Official: From April 30, Dong Nai Will Become Vietnam’s 7th Centrally Governed City

On the morning of April 24, 2026, at the First Session of the 16th National Assembly, with 478 out of 487 deputies voting in favor, the National Assembly officially passed the Resolution establishing Dong Nai City.

According to the Resolution, Dong Nai City will be established based on the entire natural area and population of Dong Nai Province. The new city will border Ho Chi Minh City, Lam Dong Province, Tay Ninh Province, and the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Resolution will take effect on April 30, 2026.

The Government, the People’s Council and People’s Committee of Dong Nai Province (which will become the People’s Council and People’s Committee of Dong Nai City once the Resolution takes effect), along with relevant agencies and organizations, are responsible for implementing the Resolution; reorganizing and consolidating the local administrative apparatus in accordance with regulations; stabilizing people’s livelihoods; and ensuring socio-economic development, national defense, and security in the area.

Agencies, organizations, and units whose names are associated with Dong Nai Province will be renamed to reflect Dong Nai City from the effective date of the Resolution. Documents and papers issued before the Resolution takes effect that remain valid or within their usage period will continue to be used in accordance with the law until expiration or until amended, supplemented, replaced, repealed, annulled, or withdrawn by competent authorities.

From the date the Resolution takes effect, in addition to the mechanisms and policies applicable to centrally governed cities, the special mechanisms and policies currently applied to Dong Nai Province will continue to be implemented in Dong Nai City until the end of their designated period or until otherwise decided by competent authorities.

Before lawmakers cast their votes, the Government’s report confirmed that Dong Nai met all 5 out of 5 conditions required for establishing a centrally governed city.

Following its establishment, Dong Nai is expected to develop into Vietnam’s pioneering model for a high-tech and sustainable industrial economy.

This model will focus on green and advanced manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, and strengthen Dong Nai’s role as an international logistics gateway.

A coordinated set of solutions—including regional connectivity, technology transfer, logistics hubs, training centers, and high-quality workforce supply for Southern Vietnam—is expected to provide a solid foundation, reinforcing Dong Nai’s role in driving regional socio-economic development and creating a mutually supportive urban network with the Ho Chi Minh City mega-metropolis.

Dong Nai City is expected to have 95 commune-level administrative units, including 33 wards and 62 communes, with 10 wards comprising: Long Thanh, Nhon Trach, Trang Bom, Xuan Loc, Dau Giay, Tan Phu, Tri An, Dong Phu, Tan Khai, and Loc Ninh, established based on the current natural area and population of the communes of the same names.

Following the merger, Dong Nai is currently Vietnam’s largest provincial economy (excluding centrally governed cities). In 2025, the province’s GRDP reached VND 677.932 trillion, ranking 4th nationwide, behind only Hai Phong, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. Budget revenue exceeded VND 102 trillion, GRDP per capita reached VND 150.86 million, contributing around 5% of national GDP.

With the Resolution passed, Dong Nai becomes Vietnam’s 7th centrally governed city, joining Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Hue.