Meeting key criteria
On population, the requirement for a centrally governed city is at least 2.5 million people, while Dong Nai’s population has reached nearly 4.5 million, thereby meeting the population threshold.
Long Thanh International Airport is seen as a key driver for Dong Nai’s development in the new phase.
Regarding area, Dong Nai spans more than 12,700 sq.km, well above the minimum requirement of 2,500 sq.km, thus satisfying this criterion.
A corner of an urban area in Binh Phuoc ward, Dong Nai province.
As for the proportion of wards among commune-level administrative units, the requirement is at least 30%. Dong Nai currently has 23 wards and 10 communes that meet conditions for ward status, reaching 34.73%. These are key communes in terms of socio-economic development and national defense and security, formed through the merger of former communes and townships.
In terms of urbanization, Dong Nai’s rate stands at nearly 57%, exceeding the required threshold of 45%.
With regard to its role and function in national planning, Dong Nai is identified as a major
industrial and logistics hub, as well as a key transport gateway, playing an important role in driving regional and national development, in line with the orientation of developing the Long Thanh International Airport urban area.
For the Class I urban criterion, Dong Nai has completed its dossier and submitted it to the Ministry of Construction for appraisal and recognition. Assessments show that the province has basically met 13 out of 15 criteria, exceeding the required 12.
Dong Nai is prioritizing transport infrastructure investment to create breakthroughs in development. In the photo: Component Project 1 of the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway is expected to be put into operation by late April 2026.
Regarding the seventh criterion on economic and socio-economic structure and development level, Dong Nai meets all component indicators. The province maintains fiscal self-balance; the combined share of industry, construction and services accounts for over 81% of the economy; per capita income over the past three years has remained higher than the national average;
GRDP growth has met or exceeded national GDP growth; and the poverty rate is below the national level.
Within 2026, Dong Nai is expected to quickly complete final steps to submit to the NA for approval of a resolution on establishing a centrally governed city, thereby meeting development requirements and strengthening linkages with major economic centers nationwide.
Dong Nai is set to become a gateway of the Southern key economic region and the country, following a development model as an industrial hub, modern urban center, logistics hub and high-tech agricultural center.
Awaiting formal approval
At present, Dong Nai not only has the potential but has effectively met the criteria for a centrally governed city. Several technical criteria are also nearing completion under the roadmap toward achieving Class I urban status.
A corner of an urban area in Tran Bien ward, Dong Nai province.
Thong Nhat Bridge, a key component of the Bien Hoa central axis road project, was technically opened to traffic in early 2026.
With a land border, Dong Nai holds a strategically important position in terms of national defense and security, while serving as a key node in the southern development corridor associated with Long Thanh International Airport and major transport axes. Therefore, there are sufficient political, legal and practical grounds to consider the establishment of Dong Nai as a centrally governed city.
In 2025, Dong Nai’s GRDP reached approximately VND677.93 trillion, with state budget revenue of VND102.96 trillion and GRDP per capita at VND152.8 million. These figures reflect a strong economic foundation, robust production capacity and significant fiscal contribution to the national budget.
Looking ahead, the city is expected to develop strongly in infrastructure, green and
ecological spaces, and environmental protection, supported by modern infrastructure, high-tech services and digital applications to enhance governance and quality of life.
Once approved by the Party Central Committee and the NA, the move will provide Dong Nai with a solid political and legal foundation to mobilize resources and accelerate planning adjustment, urban upgrading, complete technical, digital and social infrastructure, while reorganizing the
system of urban administrative units under a clear, feasible and well-monitored roadmap.
