7:11:41 PM | 8/7/2026
For many years, Dong Nai has been one of Vietnam's leading destinations for German investment in manufacturing and industry. Today, however, as the city embarks on a new stage of development, driven by the launch of Long Thanh International Airport, expanding transport infrastructure and an ambitious vision for high-tech and sustainable industries, the nature of the dialogue between local authorities and the German business community is evolving.
Rather than focusing solely on operational challenges, both sides are increasingly looking towards a broader objective: building a transparent, modern and sustainable investment environment while fostering a globally competitive industrial ecosystem.
This shared vision was at the heart of the Strategic Dialogue between the Dong Nai City People's Committee, the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Finance, and the German Business Association (GBA), which brought together city leaders, representatives from key government departments and agencies, and nearly 40 German companies operating across manufacturing, logistics, technology, finance and professional services.
Opening the dialogue, Mr. Nguyen Kim Long, Member of the Standing Committee of the Dong Nai City Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City People's Committee, emphasised that the event was more than an opportunity for information exchange. It was intended as an open and constructive dialogue where the city could better understand the challenges faced by businesses, listen to investors' needs and work together on practical solutions that could be implemented immediately after the meeting.
He reaffirmed that Dong Nai is shifting its investment strategy from prioritising quantity to attracting high-quality investment, with a focus on high-tech industries, supporting industries, logistics, digital transformation and green development. Backed by a 9.81% GRDP growth rate in the first half of 2026, together with the rapidly emerging infrastructure ecosystem surrounding Long Thanh International Airport, Dong Nai is positioning itself to become one of Southern Vietnam's leading industrial and logistics hubs.
Representing the German business community, Mr. Alexander Ziehe, Chairman of the German Business Association (GBA), noted that Dong Nai has long been a strategic investment destination for leading German companies, including Bosch, Bayer, Schaeffler, FRAMAS and Henkel.
However, he stressed that German businesses are looking beyond expanding manufacturing operations. They are committed to supporting Dong Nai's next stage of development by contributing advanced technologies, innovation, vocational training, knowledge transfer and sustainable business practices that strengthen the city's long-term competitiveness.
Mr. Ziehe also welcomed Dong Nai's recent administrative restructuring, expressing confidence that the city's new governance model will further enhance regulatory efficiency, improve the investment climate and create a stronger foundation for sustainable economic growth. As Dong Nai enters this new phase of development, he noted that the priorities of international investors are also evolving. Alongside administrative reforms, businesses are increasingly focused on industrial park planning, logistics connectivity, the Long Thanh Airport ecosystem, green transformation, digitalisation, skilled workforce development and stronger linkages between foreign-invested enterprises and Vietnamese suppliers.
These priorities were reflected in a comprehensive set of recommendations submitted by GBA to the city leadership. Significantly, many of the recommendations extended beyond addressing immediate operational issues, instead focusing on strengthening Dong Nai's long-term competitiveness by creating a stable, transparent and investment-friendly environment that meets the sustainability expectations of global companies.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Nguyen Kim Long delivered one of the dialogue's strongest messages, emphasising that the success of the meeting should not be measured by the number of recommendations raised, but by the number of issues effectively resolved afterwards. He instructed relevant departments to review each recommendation, assign clear responsibilities and implementation timelines, and proactively keep businesses informed of progress. He also reaffirmed that the satisfaction of enterprises should serve as a key benchmark for the quality of public administration and government services.
The dialogue highlighted a new stage in the relationship between Dong Nai and the German business community. German companies increasingly see Dong Nai not merely as an investment destination, but as a long-term development partner in building a modern, green and internationally competitive industrial ecosystem. Through continued open dialogue and close cooperation between government and business, both sides expressed confidence that this partnership will create new opportunities and contribute to Dong Nai's sustainable development in the years ahead.
Source: Vietnam Business Forum
