Bringing the city closer to the river.

Around the world, many cities have successfully developed urban areas oriented towards rivers, transforming the river into a central landscape axis and a sustainable economic driver. Dong Nai, with its natural advantages and aspiration to create a high-quality living space, has identified the riverside economic corridor as one of its key strategic directions for the 2025-2030 period.

The riverside ecological urban area project in Bien Hoa ward, Dong Nai province. Photo: Provided by the project team.

Expanding the urban area towards the river helps reduce pressure on the inner city while creating room for sustainable development in commerce and tourism ; at the same time, it shapes the image of a modern city for the province.

Opening up new spaces alongside the old river.

Dong Nai is blessed with the beautiful and picturesque Dong Nai River. It is the longest inland river in the country, with nearly half of its length flowing through the province. The Dong Nai River plays a special role in history, culture, and economics , closely linked to the formation and development of the Bien Hoa - Dong Nai region.

In fact, for decades, the province's urban areas have primarily developed along national highways or spread out in areas with transportation advantages. Despite possessing approximately 260km of the Dong Nai River flowing through it, the scenic potential of its banks has not been exploited to its full potential. Except for a few real estate projects, riverside parks, and embankments, the majority of the riverfront remains abandoned or used as construction material docks and warehouses.

Currently, the province has many reasons to expand its urban area along the river. Firstly, the rapid pace of urbanization and the increase in population due to migration are making the inner city increasingly crowded, and improving the quality of life is very difficult. Secondly, the area along the Dong Nai River still has large, open spaces and advantages in terms of landscape, historical and cultural relics. As the quality of life improves, the demand for living in green urban areas with open spaces and close to nature is becoming a preferred choice for many people.

Dr. Tran Du Lich, a member of the National Monetary Policy Advisory Council and a member of the Socio-Economic Advisory Group of Dong Nai province, once shared: "Not every locality has a large river embracing its urban center like Dong Nai. This is a special advantage that the province needs to utilize to develop eco-cities, promote tourism, and create a new urban brand. Of course, realizing this goal requires systematic planning, sufficient resources, and strong determination in implementation."

In the Dong Nai Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the riverside economic corridor is identified as one of the three strategic corridors, playing the most important role in the province's development. It serves as both an economic and international transportation corridor, as well as a landscape axis to shape urban and rural spaces.

Many urban planning and architecture experts share the view that the Dong Nai River has great potential in terms of ecology, culture, history, and riverside urban development. If exploited properly, this area will contribute significantly to the province's development, especially in the economy, tourism, and transportation. Furthermore, this development direction will help reduce population pressure in central wards such as Tran Bien, Tam Hiep, and Long Binh.

Urban development projects that "pave the way" to the river.

Currently, along the Dong Nai River, several green and modern urban areas have been formed. Although not yet seamlessly connected, these are the first building blocks of the riverside urban axis, projects that "pave the way" for urban development to connect with the river. Examples include: Aqua City (Long Hung ward), Kim Quy Island (Bien Hoa ward), SwanBay (Dai Phuoc commune), etc.

In addition, many projects are underway or being prepared for implementation. A prime example is the Hiep Hoa Eco-Urban Area, spanning over 290 hectares, envisioned as an urban space harmoniously blending traditional and modern values, while simultaneously reviving the brand of "Pho Island," once one of the busiest trading ports in Southern Vietnam. Once infrastructure connections are completed, this island will become a new service and cultural center for the Tran Bien region.

Another large-scale project is the commercial and service urban area in Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park, which will be developed after relocation. Provincial Party Committee member and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Ha stated that relocating the industrial park not only solves the pollution problem but also opens up hundreds of hectares of land along the river. This is a golden opportunity to develop urban spaces, parks, squares, and form a new political and administrative center for the province.

“This is a modern green city reborn from an old industrial zone. A transformation that no other locality in the country has achieved to date, demonstrating Dong Nai's strong determination in its goal of green growth and sustainable development, exploiting the riverside corridor,” said Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Ha.

Although some projects have been planned and others are underway, considering the entire stretch of the Dong Nai River from upstream to downstream, there is still a vast amount of riverside land available. If developed comprehensively along with riverside roads, parks, and eco-urban areas, the province will have a continuous chain of urban areas, creating new attractions for tourism, services, and real estate investment.

According to Mr. Duong Van Bac, General Director of Novaland Group, the advantage of its vast waterfront and regional connectivity has helped the company shape Aqua City into a large ecological urban area along the Dong Nai River. Within the urban area's 1,000-hectare land area, 70% is dedicated to green spaces, transportation, and public amenities. Furthermore, with the advantage of 32km of surrounding riverbank, all subdivisions are designed to open up to the waterfront, creating a healthy living environment, truly an ecological urban area.

In the province's strategic plans and projects, the Dong Nai River is one of the important economic corridors for creating new land reserves, developing green spaces, and reshaping urban areas.

To develop riverside urban chains sustainably, the province requires projects to be implemented in accordance with the approved plan, ensuring the building density adheres to the approved scheme. The implementation and operation process must include solutions to protect water sources, avoid encroaching on waterways, and prevent landslides or pollution.

Urban development along the river is a strategic step for Dong Nai to expand its development space, create urban identity, exploit natural values, and promote tourism. Exploiting this economic corridor also provides an opportunity for the province to position itself on the map of modern, green, and livable cities. This, in turn, creates an advantage in attracting high-quality investment projects.

Hoang Loc

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202512/dua-do-thi-tien-ra-song-b09089d/