Exploiting economic potential along the river

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - Saigon River and Dong Nai River have a very important position in developing the riverside economic in ports, tourism, waterway transportation, environmental protection, ecology and security of water sources of localities. 

The Dong Nai River section passing through the province has a lot of potential for developing ecological urban areas and riverside urban areas 

Connecting riverside urban planning

In early July, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee organized a conference for exchange and cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast provinces. This is the second time this conference has been held. One of the topics discussed by localities is the proposed planning orientation along the Saigon River and Dong Nai River to exploit the economic potential along the river.

As reported by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture, for the urban planning along the Dong Nai River researched in the general planning project of Thu Duc City by the year 2040, the eco-tourism urban area will be expanded toward Dong Nai river. This stretch of urban space will be organized to include parks, marinas, inland waterway wharves associated with public spaces and a number of riverside urban centers, interwoven with urban and eco-tourism areas.

From the above planning research, recently, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Office announced the conclusions of local leaders at the second exchange and cooperation conference between Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast provinces.

In particular, for the proposed content of planning along the Saigon River and Dong Nai River, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture is responsible for presiding and coordinating with consulting units and localities in the the development planning area of the Saigon River to synchronously and comprehensively connect the technical infrastructure system including bridges, roads, inland waterway wharves, cargo ports,... with Binh Duong province and upstream provinces. After that, the department will report and ask the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to consider updating the General Construction Planning of Ho Chi Minh City to 2040, with a vision to 2060.

Synchronous and harmonious exploitation

The section of Dong Nai River flowing through the province is about 200km in length. Between Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai, Dong Nai River is part of the natural boundary with a length of about 40km. Therefore, it is very necessary for the two localities to agree on thoroughly planning and exploiting the potential of Dong Nai River in ecological urban development and high-class riverside urban development.

According to the Provincial People's Committee, currently, Dong Nai province and Ho Chi Minh City are having proposals on the possibility of connecting, organizing and exploiting the landscape architectural space on both sides of the Dong Nai River in a synchronous and harmonious way.

In the planning orientation of Dong Nai riverside road, Ho Chi Minh City has also set criteria to ensure feasibility, synchronization and continuity along the route to form the riverside landscape.

At the same time, it is an opportunity to strongly develop riverside economic activities, notably port operations and a number of tourist destinations, spiritual areas combining cuisine such as Long Binh port, Cat Lai port - Ben Nghe Phu Huu, Vinhomes Grand Park urban area, Ong temple, Ba Sang island; Hoi Son Pagoda; Long Phuoc eco-tourism area. At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City is also researching to how to exploit river tourism routes such as Bach Dang - Cat Lai - Hoi Son Pagoda - Cu Lao Pho.

On the Dong Nai side, in the planning orientation of the province for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the formation of urban areas - services - eco-tourism and high-class entertainment complexes is identified as one of the province's strategic breakthroughs.

In Nhon Trach district, the locality that is considered to have great potential for riverside urban development, seaport planning in the area has also been "streamlined" to reserve space for urban development.

Director of the Department of Planning and Investment Nguyen Huu Nguyen said that the province would also research and complete the transport network connecting riverside urban areas. ​