1. Geographical Location

Dong Thap province, formed after the arrangement by merging the entire natural area, administrative units, and population of Dong Thap and Tien Giang province, has a total natural area of 5,938.64 km² with a population size of 3,403,776, according to data from the Dong Thap Provincial Statistics Sector in 2025. This presents a historic chance to create a balanced, ambitious territorial area that responds to current concerns. These two territories have a strong agricultural identity, historic knowledge of natural resource management, and close geoeconomic positioning that allow for synergy of advantages.

The province's political-administrative headquarter is located in My Tho ward, facilitating exchanges with the Southeastern Region.

Post-merger Dong Thap serves as the gateway to the Mekong Delta region, with boundaries extending from the Cambodian border to the East Sea. After the arrangement, Dong Thap province has the following adjacent boundaries:

- North: Bordered by Tay Ninh province;

- Northeast: Bordered by Ho Chi Minh City;

- East: Bordered by the East Sea;

- South: Bordered by Vinh Long province and Can Tho city;

- West: Bordered by An Giang province;

- Northwest: Bordered by the Kingdom of Cambodia.

(Map of Administrative Units of Dong Thap province)

Geographical location of Dong Thap province

Dong Thap, with its favorable geographical location and regional connectivity, serves as a gateway between the Mekong Delta region and the Southeastern region, as well as a hub for agricultural transit, processing, and logistics along the Tien River axis connecting to Ho Chi Minh City.

On that basis, the province has favorable conditions to develop according to the model of "high-tech agriculture associated with deep processing, waterway logistics, eco-economy, and marine economy," with the goal of serving as a green food center and an inter-regional water-ecology-economic connectivity axis for the entire downstream region.

Dong Thap also serves as a spatial connection point between (i) the Mekong River development corridor and the Tien River sub-region, and (ii) the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho - Ca Mau linkage axis (by road and canal). This position enables the province to fulfilll its roles in regulating upstream freshwater, serving as a focal point for agricultural production and processing, and facilitating multi-directional trade through border gates in the Hong Ngu and Tan Hong areas that connect with Cambodia, while also improving connectivity to the East Sea via the Soai Rap navigation channel system and the port network of Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring areas.

2. Natural Conditions

Dong Thap has a wide range of natural circumstances after merger, from the low-lying Dong Thap Muoi area in the upper region to the Tien River's downstream area, the estuary region, and the Go Cong coastline area. The province has a complex network of rivers and canals, with the Tien River serving as the primary hydrological component, creating the groundwork for the growth of commercial agriculture, aquaculture, processing industries, and an inter-regional waterway logistics system.

The upper portion of Dong Thap Muoi is significant for water storage, flood regulation, and wetland ecosystem conservation, all of which contribute to water security and ecological balance in the downstream region. Meanwhile, the downstream space, estuary, and coastal areas provide opportunities for connecting to the East Sea via river mouths and navigation channels, as well as permitting marine economic development that is suited for local topography and coastal ecological characteristics.

However, the province has spatially distinct environmental and climate change issues. Saltwater intrusion and sea-level rise have an impact on coastal and estuarine environments. Meanwhile, the Go Cong freshwater region experiences water scarcity throughout the dry season, putting additional pressure on water demand for domestic consumption, production, and ecosystems. As a result, development strategies must prioritize integrated water resource management by subregion, adaptability enhancement, effective resource exploitation, and ecosystem conservation as the foundation for long-term growth.

3. Population

During the 2020-2025 period, the province's population grew slightly, from 3.373 million in 2020 to 3,403,776 in 2025. Although the rise was slight, population stability is a positive feature in determining socioeconomic development policies and guaranteeing social welfare.

Under Resolution No. 111/2025/UBTVQH15 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the entire Dong Thap province has 35 urban areas, including 06 Class-II urban areas (comprising 05 former cities and 01 former town) and 29 Class-III urban areas (comprising 17 former towns, 02 communes of An Huu and Vinh Kim, and 10 commune centers belonging to the former Dong Thap Province), with an urbanization rate reaching approximately 31.86%.

Overall, the urban population is somewhat expanding, while the rural population is declining, indicating a moderate rate of urbanization and out-migration tendencies from the province.

This suggests that the urban population gap in Dong Thap, as well as throughout the Mekong Delta, is expanding in comparison to the national average. The region's urban regions have not grown sufficiently to produce major economic value related to employment, resulting in widespread migration. Living conditions, urban utility quality, employment capacity, and human resource training quality remain inadequate, particularly for specialized skilled labor in Dong Thap Province and the Mekong Delta in general, resulting in brain drain and labor outflow. Furthermore, insufficient infrastructure investment and environmental deterioration reduce Dong Thap's competitive advantage relative to surrounding provinces, causing population and workforce loss.

Experts predict that migration issues in the Mekong Delta will persist due to non-traditional security impacts and challenges such as climate change (droughts, saltwater intrusion, sea-level rise, etc.); upstream hydropower dam construction (water depletion, loss of seasonal floods, etc.); production activities; and the Mekong Delta's living quality and environment.

4. Culture

Dong Thap is a province with a rich history that is connected with that of the Mekong Delta. It has a cultural and artistic legacy in which cultural collisions between ethnic groups have resulted in a distinct, unique cultural identity rich in humanist values.

The province is home to three major ethnic groups: Kinh (98%), the ethnic Chinese (Hoa), and the Khmer minority. Buddhism, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, and Catholicism are among the most common religious affiliations. These ethnic communities, with their unique customs and traditions, define the cultural identity of Southern Vietnam in general, and Dong Thap in particular.

Dong Thap Province's historical-cultural relics exhibit vital national and humanitarian values, having served as revolutionary grounds during two national liberation wars. These relics span from revolutionary historical sites to archeological sites, cultural-historical relics, and attractive landscapes, which constitute tour routes that combine with natural resources to generate compelling tourism goods. Notable among them are extraordinary national relics: the Tomb of Deputy Scholar Nguyen Sinh Sac, Ap Bac Victory Site, Truong Dinh Uprising Sites, Go Thap, and Rach Gam - Xoai Mut; as well as national relics: Xeo Quit, Kien An Cung Pagoda, Temple of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong, Tram Chim National Park, etc.

Furthermore, Dong Thap Province has a diverse inventory of intangible cultural treasures (including folk literature, performing arts, traditional festivals, crafts, and folk knowledge). Highlights include 10 heritage items inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List: Dong Thap Singing; Wooden Boat Building Craft in Long Hau commune; Mat Weaving Craft in Dinh An and Dinh Yen communes; Scarf Weaving Craft in Long Khanh commune; Lai Vung Fermented Pork (Nem) Making Craft; Sa Dec Rice Flour Making Craft; Truong Dinh Festival; Commemorative Festival of Thien Ho Duong and Doc Binh Kieu; Go Thap Festival; and Sa Dec Ornamental Flower Growing Craft. Notably, Southern Don Ca Tai Tu Art was recognized by UNESCO as a "Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" in 2013.

Prominent provincial festivals like Go Thap Festival, Commemorative Festival of Thien Ho Duong and Doc Binh Kieu, Commemorative Festival of Deputy Scholar Nguyen Sinh Sac, Commemorative Festival of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong, Commemorative Festival of Senior General Duke Tran Van Nang, Ky Yen–Vinh Binh Festival, Nghinh Ong Vam Lang Festival, Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village Cultural-Tourism Festival, Rach Gam–Xoai Mut Victory Festival, Memorial Ceremony for Martyrdom of National Hero Truong Dinh Huan, Quan Thanh De Quan Festival, Lotus Festival, Sa Dec Flower-Ornamental Festival, Catfish Festival, and so forth are all draw large numbers of National Hero. These festivals attract large numbers of ethnic Chinese residents from Go Cong, Ho Chi Minh City, and neighboring provinces.

5. Tourism Resources

The wetland ecology of Dong Thap Muoi, the Tien River orchards, and the coastal-estuary belt—which includes Go Cong ward and Go Cong Dong communes (Tan Thanh Beach), Tan Dien, Tan Hoa, Tan Dong, Gia Thuan, Tan Thoi, and Tan Phu Dong—all harmoniously coexist with post-merger Dong Thap's tourism resources. Investing in eco-experience models that are strongly linked to riverine and agricultural identities, the system of tourism zones and destinations creates a rich "product map" that is uncommon in the Mekong Delta. Combined with Thoi Son, Cai Be, Tan Thanh Beach, and Dong Thap Muoi Wetland Conservation and Eco-Tourism area, well-known brands like Tram Chim National Park, Gao Giong Eco-Tourism area, and Sa Dec Flower Village create a spatial chain that extends from the acid-sulfate wetland core to orchards, islets, and beaches, improving the province's destination status after the merger.

In terms of product structure, the province has created three primary product pillars: (i) "Eco-tourism – Sightseeing - Resort" that focuses on agricultural, wetland, and orchard ecosystems; (ii) "Riverine tourism – Sightseeing – Farming - Experience" that features seasonal itineraries, floating season activities, farm life experiences, and orchard visits; (iii) "Cultural – Historical – Spiritual - Meditation Relic Tourism" related to the triumphs of Ap Bac and Rach Gam - Xoai Mut, Truong Dinh relic system, Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village, Go Cong ancient dwellings, etc. In addition to inter-provincial connections with Vinh Long, Can Tho, Tay Ninh, and An Giang, a bilingual system of one- to three-day overland and waterway tour routes has been assembled. These routes connect Sa Dec ward, Hong Ngu ward, Tam Nong commune, Tram Chim commune, and Lap Vo commune with destination clusters on the Tien River, such as Thoi Son ward and Cai Be commune, and expand to coastal and estuary spaces in Go Cong ward and the recently mentioned coastal communes. This shows that in the riverine-orchard-ecological segment, tourism resources are not just "listed" but are actively converted into tangible, competitive products and itineraries.

In terms of cultural-historical resources, post-merger Dong Thap has a rich "heritage storehouse" that includes three exceptional national treasures, 36 national relics, and 236 provincial relics, in addition to historic homes and ancient villages that preserve Southern Vietnam's urban-rural memory and architectural worth. Rich intangible cultural heritage, such as Dong Thap Singing (Hò), Southern Don Ca Tai Tu, local riverine cuisine, and approximately 17 recognized intangible cultural heritage festivals (Commemorative Festival of Deputy Scholar Nguyen Sinh Sac, Go Thap Festival, Commemorative Festival of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong, Sa Dec Flower Festival, Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village Cultural-Tourism Festival, Truong Dinh Festival, Ky Yen, Tu Kiet Commemoration, etc. There is a great deal of potential for creating "experiential cultural tourism," prolonging visitor stays, and increasing spending by incorporating these heritage forms into tourist areas at important locations.

The system of agricultural and community-based tourism products is another highlight. Sa Dec Flower Village, Happy Land - Hung Thy, Viet Mekong Farmstay, Ao Nha, Tu Ca Linh Homestay, ECOFAM Farm, AQUA PONIC, and more than 115 other agricultural and community tourism destinations (homestays, farm stays, craft village tours, farm sites, etc.) exhibit a community-centric approach that leverages local livelihood strengths to produce goods. This is a "living" tourism resource that is intimately connected to new rural construction, creating jobs and presenting the new Dong Thap as a friendly, environmentally friendly area that emphasizes green agriculture and a circular economy.

In conclusion, Dong Thap province's tourism resources have advanced to a new level following the merger, with three overlapping value layers: (i) rich cultural life, festivals, cuisine, and community experiences that are easily transformed into visitor activities; (ii) deep historical, revolutionary, architectural, and ancient village heritage; and (iii) highly diverse wetland, riverine, orchard, and coastal ecology. This offers a strong basis for establishing the province as the Mekong Delta's premier eco-cultural tourism destination. Future stages must, however, continue improving service quality, coordinating access infrastructure, bolstering regional connectivity, and defining sub-brands (Tram Chim - Dong Thap Muoi; Sa Dec - Flower Village; Thoi Son - Cai Be - Island Orchards; Go Cong - Tan Thanh Beach, etc.) under a cohesive post-merger provincial brand strategy in order to be effectively exploited.