Dong Thap Breaks Through in Institutions – Infrastructure – Resources, Shaping a New Position in the Land of Nine Dragons

(DTO) The Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026 is approaching, bringing a renewed vitality to a distinctive historical period in the "Land of the Pink Lotus." The year 2025 concluded as a major milestone, marking the completion of Dong Thap’s administrative merger and the operational commencement of its streamlined two-tier local government.

Amidst lingering difficulties and challenges, the provincial Party Committee, government, and people have remained united and resilient, transforming obstacles into a driving force to maintain stability, expand the economy, and prepare a firm stance for the breakthrough journey ahead.

RESILIENCE IN ADVERSITY, ASSERTING STATURE 

The year 2025 was the first year Dong Thap operated within a new developmental space, expanded in both territorial boundaries and potential.

The province faced a "dual mission": focusing intensely on restructuring the organizational apparatus and stabilizing personnel post-merger, while simultaneously striving to achieve the province's socio-economic goals.

By adopting a decisive and effective action motto, the province's entire political system operated seamlessly. Notably, the consensus of the people and the business community was the key factor in navigating this transitional phase. 

Socio-economic results in 2025 continued to flourish; the economy expanded, elevating Dong Thap to a new position within the Mekong Delta. 

The economic structure shifted positively, reducing the reliance on pure agriculture and rapidly increasing the proportion of industry and high-quality services.

Against a challenging global backdrop, Dong Thap’s achievements are highly commendable. Exports emerged as an impressive highlight, successfully leveraging free trade agreements and market demands. Export turnover in 2025 surpassed $9.2 billion, far exceeding the initial plan. 

Key commodities-such as rice, processed seafood, and fruits -not only maintained traditional markets but also penetrated deeper into global supply chains.

Alongside effective production and business, domestic budget revenue reached over 22,000 billion VND, exceeding the central government’s estimates. This serves as a vital resource for the province to proactively reinvest in connective infrastructure and social welfare projects.

Investor confidence in the post-merger business environment continues to strengthen. Last year, the province welcomed nearly 2,800 newly established enterprises (well above the plan) and 450 returning businesses. 

Total social investment reached a high level, reflecting the attractiveness of the new developmental space to strategic investors. Social security was ensured, with the poverty rate dropping significantly to 0.7%, while the material and spiritual lives of the people steadily improved.

As we enter 2026-the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 1st Provincial Party Congress, Dong Thap has defined its action stance: "Acceleration and Efficiency." The province will focus on strategic breakthroughs in Institutions - Infrastructure - Resources to realize its developmental aspirations. 

Furthermore, the provincial administration will strictly adhere to the Government’s governing motto: "Discipline and Responsibility; Proactive Efficiency; Innovation and Creativity; Breakthrough Acceleration; Sustainable Growth".

BREAKTHROUGHS IN INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNANCE MODELS

The primary impetus stems from perfecting and optimizing the effectiveness of the two-tier local government model. Reducing intermediate administrative layers not only streamlines the apparatus but also brings the government closer to the people, ensuring faster and more efficient processing of public affairs.

In 2026, the province will focus on reviewing and perfecting operational regulations, promoting strong decentralization and delegation of authority, coupled with clarifying the accountability of leaders. 

The province aims to build an enabling and service-oriented administration, using the satisfaction of people and businesses as the ultimate measure of performance.

Digital transformation will be implemented drastically, migrating management, administration, and public service delivery to digital environments to ensure maximum transparency and convenience. An open and transparent institutional environment is the best catalyst for the development of enterprises and the private sector.

STRATEGIC BREAKTHROUGHS IN TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND INDUSTRY 

Following the merger, Dong Thap possesses a unique geo-economic advantage: a shared border, a gateway to the East Sea, and a position along the region’s vital transport arteries. To transform this potential into prosperity, the province has identified infrastructure development as a key breakthrough.

The province will maximize its resources and coordinate closely with the Central Government to accelerate strategic transport projects, including vertical and horizontal expressways, bridge systems spanning the Tien and Hau Rivers, and national highways passing through the area. 

This transport network is designed not only to facilitate travel but, more importantly, to establish economic corridors linking raw material regions with processing centers and logistics seaports.

In tandem, industrial infrastructure is identified as a growth lever. The province prioritizes completing the infrastructure of large-scale industrial parks in high-potential areas to welcome investment flows, particularly projects in deep processing, high technology, and renewable energy. Industry must truly become the engine driving the economy in this new era.

BREAKTHROUGHS IN HUMAN AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

The people of Dong Thap, known for their kindness, dynamism, and creativity, remain the most precious endogenous resource.

The province will continue to implement policies to enhance human resource quality, focusing on vocational training to meet the demands of new industrial parks and digital transformation trends.

Regarding the agricultural economy, the province aims to build ecological agriculture, modern rural areas, and civilized farmers. The core focus is the effective implementation of the "One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice" project associated with green growth, alongside developing circular and multi-valued economic models.

Dong Thap aims to move beyond raw exports toward high-value processed products that carry the brand and culture of the "Land of the Pink Lotus" to the world. At the same time, the province will effectively tap into the potential of border trade and signature tourism, positioning tourism as a key economic sector.

A new Spring is blooming across every path, from the border to the islands, and from urban centers to rural heartlands. 

With a new stature and strength, a tradition of solidarity, and an aspiration for progress, the Party Committee, government, and people of Dong Thap are determined to turn opportunities into reality. We strive to successfully achieve the goals set by the Resolution of the 1st Provincial Party Congress, building a homeland that is increasingly prosperous and happy.

 By P.V
Translated by X.QUANG