Developing smart, modern cities: The connection between political leadership and scientific innovation

Construction of Dong Nai River Road Project, Tran Bien Ward, to serve urban development along Dong Nai River. Photo: Pham Tung

Creating and breaking through urban development

Dong Nai has a strategic geographical position, being the intersection of key economic regions: Southeast, South Central, Central Highlands and Mekong Delta. Dong Nai province is also considered the "capital" of industrial development in the country with Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park being the first established in the country. Along with that, in recent years, the transport infrastructure system in the province has also been invested and developed strongly. All of these have created extremely favorable conditions for Dong Nai to create and break through in developing the urban system in the province.

According to the Provincial People's Committee, in recent years, the province has directed departments, branches and localities to organize and implement the urban development program for the whole province and for each urban area as a basis for the construction and completion of urban infrastructure systems to meet the basic standards of each type of urban area. At the same time, it is integrated with other programs and plans in the area to gradually improve urban areas, complete technical infrastructure systems, ensure sustainable and modern development of urban areas, and meet the needs of economic development. Up to now, 16 urban areas have been formed in Dong Nai province, including 1 type I urban area and 2 type III urban areas.

Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Ha said: In recent years, the state management of construction planning, urban planning, and urban development in Dong Nai province has been focused on and initially achieved positive results. The appearance of urban areas has gradually been improved, contributing positively to the socio-economic development of localities, creating a new look.

Along with that, Dong Nai also focuses on basic construction investment; the urban infrastructure system has been invested relatively, basically shaped. Some important national projects such as Long Thanh International Airport, key routes connecting to the airport, expressways that have been put into operation or are being implemented are great favorable conditions for Dong Nai to connect with other areas in the region, transporting goods more conveniently. This also contributes to promoting the development of urban areas in the province.

With the goal of forming a sustainable urban system and improving the quality of life of urban residents, in recent years, Dong Nai province has devoted many resources to urban beautification. Up to now, urban beautification projects have been completed such as: putting into use 2 public parking lots at Bien Hung Park and the old Trung Cao Hospital area; 4 parking lots combined with green parks in areas such as: the land under the A42 water tower, the land opposite Duong Tu Giang Park, the land of the old headquarters of Dong Nai Printing Enterprise and the land of the old Dong Tien Joint Stock Company. Along with that, the province has completed the dismantling of the fence in front of the Provincial Conference Center (Tan Trieu Ward), the section along Nguyen Ai Quoc Street to create an airy urban space and improve the beauty of the road.
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Comrade Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized: One of the important goals of Dong Nai province in urban development is to form high-class urban, tourism and resort service areas. And the "highlight" for realizing this goal is that Dong Nai province is resolutely implementing the Project to Convert the function of Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park into an urban - commercial - service area and improve the environment to build a new civilized, modern, sustainable urban - service - commercial area, creating a unique aesthetic appearance for Dong Nai urban area. It can be said that the conversion of the function of the oldest industrial park in the country and considered the "cradle" of Vietnam's industry into a green, modern urban area is a clear demonstration of the sustainable development orientation of Dong Nai province, including urban development.

Developing a synchronous, modern, smart, and unique urban system

As the locality “located” in Long Thanh Airport, Dong Nai province has identified this as one of the two driving forces for the province’s development in the coming time, along with the Dong Nai River corridor. In order to fully exploit the potential and advantages of Long Thanh Airport, Dong Nai province is also implementing planning work to develop the Long Thanh Airport urban model.

The formation of Long Thanh Airport urban area - the core of the largest aviation service area in the country, along with the Dong Nai River corridor - the modern urban development axis of the southern part of the province, is identified as a dual driving force, both promoting services - trade - logistics, and activating the real estate, finance and tourism markets, creating a breakthrough development for the local economy, including urban development.

The political report of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee presented to the 1st Congress of Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee, term 2025-2030, has determined the viewpoint of developing the province's urban system in the coming time is to develop a synchronous, modern, smart, and unique urban system. The characteristic is the development of international-class airport urban areas and riverside ecological urban areas.

In the Political Report presented to the 1st Congress of Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee, regarding the main targets for the 2025-2030 term, Dong Nai province set a target that by 2030, the urbanization rate in the province will reach 55%.

Currently, Dong Nai province is one of the top localities in the country in terms of area, population as well as economic scale. Along with that, the infrastructure system, especially the transport infrastructure, is also being strongly invested and developed with a series of key national projects being implemented such as: Long Thanh Airport; Bien Hoa - Vung Tau, Gia Nghia - Chon Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City - Thu Dau Mot - Chon Thanh expressways... are expected to open up new economic - social development spaces for the province, including the field of urban development.

Dr. Mai Chiem Hieu, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Political Economy, Regional Political Academy II (Ho Chi Minh City) said: Dong Nai province has the "super" Long Thanh Airport, Phuoc An Port, the traffic center of the Southeast region; at the same time, the province is also the gateway connecting traffic with the Central Highlands, the Southwest, and the South Central region. With the above advantages, the new Dong Nai province has a lot of potential for economic development. In development, the old Long Thanh, Nhon Trach and Bien Hoa areas should be taken as the main driving force.

“Specifically, focus on developing smart cities with diverse and quality services. In particular, the old Bien Hoa area will be the political and administrative center of the province, and should focus on developing it in the direction of a modern urban area with many high-quality services. In particular, it is necessary to exploit and develop both sides of the Dong Nai River following the model of the two sides of the Han River in Da Nang city,” said Dr. Mai Chiem Hieu.

According to Dr. of Science - Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son, Chairman of NgoViet Architects & Planners (based in Ho Chi Minh City): For Dong Nai province, the industrial sector can be prioritized for development to the North (formerly Binh Phuoc province). At that time, the old Bien Hoa urban area and Long Thanh Airport urban area will have more space to promote urban development.

“When industrial development is shifted to the North, it will also open up opportunities for urban development in this area. Because at that time, connecting traffic infrastructure will have to be invested in and developed synchronously, plus the shift of labor resources are the conditions to promote the development of the industrial urban model” - Dr. of Science - Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son shared.

In Dong Nai's urban development strategy for the coming time, the province also identified one of the main breakthroughs as the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) urban model - an urban development model that focuses on the public transport system.

According to the plan, the high-speed railway line on the North-South axis passing through the province has a length of about 82km. Along with that, Dong Nai province is also promoting urban railway projects (metro). These are very favorable conditions for the formation and development of TOD urban model in the province.

Pham Tung

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202509/phat-trien-do-thi-thong-minh-hien-dai-su-gan-ket-giua-lanh-dao-chinh-tri-va-sang-tao-khoa-hoc-e2104de/