Determined to Promptly Realize the Goal of Building Dong Thap into a Rapidly Developing, Comprehensive, and Sustainable Province (*)
(DTO) – Dong Thap Newspaper respectfully introduces the full text of the remarks delivered by Mr. Ngo Chi Cuong, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, at the ceremony marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the new Dong Thap Province.
one year after its re-establishment.
Today, in a warm and meaningful atmosphere, the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee is holding a ceremony to commemorate the first anniversary of the establishment of the new Dong Thap Province (July 1, 2025 – July 1, 2026). This is not only an opportunity to look back on the province's initial journey following the merger but also an occasion to reaffirm our determination to build Dong Thap into a province that develops rapidly and sustainably.
On behalf of the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee, I would like to extend my warmest welcome, sincere greetings, and best wishes to current and former leaders of the Party and the State, provincial leaders throughout different periods, and all distinguished delegates.
Pursuant to Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15 dated June 12, 2025 of the National Assembly on the arrangement of provincial-level administrative units and Resolution No. 1663/NQ-UBTVQH15 dated June 16, 2025 of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the arrangement of commune-level administrative units in Dong Thap Province in 2025, the new Dong Thap Province was officially established on July 1, 2025 through the merger of Tien Giang and Dong Thap provinces. This historic decision has opened up a new development space, creating favorable conditions to fully tap the potential and advantages of a land stretching along the Tien River—a region steeped in revolutionary traditions, rich cultural heritage, and a fierce drive for development.
Today's Dong Thap is not merely the merger of administrative boundaries, but the convergence and synergy of the historical, cultural, and revolutionary values, as well as the human capital and development potential of two localities.
With a natural area of nearly 6,000 square kilometers and a population of more than 4.3 million, Dong Thap is strategically positioned to become a vital growth pole of the Mekong Delta. Stretching from the Cambodian border to the East Sea, encompassing its distinctive wetland ecosystems to dynamic urban, industrial, commercial, and service centers, the province now possesses a new, expansive development space with significant competitive advantages and substantial growth potential.
In the early days following its establishment, alongside tremendous opportunities, the province also faced numerous challenges, particularly in consolidating the new organizational apparatus while maintaining socio-economic growth. Guided by the spirit of "One Vision – One Will – One Confidence," the Party Apparatus, government, armed forces, and people of Dong Thap transformed challenges into opportunities and achieved highly encouraging results.
The restructuring of the organizational apparatus was carried out in a serious and scientific manner, ensuring stability and smooth operations. The two-tier local government model has operated with considerable flexibility and effectiveness, achieving its initial objective of building a government of the people, close to the people, and responsive to the people, promptly addressing the concerns of citizens and businesses. At the same time, it is undergoing a strong transformation toward a government of innovation and action, creating breakthroughs in socio-economic development.
The province has maintained positive socio-economic growth. Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in the first six months of 2026 expanded by more than 7.11% year-on-year. Export turnover in the first half reached nearly 50% of the annual target, while the trade surplus exceeded US$2 billion. State budget revenue approached VND 14 trillion, and the number of newly established enterprises in the first half of 2026 surged by more than 140% compared with the same period last year, reflecting the attractiveness of the province's new investment environment and growing market confidence. Agricultural production remained stable, while industry, trade, and services continued to recover and expand. Investment attraction produced encouraging results, tourism recorded strong momentum with visitor arrivals increasing by 16% year-on-year, cultural and social sectors continued to advance, social welfare policies were effectively implemented, and national defense and security remained firmly safeguarded.
More importantly, the province has earned the consensus of its people, the unity of the entire political system, and the confidence of the business community in Dong Thap's development prospects. These are the greatest achievements and the most crucial resources for the province as it continues to forge ahead.
On behalf of the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee, I would like to highly acknowledge, commend, and express my deep appreciation for the efforts and contributions of all cadres, Party members, civil servants, public employees, personnel of the armed forces, the business community, and the people of the province, who have stood united in overcoming difficulties and challenges throughout this meaningful first year.
Alongside these achievements, we must candidly acknowledge the limitations and challenges that require continued attention.
Governance capacity has yet to fully meet new development requirements. Digital infrastructure and logistics infrastructure remain limited. Linkages and synergies among the province's economic regions have not yet fully realized their potential. The quality of human resources and the competitiveness of the economy still fall short of the demands of the new stage of development.
Looking directly at these limitations and challenges is not a reason to hesitate or retreat, but to strengthen our determination to innovate more boldly, act more decisively, and pursue faster and more sustainable development in the years ahead.
The First Congress of the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term has set the goal of making Dong Thap, by 2030, a province with rapidly developing industry, a pioneer in building ecological agriculture, a modern countryside, and a civilized peasantry, while becoming one of the leading localities in the Mekong Delta. By 2045, the province aims to become a regional centre for modern agriculture and eco-tourism in the Mekong Delta, a national leader in several agricultural sectors, and a highly livable place where people enjoy prosperity and happiness.
To realize these goals, the province has identified five strategic breakthroughs: (1) developing modern transport and logistics infrastructure; (2) promoting ecological, high-tech, and multi-value agriculture; (3) accelerating the development of the processing industry in association with raw material areas; (4) elevating the quality of human resources; and (5) advancing digital government, the digital economy, and the digital society.
To this end, the province is accelerating key infrastructure projects, major transport corridors, and the development of new industrial parks and industrial clusters. Particular priority is being given to the strategic project of diverting fresh water to the Go Cong area, which is expected to create a new economic zone centred on industry, urban development, tourism, and the marine economy, thereby forming a new, fast-growing and sustainable growth pole in line with the Party's and the State's policy of achieving double-digit economic growth.
These strategic breakthroughs will only achieve their full significance if they are implemented within a sustainable development model that places people at its centre, with development guided by the principles of "Green – Smart – Innovative – Culturally Rich." Building a "Green Dong Thap" means pursuing development in harmony with nature without sacrificing the environment for economic growth. The province will shift decisively from agricultural production to an agricultural economy, while promoting ecological agriculture, circular agriculture, the green economy, and the circular economy, together with eco-tourism linked to the conservation of natural resources and traditional cultural values.
"Building a Smart Dong Thap" means shaping a digital future in which digital transformation serves as a new driver of development. The province will build a digital government that better serves the people and foster a digital economy that generates greater added value—through agriculture linked with deep processing and logistics, industry driven by technological innovation, and services enriched by experiential and cultural values.
Together, these efforts will create an integrated, intelligent, and adaptive development ecosystem that enhances labor productivity while building a digital society in which all people benefit from advances in science, technology, and innovation.
The development of green industry, together with the promotion of clean technologies, the circular economy, and renewable energy, will contribute to rapid and sustainable growth for future generations, while fostering industries with high technological content, high added value, and low carbon emissions.
"Building an Innovative Dong Thap" means vigorously rekindling a spirit of daring to think, daring to act, and daring to innovate throughout society. The province will continue promoting its signature initiatives, including dialogue forums with citizens and businesses, while fostering the start-up and innovation ecosystem and making science, technology, knowledge, and a shared desire to contribute the primary driving forces for development.
"Building a Culturally Rich Dong Thap" means preserving and promoting the noble values of the homeland and its people. We are committed to fostering comprehensively developed citizens with the defining qualities of patriotism, solidarity, gratitude, integrity, dynamism, and creativity. We must inspire love for our homeland through a love of work and a spirit of dedication to oneself, one's family, and society; foster a culture of lifelong learning; and regard personal development as a direct contribution to the development of our homeland. Culture is both the spiritual foundation and an important endogenous resource for sustainable development.
The first anniversary of the establishment of the province is an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far, reinforce confidence in what has been achieved, and clearly define our responsibilities for the road ahead. Dong Thap is entering a new stage of development and deeper international integration. To live up to the trust of the Party Central Committee and the expectations of the people, I call upon authorities at all levels, sectors, and the people of Dong Thap Province to focus on the following key tasks:
First, continue shifting from an administrative management mindset to one centred on governance and public service, while elevating leadership capacity. We must build a clean, strong, lean, effective, and efficient political system; further promote administrative reform, taking the satisfaction of citizens and businesses as the ultimate yardstick for evaluating performance; enhance the capacity of grassroots officials to perform their duties; and eradicate passive reliance on higher-level authorities.
Second, unlock the spatial development potential of the five socio-economic regions identified in the provincial master plan:
(1) The central corridor along the Tien River: The core area for urban development, industry, trade, services, and innovation.
(2) The border region: An international trade gateway, with the development of border-gate economic activities and road and inland waterway logistics along the Mekong River corridor.
(3) The socio-economic region south of the Tien River and north of the Hau River: A centre for processing industries, traditional craft villages, logistics, and transport services.
(4) The Plain of Reeds region: A centre for ecological and high-tech agriculture associated with the conservation of wetland ecosystems.
(5) The integrated marine economy region: Focused on industrial development, seaport services, tourism services, aquaculture, and the processing of brackish and saltwater aquaculture products.
Third, pursue economic development alongside social progress and equity. We must provide better care for the material and spiritual well-being of the people, especially policy-beneficiary families, poor households, and residents in remote areas. Ensure no child is left behind in education due to a shortage of schools or classrooms, and no citizen should be left without medical treatment when ill.
Fourth, uphold the values of the people of Dong Thap, guided by the core standards of "Patriotism, solidarity, integrity, self-reliance, diligence, cooperation, gratitude, dynamism, and creativity." We must ignite pride, determination, and a willingness to contribute among every Dong Thap native, wherever they may live.
The journey ahead remains long and challenging. However, with the achievements recorded over the past year, we are confident in a new chapter of development for Dong Thap Province. The responsibility of today's generation is to transform potential into momentum, confidence into action, and opportunities into tangible development outcomes.
Building Dong Thap into a province that is rapidly developing, sustainable, modern, and rich in cultural identity must not remain merely an aspiration. It requires the determined action of the Party apparatus, government, and people of the province to turn these goals into reality.
Guided by the motto "Solidarity – Democracy – Discipline – Breakthrough – Development," we firmly believe that the Party apparatus, authorities, people, and business community of Dong Thap will continue to uphold the province's revolutionary traditions, build on its achievements, unify in both thought and action, share a common determination and confidence in success, and work together to realise the goal of building Dong Thap into a province that develops rapidly, comprehensively, and sustainably.
On the occasion of the first anniversary of the establishment of Dong Thap Province, I would like to extend my best wishes for good health, happiness, and success to current and former provincial leaders and all distinguished delegates.
By NGO CHI CUONG
Member of the Party Central Committee
Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee Secretary
Dong Thap Provincial People's Council Chairman
(*) The headline was framed by Dong Thap Newspaper.
Translated by X.QUANG
