More bridges to boost connectivity between Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City

Long-awaited bridges

For many years, Ba Mieu Ferry Terminal has long been the main transport link for residents and goods moving between Tan Trieu ward in Dong Nai City and Thuong Tan commune in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ba Mieu Ferry Terminal has long connected Tan Trieu ward in Dong Nai City with Thuong Tan commune in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Pham Tung

Nguyen Thi Linh, who works for a company in Tan Trieu ward but lives in Thuong Tan commune, has relied on the Ba Mieu ferry for her daily commute for many years. According to Linh, commuting by ferry is inconvenient because travel depends on ferry schedules and weather conditions. Whenever she works late, she worries about missing the final ferry home.

Relying on the ferry for daily travel, workers worry about being late for work, while traders fear delays in transporting their goods. As a result, local residents have long hoped for a bridge connecting the two riverbanks. Upon hearing of the Tan Hien Bridge project, everyone was delighted.

“We just hope construction will begin soon so people can travel more conveniently," said Nguyen Anh, a resident of Tan Trieu ward.

Tan Hien Bridge is one of several projects aimed at improving transport links between Dong Nai City and Ho Chi Minh City. At the end of 2025, the People's Councils of both localities approved resolutions authorizing the Dong Nai People's Committee to serve as the project's competent authority. Early this year, the Government Office announced the Prime Minister's approval for the Dong Nai People's Committee to serve as the project's governing authority. The designation complies with the Law on Public Investment, which allows one provincial authority to oversee projects spanning two provincial-level administrative units. Tan Hien bridge will have six traffic lanes and a width of 33.5 meters, including a 560-meter bridge and 580 meters of approach roads.

According to the Dong Nai City Construction Investment Project Management Board, the project proposal has been completed and submitted to the Department of Finance for appraisal.

Tan Hien Bridge is the latest cross-river bridge project following the groundbreaking ceremonies earlier this year for Cat Lai Bridge, Long Hung Bridge and Phu My 2 Bridge, all of which are designed to strengthen transport connectivity between the two cities.

Strengthening connectivity for development

Almost the entire western side of Dong Nai City borders Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest metropolitan area. This strategic location creates enormous opportunities to strengthen transport connectivity, trade, industry and services while facilitating greater flows of investment, human resources and technology from the country's largest economic powerhouse.

Dong Nai City and Ho Chi Minh City have agreed to develop eight bridges connecting the two localities. In addition to Cat Lai, Long Hung, Phu My 2 and Tan Hien bridges, the two cities also plan to build Hieu Liem 2 Bridge, Thanh Hoi 2 Bridge, Tan An Bridge and Xom La Bridge.

However, Nguyen Van Ut, Deputy Secretary of the Dong Nai City Party Committee and Chairman of the Dong Nai People's Committee, said regional transport infrastructure, particularly links with Ho Chi Minh City, remains insufficient to meet the demands of future development.

Phuoc Khanh Bridge on the Ben Luc–Long Thanh Expressway, linking Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai City, is under construction. Photo: Pham Tung

Dong Nai City and Ho Chi Minh City are separated by the Dong Nai and Be rivers. Despite their close proximity, only a limited number of road bridges currently connect the two localities. Currently, only Thu Bien, Bach Dang 2, Dong Nai, Nhon Trach (on Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 3) and Long Thanh Bridge (on the Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh–Dau Giay Expressway) have completed construction and have been open to traffic. Meanwhile, Phuoc Khanh Bridge on the Ben Luc–Long Thanh Expressway and Phuoc An Bridge remain under construction. Against this backdrop, both localities are accelerating progress to develop additional road bridges across the rivers.

At third session, the first Dong Nai People's Council approved resolutions authorizing the Dong Nai People's Committee to act as the governing authority for three transport projects involving four bridges linking Dong Nai City and Ho Chi Minh City. The projects include a bridge spanning Ong Tiep Canal to connect D21 Road in Bien Hoa ward with Provincial Road DT.747A in Tan Uyen ward; a second bridge linking D30 Road with DT.14 Road; and two bridges along LKV.27 Road connecting Bien Hoa ward in Dong Nai City with D8 Road in Tan Uyen ward in Ho Chi Minh City.