community ecological gardens, and green corridors connecting residential areas. Public transport should be strongly developed under the transit-oriented development model to reduce private vehicles, limit congestion and air pollution, and connect major urban areas such as Bien Hoa, Long Thanh, Tan Phu, and Dong Xoai.

Second, environmental management and climate change adaptation must be strengthened. Smart technologies should be applied in wastewater and solid waste treatment, as well as real-time air quality monitoring. The city needs to build flood-control drainage systems, protect upstream forests, and preserve biodiversity. Existing forest areas such as Vinh Cuu, Thanh Son, Nam Cat Tien, and Loc Ninh should be actively protected to create a “green lung” for the city and the Southeast region. A long-term vision of 50-100 years should be adopted for environmental protection based on the city’s conditions and climate change scenarios.

Dong Nai’s upgrade to a city and Class-I urban area is not merely an administrative change, but also a strategic turning point to build a civilized, modern, ecological, and livable urban area. If this opportunity is effectively leveraged with a green and sustainable vision, Dong Nai City will become a bright spot in the Southeast region, making an important contribution to the overall development of the country. This is the moment for Dong Nai to continue writing its development story in harmony between people and nature, bringing a better life to around 5 million residents.

Third, Dong Nai should develop a green economy and smart urban model. The city needs to shift from traditional industries toward high-tech industries, green logistics, and ecotourism services. It should develop and tap the potential of 51 ecotourism sites in the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, with 37 ecotourism routes along Tri An Lake and War Zone D, linked with the development of ecological urban areas in suitable locations. At the same time, strong investment should be made in renewable energy, including solar and biomass energy, along with digital infrastructure to form a smart city.

The greatest benefit of this direction is the improvement of residents’ quality of life. Green urban development brings cleaner air and greater access to recreational, sports, and cultural spaces. Residents will benefit from a safe and convenient living environment, supported by modern healthcare, education, and service systems. As the economy develops sustainably, high-quality employment opportunities will increase, incomes will improve, and this will contribute to reducing inequality and building a more connected community. Dong Nai’s ecological urban development will also promote ecological urban growth in particular and socio-economic development in general for the region and the country, including the Southern Key Economic Region.

Nguyễn Minh Hải

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/