​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - On October 23, a delegation from Pinar del Río province (Cuba), led by Ms. Yamilé Ramos Cordero, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, First Secretary of Pinar del Río, and a Cuban National Assembly Deputy, had a working session with the leaders of Dong Nai province. 

Leaders of the two provinces sign a memorandum of understanding to establish a cooperative and friendly relationship. 

Dong Nai Possesses Great Potential for Development
The delegation was welcomed by the Dong Nai leaders: Mr. Nguyen Hong Linh, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Dong Nai People's Committee; Mr. Huynh Thanh Binh, Member of the Provincial Standing Committee, Chairman of the Provincial Inspection Committee, along with leaders of various provincial departments and sectors.

Secretary Nguyen Hong Linh emphasized the significance of the delegation's visit, contributing to deepening the special cooperative and friendly relationship between Vietnam and Cuba, particularly between Dong Nai and Pinar del Río provinces.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Linh shared with the delegation about Dong Nai's development in various fields. As part of the Southern Key Economic Region, Dong Nai has an area of more than 5,863 km², accounting for 1.9% of the country's total area. The province has a population of over 3 million, representing about 3.2% of the national population. Dong Nai consists of 11 districts and cities, with Bien Hoa as the provincial administrative center. Located about 30 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City and 40 km from the Thi Vai - Cai Mep port cluster in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Dong Nai boasts many advantages for future development.

It is expected that by early 2026, Long Thanh International Airport will complete its first phase and begin operations, creating development momentum not only for the province but for the entire Southern Key Economic Region. After the airport's inauguration, Dong Nai will have all five modes of transportation: road, air, rail, inland waterway, and international maritime, bolstering the province's rapid economic growth.

Dong Nai has advantages in industry, agriculture, and tourism. In recent years, the province has consistently achieved high and stable economic growth, averaging 8% annually. In the first nine months of 2024, the province's export turnover reached approximately 17.8 billion USD, up 11.4% compared to the same period last year; import turnover was around 12.9 billion USD, up 10.1%; and the trade surplus was about 4.98 billion USD. Dong Nai currently has seven universities, ten colleges, 13 vocational schools, and 50 training centers, providing vocational training for about 70,000 people annually.

The province is home to 32 industrial parks and several national key projects, creating immense potential and opportunities for further development. Dong Nai collects about USD 3 billion annually in provincial revenue and is one of the five provinces contributing significantly to the national budget. Dong Nai has signed cooperation agreements with 12 countries and has re-signed 13 memorandums of understanding. In September 2023, Mr. Nguyen Hong Linh led a delegation from Dong Nai to visit and work in Pinar del Río. This visit by the Pinar del Río delegation to Dong Nai province reflects the Cuban province's interest in Dong Nai, laying the foundation for establishing friendly and cooperative relations between the two provinces in the future. 

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Leaders from both sides shake hands, symbolizing their commitment to joint development.

Cooperation for Mutual Development

Ms. Yamilé Ramos Cordero expressed her gratitude for the warm reception from Dong Nai's leadership. She also shared and introduced the characteristics and economic development strategies of Pinar del Río.

According to Ms. Ramos Cordero, Pinar del Río is located in the western part of Cuba, with 62% of its economy relying on agriculture, including its world-renowned cigar production. Pinar del Río produces 70% of Cuba's cigars and ranks third in the nation for rice production.

The province also has significant tourism potential with many beautiful beaches. However, much of its fertile land remains underutilized due to a lack of fertilizers. In the future, Pinar del Río plans to focus on developing industries such as building materials, expanding hydropower plants to address electricity shortages, and increasing the cultivation of rice, crops, and tobacco.
Ms. Ariadne Feo Labrada, Consul General of Cuba in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that Cuba always facilitates cooperation between Viet Nam and Cuba, particularly between the provinces and cities of both countries. Cuba and Viet Nam have a very special friendship, and cooperation between the two provinces continues the long-standing tradition of strong bilateral relations. 

Secretary Nguyen Hong Linh presents a gift to Ms. Yamilé Ramos Cordero, First Secretary of Pinar del Río. 

At the working session, the leaders of Dong Nai and Pinar del Río signed a memorandum of understanding to establish cooperative and friendly relations in economic, social, and cultural development.