Historical trade figures reviewed on October 20
Đồng Tháp held an October 20 review of a 2017 resolution on border-area socioeconomic development, defence, security and external relations. The report put 2025 border imports and exports at more than $1.25 billion, about 15 times the 2017 level.
That figure belongs to 2025. It is not a completed 2026 annual total or trade conducted on the day of the meeting. The review also cited average annual border-trade growth of 24.1% over the period discussed.
Investment programmes in 2016-20 and 2021-25 supported roads, border-gate infrastructure, residential areas and public facilities across eight border communes. Dinh Bà and Thường Phước international border gates were highlighted alongside transport, warehousing and commercial services.
Living standards and future priorities
Average income in border communes and wards reached 64.5-76.6 million dong per person in 2025, more than twice the 2017 level. Poverty fell from 1.85% at the end of 2020 to 1.42% at the end of 2025. Nearly 42,000 workers received employment support in 2021-25. The report also recorded more than 1,600 workers going abroad under contract.
The review also described education and health progress, while six boarding-school projects remained under implementation. The 2026-30 direction prioritises border towns, gate economies and cooperation with Cambodian partners.
Provincial leaders called for faster resolution of business obstacles and support for formal trade. Those instructions concern future implementation and do not mean a new policy automatically took effect or new trade revenue was generated at the meeting.