This outcome not only builds on Dong Nai’s thorough and methodical preparation process, but also reflects the coordinated and responsible engagement of ministries, central sectors and the Government in guiding, reviewing and finalizing the dossier. As a result, it affirms the proposal’s maturity and lays a solid foundation for realizing the goal in the near future.

Laying the groundwork for a new step forward

At the April 10 session, the NA’s Committee for Legal and Judicial Affairs reached broad consensus on the necessity of establishing new wards and forming Dong Nai as a centrally governed city, while agreeing to submit the proposal for consideration at the ongoing first session of the 16th NA. The Committee noted that the dossier and procedures had been fully and properly implemented in line with regulations, describing the proposals as concrete steps in realizing major central policies, while also creating fresh momentum for regional development and strengthening territorial governance, national defense and security in a strategically important area.

A view of Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai Province. Photo: Pham Tung

In addition, the NA’s Committee for Legal and Judicial Affairs requested the Government to incorporate feedback to further refine the dossier, while urging Dong Nai to promptly complete its urban planning and establish a roadmap to address unmet criteria. The Committee also assigned its standing body to finalize the verification report in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) before submission to competent authorities.
Earlier, based on careful preparation, the Government issued Resolution No. 95/NQ-CP dated April 6, 2026, on the dossier for the establishment of 10 wards and the formation of a centrally

governed Dong Nai City. This marked an important step in transitioning to the NA-level appraisal stage.
During the appraisal process, at a conference on April 3, Do Thanh Binh, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Home Affairs, emphasized that the proposal rests on a comprehensive political, legal and practical foundation. He affirmed that Dong Nai has fully met the necessary conditions to become a centrally governed city.
According to the minister, Dong Nai holds a particularly strategic position in the Southeast region and the country as a whole, both in terms of economic development and national defense and security. At the same time, its transport, industrial, service and logistics infrastructure systems are becoming increasingly synchronized. Notably, Long Thanh International Airport is expected to serve as a new growth driver, helping position the province as a key growth pole, a major economic connector and an international gateway for Southern Vietnam. These assessments not only reflect the quality of the proposal’s preparation but also reinforce the basis for the Government’s resolution, ensuring feasibility and readiness for subsequent implementation steps.

Opening up new growth drivers for the region

Representing a key advisory body under the MoHA, Phan Trung Tuan, Director General of the Department of Local Government, noted that field surveys of urban areas clearly demonstrate the role of connectivity between Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s two large economic hubs. As major infrastructure projects are completed, regional linkages are expected to become increasingly evident, moving toward the formation of a large-scale urban space. In this context, Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City will play central roles in driving development for both the region and the nation.

A delegation conducting field surveys and appraisal of the proposal, together with Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Van Ut (4th, right), visits the Aqua City urban area.
Photo: Ho Thao

Tuan added that to ensure progress, the proposal development process has been implemented flexibly, combining field surveys with on-site appraisal to shorten timelines while maintaining quality. He recommended that the province promptly develop an action program and detailed implementation plan, clearly assign responsibilities and prioritize training and capacity building for officials to meet the demands of modern urban governance.
Contributing further opinions during the appraisal process, Do Xuan Minh, Director General of the Department of Civil Service Organization under the Government Office, said Dong Nai has demonstrated strong responsibility, determination and development aspirations. He noted that the proposal has been carefully and methodically prepared, with close coordination among ministries and central sectors. Given that this is a new initiative in the context of nationwide administrative restructuring and the implementation of a two-tier local government model, he stressed the importance of communication efforts to build public consensus and ensure smooth implementation.
From the construction sector’s perspective, Nguyen Tuong Van, Deputy Minister of Construction, affirmed that the proposal is necessary and grounded in solid political, legal and practical foundations. He highlighted Dong Nai’s role as a key industrial and logistics hub as well as an international transport gateway for Southern Vietnam, particularly with Long Thanh International Airport. To meet development demands in the coming period, he suggested the province continue improving criteria, enhance urban governance capacity, finalize its master planning and review its system of subordinate and satellite urban areas, with a focus on upgrading infrastructure quality and ensuring urban landscape and architectural coherence. Completing institutional frameworks, especially special mechanisms aligned with central orientations, will be crucial for effective implementation.
Building on this solid foundation and increasingly clear growth drivers, Dong Nai is now poised to enter a new phase of development — dynamic, modern and sustainable.
Meanwhile, Senior Lieutenant General Le Quang Dao, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, stated that alongside promoting socio-economic development and regional connectivity, the establishment of a centrally governed city will also strengthen defensive capabilities and the regional defense posture, including national defense and security potential. It will help ensure close linkage between the Southeast region and the Central Highlands, meeting the requirements of national construction and defense in the new context, while also contributing to the all-people national defense posture associated with the people’s security posture and enhancing international cooperation and people-to-people diplomacy.
With thorough preparation, a methodical approach and strong consensus from ministries and central sectors, Dong Nai is steadily moving closer to its goal of becoming a centrally governed city.