Cuba to provide key support to Đồng Nai as it prepares to become Vietnam's seventh centrally administered city

Cuba seeks to provide key support to Đồng Nai as it prepares to become Vietnam's seventh centrally administered city. On the morning of April 16, the Vice Secretary of the provincial party committee and Chairman of Đồng Nai province, Nguyễn Văn Út, received a delegation from the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam led by Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, the Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam. During the meeting, Ambassador Polanco Fuentes expressed Cuba's desire for Đồng Nai to assist Cuba in promoting and inviting Đồng Nai's enterprises to cooperate and invest in Cuba in areas such as food production, renewable energy transformation, pharmaceuticals, and digital transformation. He also stated that Cuba is ready to assist Đồng Nai in training human resources, with scholarships for Vietnamese students to study in Cuba. The ambassador noted that Cuba has a pool of high‑quality labor that could work on projects or plants if Đồng Nai's enterprises have demand. Đồng Nai is preparing to shift governance from a province to a city. The Chairman said Đồng Nai is the country’s largest industrial hub and has the fourth-largest economy. The province is developing across multiple sectors including industry, high‑tech, logistics, urban development, commerce, services, and high‑tech agriculture and a border economy. In particular, Đồng Nai is preparing to convert its governance model from province to city. Regardless of status, Đồng Nai remains ready to welcome guests. The ambassador stated that Cuba is ready to support Đồng Nai in training human resources and providing scholarships for Vietnamese students to study in Cuba. To strengthen traditional solidarity and friendship between the two nations, the Chairman asked the Department of Internal Affairs to review and expedite the establishment of the Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Association in Đồng Nai. He also urged reviewing and elevating relations between Đồng Nai and Cuban localities. For investment promotion among localities, the Chairman agreed and will direct connections and cooperation with Cuban localities to strengthen solidarity and friendship among the parties. Đồng Nai is about to become Vietnam's seventh centrally administered city. Đồng Nai is seen as the gateway into the southern economic region — the most dynamic economic area of the country. It has a comprehensive transport infrastructure with five modes (road, aviation, rail, seaport, and inland waterway). Notably, the Long Thành International Airport project is set to commence commercial operation in Q2 2026. Additionally, Đồng Nai has Phước An Port and 10 expressways that are either completed, under construction, or planned.