Dong Thap affirms its role as a strategic gateway to the Mekong Delta region.

Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee Tran Tri Quang (second from left) inspected the progress survey of the high-rise project.

Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee Tran Tri Quang (second from left) inspected and surveyed the progress of the project.

The economy continues to thrive after the merger.

Promoting the unique advantages of the locality and the open development space after the merger, Dong Thap has urgently operated the two-level government apparatus in a streamlined, efficient and close-to-people and business direction. The province is gradually realizing its aspiration to become a strategic gateway of the Mekong Delta region.

In the first eight months of 2025, Dong Thap's economic picture recorded many positive signals: Industrial production index increased by 12.9% over the same period in 2024; total retail sales of goods and services reached more than 164,300 billion VND, up 9.6%; export turnover is estimated at more than 6.12 billion USD (67% of the yearly plan), up 2.7%. Tourism also flourished with more than 327,000 visitors, up 6.8% over the previous month.

Regarding the budget, the province collected more than 16,400 billion VND, equivalent to nearly 80% of the estimate and an increase of 11% over the same period. Dong Thap attracted 49 new investment projects with registered capital of over 21,000 billion VND, an increase of 31 projects and an additional 8,700 billion VND over the same period last year. Notably, the number of newly established enterprises reached nearly 1,800, equal to 98% of the yearly plan and 176% higher than the same period, showing that the investment and business environment is increasingly attractive.

In the context of limited private capital, Dong Thap identified public investment disbursement as a key lever. To date, the province has disbursed VND6,800 billion, reaching nearly 50% of the target assigned by the Government; the annual target is 100%, to ensure the progress of key projects and create spillover effects for the economy. At the same time, tourism development programs have been focused, helping the province welcome nearly 4.7 million visitors in 8 months, reaching 64.3% of the plan, with a total revenue of nearly VND3,000 billion.

Bringing Dong Thap tourism to a new era with the country

Set a breakthrough goal by 2025

In 2025, Dong Thap set key targets: total export turnover reaching over 9.2 billion USD; budget revenue exceeding 20,685 billion VND; mobilizing social investment capital from 85,500 billion VND or more and especially disbursing 100% of public investment capital. According to experts, this is both pressure and motivation for the province to make a breakthrough, aiming for a growth rate of 8.8% or more in the second half of the year.

Along with the economy, tourism continued to record positive results. In 8 months, the province welcomed nearly 4.7 million visitors, equivalent to 64.3% of the yearly plan, with total revenue reaching nearly 3,000 billion VND (72.6% of the plan). These figures show the growing attraction of Dong Thap tourism, and at the same time confirm the effectiveness of regional linkage programs and national tourism promotion campaigns.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Tri Quang emphasized that in order for the two-level government to operate effectively, Dong Thap persists in the "6 clear" motto: clear people, clear work, clear time, clear responsibility, clear products and clear authority. He requested each level and each sector to act decisively, proactively and creatively to avoid stagnation; at the same time, local authorities must accompany businesses and people, remove obstacles to maximize all resources for growth.

In specific instructions, the Chairman assigned: The Department of Finance to closely monitor the progress of public investment disbursement; the Department of Industry and Trade to support businesses and accelerate industrial projects; the Department of Agriculture and Environment to develop a landslide response scenario; the Department of Construction to remove difficulties for social housing projects; the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to prepare for the 2nd Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Festival and the Spring Flower Street 2026.

Dong Thap's biggest advantage is its geographical location. With an area of nearly 6,000 km2 and a population of more than 4.2 million, the province is located at the headwaters of the Tien River, stretching out to the East Sea and sharing a border with Cambodia. Thanks to that, Dong Thap is conveniently connected to the highway system, national highways and especially the waterway network, forming a multi-dimensional trade network, facilitating connections between Dong Thap Muoi, Go Cong sea area and neighboring areas.

In recent years, Dong Thap has coordinated the implementation of a series of key infrastructure projects. Many national projects such as Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway, My Thuan 2 Bridge, My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway Phase I, Rach Mieu 2 Bridge or Cho Gao Canal Phase II have been put into operation. At the same time, the province is actively coordinating to promote new projects such as Cao Lanh - An Huu Expressway, upgrading Cao Lanh - Lo Te route, National Highway 30, and projects to raise bridge clearance on national waterways. These projects promise to shorten travel time, increase freight transport capacity and create momentum for regional connectivity.

In particular, the Cao Lanh - An Huu expressway is identified as a strategic project belonging to the Hong Ngu - Tra Vinh connecting axis. This route not only solves local traffic needs but also creates connections with other expressways such as My An - Cao Lanh, Cao Lanh - Lo Te or Trung Luong - My Thuan - Can Tho - Ca Mau. When completed, Dong Thap will own a complete vertical and horizontal traffic system, becoming an important hub connecting Ho Chi Minh City, international seaports and key economic centers in the South.

By 2030, Dong Thap will not only continue to be the gateway to the Mekong Delta, but also aim to become a service, logistics and digital economic center for the entire region. Provincial Party Secretary Le Quoc Phong said that the Provincial Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term will focus on rapid industrial development, building a modern, ecological agriculture; improving people's quality of life, while ensuring national defense and security. This will be the foundation for Dong Thap to become a new growth pole, ready to reach out to the ocean.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/dong-thap-khang-dinh-vai-tro-cua-ngo-chien-luoc-vung-dong-bang-song-cuu-long-d403162.html