National Assembly Standing Committee approves principles for establishing Dong Nai City under central governance, aiming to boost local growth

On the afternoon of April 14, continuing the agenda of the First Session, the National Assembly Standing Committee considered and approved a resolution on establishing 10 wards in Dong Nai province; it also commented on establishing Dong Nai City (centrally administered). At the same time, it approved principles for establishing the Dong Nai City People’s Court and the Dong Nai City People’s Procuracy. According to Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh, converting communes into wards aims to implement the Party Central Committee and Politburo policy of building Dong Nai City on the basis of maintaining the current provincial status. Accordingly, to ensure the ward ratio meets the standard when becoming a centrally administered city, converting 10 communes into wards is necessary. Upon examination, the National Assembly's agencies determined that all criteria and conditions for the 10 administrative units are met; the dossiers are solid, compliant, and have solicited public opinions as required. Regarding the Dong Nai City project (centrally administered), the Vice Chairman proposed that Standing Committee members provide feedback on the dossier submitted to the National Assembly, including the content allowing the Government to recognize a Class I urban area before the master plan is completed. The Government has tasked the Ministry of Construction to coordinate with the locality to complete the master plan by April 30, 2026. The Chief of the Economic and Financial Committee Phan Van Mai stated strong agreement with the proposals; he said the establishment of Dong Nai City has sufficient political, legal and practical basis. He added that becoming a centrally administered city will open up new development space and create strong growth momentum for the locality. On urban criteria, Phan Van Mai supported the establishment of 10 wards as they meet the criteria; for Class I urban criteria, he suggested applying current regulations in special cases, and called on the government and locality to develop concrete plans to complete the remaining criteria. The Chief of the National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, Lieutenant General Le Tan Toi emphasized that Dong Nai has a strategically important position for national defense, security and external affairs. This is a region that concentrates many development factors, including major projects and large industrial zones. According to Le Tan Toi, Dong Nai has long played an important role militarily and economically, being one of the region's major industrial centers. The province has also been the first in the country to complete the rural development program across the province. These factors show that Dong Nai possesses full conditions to become a centrally administered city. Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Do Van Chien praised the Government’s proposal; he affirmed that after expanding development space, Dong Nai will hold a higher strategic position in politics, economy, defense and security. During the implementation of the project, it is necessary to uphold the Politburo's requirements, especially ensuring national defense and security; developing harmony among regions, ethnic groups and religions; and building a concrete action program aligned with long-term planning to milestones in 2045 and 2065. At the meeting, the Standing Committee approved in principle the contents: establishing 10 wards in Dong Nai province; establishing Dong Nai City under central administration; establishing the Dong Nai City People’s Court and the Dong Nai City People’s Procuracy. Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh urged completing the dossier for submission to the National Assembly no later than April 16, 2026. The resolutions are expected to take effect from April 30, 2026. Regarding safeguarding the rights of citizens and enterprises, the Vice Chairman noted that existing documents remain in force if not yet converted. If conversion is necessary, Dong Nai province will bear the costs, to facilitate maximum convenience for residents and organizations.