Dong Nai strengthens cooperation with Vila Nova de Gaia city (Portugal)

(DN) - On September 10, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son received a working delegation from Vila Nova de Gaia City (Portugal) led by Dr. José Guilherme Aguiar, City Council Member in charge of tourism and sports, and Vice Mayor of the city. The meeting took place in the context of the two sides having just signed an important memorandum of understanding on cooperation.

Leaders of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province and Vila Nova de Gaia city (Portugal) discussed the strengths of the two localities. Photo: Hoang Loc

At the reception, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son expressed his pleasure in welcoming the delegation to visit and work in Dong Nai. According to the leader of the Provincial People's Committee, since July 1, 1975, Vietnam and Portugal officially established diplomatic relations. Over the past 50 years, the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries have been continuously nurtured, increasingly consolidated and developed. Vietnam always attaches importance to the comprehensive partnership and cooperation with the European Union (EU) and its member countries, including Portugal.

July 1, 2025 is also an important milestone for Dong Nai province when Dong Nai (old) and Binh Phuoc (old) are merged into the new Dong Nai province, with an area of ​​about 12.7 thousand km² and a population of nearly 4.5 million people. With new administrative boundaries, located in the key economic region of the South, with Hoa Lu International Border Gate, nearly 260km of border with Cambodia and Long Thanh International Airport about to come into operation, Dong Nai promises to continue to affirm its role as a driving force for economic development of the whole country.

In recent years, industry has been the spearhead of the province's economic breakthrough, helping it maintain a high and stable growth rate, averaging 8% per year. Dong Nai has now established 57 industrial parks with a total area of ​​nearly 21,600 hectares; there are more than 2,200 valid FDI projects with a total capital of nearly 42 billion USD. The province's consistent motto is to accompany businesses, create a favorable investment environment, and aim for sustainable and long-term development, including Portuguese investors.

In addition to its industrial strengths, Dong Nai is also an important area for growing long-term industrial crops such as pepper, cashew, coffee, rubber, and many kinds of fruit trees. This is the foundation for the province to promote agricultural processing, expand exports and international trade cooperation.

Besides, there are tourism strengths: mountains, rivers, lakes; cultural and historical works; unique cultural identity of local people.

Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son presented gifts to the delegation of Vila Nova de Gaia city (Portugal). Photo: Hoang Loc

Regarding cooperation, from 1995 to present, Dong Nai has signed 27 memorandums of understanding and international cooperation agreements at the provincial level that are still in effect. Notably, on May 12, 2025, in Vila Nova de Gaia city, Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with the city government in the fields of: Cultural exchange, tourism promotion, economic - trade exchange, urban renovation and heritage conservation. This is a promising first step in the relationship between the two localities, contributing to strengthening the friendly relationship between Vietnam and Portugal.

Leaders of Vila Nova de Gaia city (Portugal) introduced a gift to Dong Nai province during their visit and working session. Photo: Hoang Loc

The provincial leaders hope that this visit will open up many new cooperation opportunities based on the signed memorandum of understanding, especially in Dong Nai’s strong areas of economy, culture, tourism and heritage conservation.

Leaders of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee and the delegation of Vila Nova de Gaia city (Portugal) took a photo during the working visit. Photo: Hoang Loc

Dr. José Guilherme Aguiar informed about the strengths of Vila Nova de Gaia city. This city is located on the south bank of the Douro River, in the Northern region of Portugal, famous for its Porto wine cellars. The city is currently the leading tourist, cultural and culinary destination of this country. Dr. José Guilherme Aguiar expressed his hope that in the coming time, the two localities will have a deep and long-term cooperative relationship in many aspects, especially in the field of tourism when the international airport in Dong Nai comes into operation.

Hoang Loc

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/chinh-tri/202509/dong-nai-tang-cuong-hop-tac-voi-thanh-pho-vila-nova-de-gaia-bo-dao-nha-4530f5d/