Looking ahead to the announcement of Dong Nai City’s establishment

An Hao Bridge in Tran Bien ward connects National Highway 1A (Vung Tau intersection) with the provincial center. Photo: Cong Nghia

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Cong Dong, Tam Phuoc Ward Police

Wishing for improvements across all aspects of social life

As a police officer, I strongly support the policy of upgrading Dong Nai to a centrally governed city. This will contribute to improving people’s living standards, with expanded and enhanced social welfare. At the same time, transport infrastructure will continue to be upgraded and expanded, creating more convenient conditions for socio-economic development. This will help attract both domestic and foreign investment, generating strong momentum for economic growth, creating more jobs, and improving livelihoods. In terms of social life, economic development will also contribute to enhancing people’s spiritual life, creating more cultural, sports, and recreational spaces. In addition, efforts to ensure security and public order must be strengthened to maintain safety and stability across the province, preventing unexpected situations and maintaining proactive control.

Master Pham Thi Huong, the Dong Nai Intellectual Women’s Association

Confident that the heroic land of Dong Nai will continue to rise

The recent media coverage of Dong Nai’s anticipated status as a centrally governed city has brought me mixed emotions - pride and excitement, but also reflection on the significant challenges ahead for what I consider my second hometown. Having been closely attached to this land for more than 35 years, that span of time has been enough for me to deeply appreciate and cherish Dong Nai; I am especially proud that the province has made meaningful contributions across many aspects of national development. I look forward to the official announcement of Dong Nai City and firmly believe that this heroic land will continue to grow stronger and reach further. With its new status in a new era, I also expect Dong Nai to achieve breakthrough, pioneering, and sustainable development.

Nguyen Minh Tung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee

and Youth Union Secretary of Bu Gia Map commune

Expecting more support for border youth

Bu Gia Map remains a remote and disadvantaged commune. As Youth Union Secretary of a border commune, I have witnessed the strong sense of responsibility, initiative, and determination demonstrated by local youth in maintaining security and order, protecting territorial sovereignty, and contributing to socio-economic development. Young people in the border area always actively participate in coordination with functional forces, contribute to building cultural life, support local residents, and help maintain stability and development in the border area. To further promote the role of the Youth Union in the specific conditions of a border area, in anticipation of Dong Nai becoming a new city, I hope that authorities at all levels will provide greater support in terms of mechanisms, resources, operational funding, facilities, and programs that assist youth in economic development. This would enable the Youth Union to organize more effective and practical activities linked to border protection and youth livelihood improvement, while contributing to building a stronger, safer, and more sustainable locality.

Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang, Chairwoman of the Women’s Union of Loc Thanh commune

More support needed for vulnerable women

Becoming a centrally governed city presents an opportunity for Dong Nai to achieve breakthroughs in socio-economic development. As both a resident and a Women’s Union official, I have high expectations for comprehensive changes in the locality in the coming years. Loc Thanh is a border commune where more than 30% of the population belongs to the S’tieng ethnic group. I hope that future Dong Nai City will invest more comprehensively in socio-economic infrastructure, especially in transport, electricity, water supply, and information technology in border areas, including Loc Thanh. Improved infrastructure will create better conditions for women to access economic opportunities, expand production and business, particularly for ethnic minority women who still face many difficulties. I also hope for greater attention to social welfare policies and sustainable poverty reduction, especially programs supporting vulnerable women and ethnic minority women, as well as initiatives to enhance the quality of female human resources through training, skills development, digital transformation, and innovative entrepreneurship.

Hoang Minh Thu, legal aid officer

Legal aid – a human-centered foundation in Dong Nai’s development journey

Dong Nai’s orientation toward becoming a centrally governed city reflects a major policy direction, demonstrating strategic vision and strong development aspirations in the new phase. Alongside economic growth, infrastructure development, and urbanization, ensuring social equity - particularly access to justice - must be given due attention. In reality, vulnerable groups such as the poor, persons with disabilities, the elderly living alone, and children still face significant barriers in accessing legal services. Therefore, legal aid plays a crucial role as a “bridge” that helps them protect their legitimate rights and interests. I hope that, in the course of building and developing into a centrally governed city, Dong Nai province will continue to prioritize investment in and further improve the quality of this work.

Ngo Ngoc Huy, a resident in Trang Dai ward

Hoping to contribute to social policy development

The orientation to upgrade Dong Nai to a centrally governed city represents a major transformation that will directly impact people’s lives in many aspects. On the positive side, this presents an opportunity for making strong breakthroughs in economic growth, infrastructure, and the quality of public services. Once becoming a centrally governed city, the province will likely attract more investment sources, create more jobs, and improve transport, healthcare, and education systems, enabling people to access a more modern and convenient living environment. However, rapid urbanization may also bring challenges such as environmental pollution, traffic congestion, and infrastructure overload. Income inequality could widen without appropriate regulatory policies. In this context, people expect not only a change in administrative status but, more importantly, tangible improvements in their lives. Above all, they hope their voices will be heard and that they can participate in the development process, so that Dong Nai becomes not only a larger urban center but also a livable, balanced, and inclusive place for all.