Traffic connection: "Opening way" for dynamic region No. 1 Dong Nai (Part 3)

Connecting infrastructure to create development

Dong Nai is in the process of adjusting the Provincial Planning to suit the 2-level local government model and the role of a regional center. In the adjusted planning, transportation is not only a technical infrastructure but also a strategic lever to restructure the development space, creating an economic - urban - service value chain.

Vo Nguyen Giap route through Phuoc Tan ward, Dong Nai province will be directly connected with Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway and National Highway 51 elevated road.

Connecting transport infrastructure is the foundation for realizing the vision of Dong Nai developing green, modern, and deeply integrating into regional and international networks.

Developing synchronous and modern infrastructure

Dong Nai is urgently clearing traffic infrastructure “bottlenecks” to achieve the “dual” goal: effectively exploiting advantages to create a boost for socio-economic development and building synchronous and modern infrastructure. The areas the province prioritizes to focus on investing in connecting infrastructure are industrial parks, urban areas, seaports and airports. At the same time, investing in and upgrading provincial roads and internal roads to effectively exploit existing and upcoming expressways and beltways, increasing connectivity between major projects such as Ring Road 3, Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Expressway, and bridges connecting Ho Chi Minh City.

The Provincial National Assembly Delegation supervises the planning and land use work at the urban area project about to be implemented in Tran Bien ward.

The province also coordinates the implementation of transport infrastructure and logistics projects according to the Southern Key Economic Zone Planning.

According to the Provincial People's Committee, there are currently 13 projects to build roads connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Dong Nai being invested in, of which 7 routes are under construction in the two provinces, 5 routes are under construction in Ho Chi Minh City and 1 route is under construction in Dong Nai.

Regarding railways, the current planning includes 5 connecting routes between 2 localities (2 urban railways and 3 national routes) and 45 road connection locations (14 existing routes, 13 routes under investment and 18 routes already in the planning). Typical projects include the extension of the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line to the Dong Nai Provincial Administrative Center and Long Thanh International Airport; the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau railway line; the railway line connecting Tan Son Nhat Airport with Long Thanh Airport.

Ecological urban area in Long Hung ward, Dong Nai province

Inland waterways have been exploited but not very effectively.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Dong Nai Province Vu Hong Van said: Synchronizing traffic connection with Ho Chi Minh City is a solution for the two localities to develop together. It is necessary to soon research and implement more traffic projects in addition to the three existing connection methods (road, rail, water) such as high-speed railway, connecting bridges... to meet travel needs, reduce travel time, especially shorten the distance between Tan Son Nhat airport and Long Thanh airport.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang said that after the merger, Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai both have great potential and advantages for development. The two localities need to frankly acknowledge the current difficulties and work together to resolve them for the common development of the locality and the region.

Forming an urban - industrial - logistics chain

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Tan Duc inspected the Ring Road 3 project - Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Pham Tung

As a dynamic development axis, fully converging traffic, industrial, urban, service and ecological factors, the southern Dong Nai area is oriented to form a long-term urban - industrial - logistics strip.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Construction Planning, Dong Nai's connectivity strategy needs to focus on three levels: intra-provincial, inter-regional and international. At the intra-provincial level, it is necessary to link key urban areas and economic zones along the North-South axis, forming a complete transport network. At the inter-regional level, it is necessary to strengthen links with Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Dong, develop urban-industrial chains from the delta to the highlands, helping Dong Nai promote its role as a traffic hub, attract investment, and share economic functions with major cities. At the international level, the Long Thanh International Airport project is the core, helping this place become an important aviation transit center of the region. Multi-modal connectivity from aviation, maritime to international roads at three levels will help Dong Nai deeply integrate into regional and global value chains, creating momentum for sustainable development.

Meanwhile, the research team of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics commented that Dong Nai's spatial development strategy should focus on building a dynamic economic zone, organizing a strategic economic axis, zoning specific development zones, completing connecting infrastructure and designing ecological urban areas along the river. Thereby, positioning Dong Nai as an international logistics, industrial and service center and becoming a sustainable "Smart Region", balancing between economy, society and environment.

Dong Nai is promoting the development of a synchronous and intelligent transport system, aiming at the goal of effective regional connectivity. The province applies digital technology in traffic management and operation and logistics to optimize the flow of goods, reduce congestion and increase connectivity.
At the same time, orienting investment in modern public transport routes such as metro, rapid buses, light rail... directly connecting urban areas, seaports and Long Thanh airport, creating momentum for urban space development and regional economy.

Clear the way for the dynamic zone to break out

Ecological urban area project in Tan Van islet, Bien Hoa ward

In the process of adjusting the Provincial Planning, Dong Nai places traffic infrastructure in an organic relationship with urban, industrial, residential and public service planning, ensuring synchronous, effective and sustainable development.

The consistent viewpoint is to put people at the center, investing in infrastructure not only to serve convenient travel, but also to improve the quality of life and access to social services. Limited areas will receive synchronous investment in both technical and social infrastructure. The province aims to build a green, modern, environmentally friendly transport system, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and opening a "path" for the dynamic region to break through.

Many experts, when giving comments on adjusting the Dong Nai Provincial Planning, have the view that the province's synchronous investment in transport infrastructure is like opening a "runway" for breakthrough development. When the highways, beltways, and river bridges are completed, Dong Nai will become a strategic connection center between Ho Chi Minh City and the Central Highlands provinces. When the roads are opened to industrial parks, urban areas, seaports, and airports, investment efficiency will be maximized; the province will have more space for new development, promoting economic restructuring in a green and modern direction.

It can be said that traffic connection is the "key" to open the door to comprehensive economic, urban, social and human development. When this problem is solved synchronously, the South of Dong Nai will become a strategic growth area, a dynamic urban area of the province and the Southeast region. This is the foundation to realize the vision of Dong Nai developing green, modern, deeply integrated into regional and international networks. In particular, Phuoc Tan and Long Hung wards with many urban projects that have completed legal procedures and internal infrastructure, are expected to become a new urban center with outstanding development potential.

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202510/ket-noi-giao-thong-loi-mo-cho-vung-dong-luc-so-1-dong-nai-ky-3-ce30942/