DONG NAI MAKES ITS MARK AT ASEAN CONFERENCE 2026: A VISION FOR AIRPORT-CENTRIC URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND A LAUNCHPAD FOR GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY

Over the past decade, the ASEAN Conference has served as a launchpad for partnerships and ideas that strengthen the region. With Singapore poised to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027 and against a rapidly evolving economic landscape, this pivotal gathering reflects a shared commitment to transforming global complexity into regional opportunity through innovation, collaboration, and collective resilience.

DONG NAI DELEGATION ENGAGES AT ASEAN CONFERENCE 2026

Within the conference framework, a delegation from Dong Nai City, led by Mr. Vu Ngoc Long — Member of the City Party Committee and Director of the Dong Nai City Department of Industry and Trade — participated in the ASEAN Conference 2026 from July 30–31, 2026.

On the morning of July 31, 2026, the Dong Nai delegation, in partnership with the SBF and United Overseas Bank (UOB) Singapore, convened an investment promotion meeting with potential investors. The session brought together a diverse group of investors specializing in infrastructure development, industry, renewable energy, electricity, trade, transportation - logistics, and financial services.

DELEGATION HOSTS DEDICATED SESSION: “DONG NAI — POTENTIAL AND OPPORTUNITIES”

On the afternoon of July 31, the Dong Nai delegation participated in the session titled “Spotlight on Vietnam’s Growth Journey and Opportunities” at the ASEAN Conference 2026. The session drew over 100 business representatives, reflecting keen interest in the development prospects and potential of Dong Nai City, with particular emphasis on the Long Thanh International Airport project.

The high level of participation underscored the growing international recognition of Dong Nai as a premier investment destination. A significant highlight of the session was the presentation by Mr. Vu Ngoc Long, who shared the city’s strategic vision with the assembled business community.

RESOLUTION NO. 16-NQ/TW: A HISTORIC INSTITUTIONAL MILESTONE

One of the most significant announcements made by the Dong Nai leadership during the forum was Resolution No. 16-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo on July 21, 2026, concerning the development of Dong Nai City through 2035, with a vision to 2065. This represents a historic institutional milestone, providing a robust political foundation and unlocking exceptional, differentiated resource mobilization mechanisms for the locality. The Resolution positions Dong Nai as a nationally significant growth pole with enhanced autonomy and strategic development authority.

A STRATEGIC DESTINATION FOR FDI AND SINGAPOREAN PARTNERSHIPS

Dong Nai currently affirms its position as a premier growth hub within the Southeast Region and nationally. The city ranks among Vietnam’s leading localities in foreign direct investment attraction, with over 2,200 active FDI projects totaling more than USD 45 billion in registered capital, while maintaining an average export turnover of approximately USD 2.9 billion per month.

Singapore continues to hold its position as Dong Nai’s foremost strategic investment partner, with over 200 projects and total investment exceeding USD 5.3 billion, concentrated in infrastructure, electronics, logistics, and processing industry sectors. This enduring partnership reflects the mutual confidence and shared growth aspirations between Singaporean enterprises and Dong Nai.

FOUR STRATEGIC COOPERATION PILLARS ANNOUNCED

To realize the vision of a globally connected city, Dong Nai invites deepened cooperation from ASEAN governments, financial institutions, and multinational corporations across four primary pillars:

1. Long Thanh Aviation Ecosystem & Strategic Infrastructure Development
Positioning Long Thanh International Airport as an international transit hub and global supply chain node. Dong Nai prioritizes multimodal infrastructure connectivity (rail, metro, Cai Mep Ha, Phuoc An, and Can Gio seaports), alongside the development of a duty-free zone, aviation financial services, and aerospace technology. This ecosystem is designed to capitalize on the airport’s strategic location and catalyze downstream economic activities.

2. Institutional Breakthroughs & Special Investment Mechanisms
Implementing comprehensive decentralization and delegation of authority; studying the establishment of a Special Economic Zone, Free Trade Zone (FTZ), and a concentrated digital technology hub linked to the airport-city model. Adoption of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles to capture land value uplift along major transport corridors, ensuring sustainable revenue streams for infrastructure reinvestment.

3. New Growth Model Driven by Technology & Green Transition
Prioritizing capital flows into high-impact sectors including semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, cloud computing, biotechnology, and clean energy. This strategic focus aligns with global trends toward digitalization and decarbonization, positioning Dong Nai at the forefront of the next industrial revolution.

4. Harmonious, People-Centered Development
Accelerating energy transition, protecting the Dong Nai river system, building livable urban spaces, and establishing robust linkages between universities, research institutes, and enterprises for high-quality workforce development. This holistic approach ensures that economic growth translates into improved quality of life and social well-being.

CLOSING REMARKS: A CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP

Concluding its engagement at the ASEAN Business Conference 2026, the Dong Nai delegation identified three critical challenges for the city’s development trajectory: governance of a green airport-city model, sustainable long-term capital mobilization, and building an adaptive value chain within the regional context. Simultaneously, the delegation opened a cascade of tangible cooperation opportunities for the ASEAN business community.

“Dong Nai is not merely inviting investment into individual projects; we aspire to build comprehensive economic ecosystems in partnership with strategic allies,” affirmed the city leadership representative. With a solid launchpad provided by Resolution No. 16-NQ/TW and a proactive integration mindset, Dong Nai is asserting its position as a strategic connectivity node, ready to partner with international investors in shaping a prosperous and sustainable future.