Billion-dollar Urban Areas in Dong Nai

The Dong Nai Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DN-NRE) said that there are over 200 residential and urban projects being implemented in the province, mainly focused in Bien Hoa City and Nhon Trach and Long Thanh districts. Among them, there are more than 10 urban areas with an area of 100 – 700 hectares.

A modern urban area by Dong Nai River

In January 2024, the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee approved the preliminary assessment of the capacity and experience of the investor of the Hiep Hoa Urban Area project in Pho Island, Hiep Hoa Ward, Bien Hoa City. This project was granted investment approval by the provincial People’s Committee in March 2023 with an area of about 293 hectares and a population of 31,600 people.

The project aims to invest in the construction of a modern urban area, a new and modern service complex, harmonious with the natural landscape. At the same time, it aims to develop sustainable tourism with diversified types of housing, combined with commercial and service centers for tourism, public services, etc. The Hiep Hoa Urban Area project has a total investment capital of over VND 72,000 billion (nearly USD 3 billion), a 50-year operating period, and will be implemented in 12 years (2023-2035) in five component projects.

The Chairman of the Dong Nai Architects Association, Ly Thanh Phuong, believes that with its unique location, Pho Island being the focal point of Bien Hoa City is completely appropriate. This is clearly demonstrated in the district planning dossier, such as linking the development of Pho Island with the exploitation of existing cultural, historical, and landscape values. Planning green spaces to create green spaces for Bien Hoa City.

Not far away, the eco-economic open urban area Long Hung in Long Hung commune, Bien Hoa City has also been formed with projects such as Aqua City, Waterfront City… Long Hung urban area is called the “wonder of rivers and water” as most of the area is surrounded by the peaceful and romantic Dong Nai River. With a hybrid architecture that combines the traditional cultural values of rivers and streams with modern European style, impressive works such as the water square, marina, office buildings, shopping areas, entertainment areas; garden villas, townhouses have been formed.

Also surrounded by the Dong Nai River, Ong Con Islet in Dai Phuoc commune, Nhon Trach district, which used to be encroached by saltwater, without bridges, but thanks to the planning and transformation by humans, it has become the Dai Phuoc Ecotourism Urban Area with over 400 hectares of multi-functional land, including apartments, hotels, villas, resorts, entertainment facilities. Currently, Dai Phuoc Urban Area is considered the “pearl island” of the Nhon Trach – Dong Nai land.

Dong Nai is considered a land of promise, where many major real estate corporations such as Novaland, Dat Xanh, Kim Oanh, Hung Thinh… have invested from hundreds to thousands of billion dong into residential areas and urban areas.

Tight land, construction, and environmental management

The Director of the Dong Nai Department of Construction, Ho Van Ha, said that few provinces and cities have such long rivers, flat terrain, wide river surface, and gentle flow as the Dong Nai River in Bien Hoa City. These factors are favorable conditions for arranging architectural works and urban infrastructure along the river, developing ecological tourism.

In the provincial plan for the period of 2021 – 2030, with a vision to 2050, Dong Nai identifies the Dong Nai River as one of the six most important economic and social development corridors in the future. Therefore, the province will have a chain of urban areas along the river.

Mr. Ho Van Nam, Secretary of the Bien Hoa City Party Committee, said that the Dong Nai River passing through the city is a valuable asset for creating a river and water city. In this period of general construction planning, the city will maximize the advantages of green trees, water surfaces, cultural and historical values to create new development spaces, prosperous living environment for the people.

Secretary of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Linh emphasized several times that in the future, Dong Nai will be a livable land, the province needs more new urban areas from large investors. Properly implementing land, construction, environmental management, and effectively exploiting the advantages of land, geographical location, terrain, and human resources are solutions to have internationally-standardized urban areas with a quality of life and modern utilities.

According to Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Linh, new urban areas need to be carefully considered in terms of building density, height, in line with the surrounding space, and prioritize the relocation to empty land to relieve pressure on Bien Hoa City. Combining urban areas with restaurant complexes, hotels, resorts to meet the needs of eating, playing, and shopping when the number of international tourists increases, both domestic and foreign investors coming to the province is increasing, the demand for people’s living standards is getting higher.