Ho Chi Minh City – A livable metropolis, poised in a new era

“New” Ho Chi Minh City will serve as a regional hub for finance, services, trade, logistics, high‑tech industry, and coastal tourism. Its development will be anchored in digital technology, a green economy, sustainable environmental practices, and a socially cohesive and open society that integrates Asia’s and the world’s advanced values. The city aims to attract domestic and international talent and entrepreneurs, fostering a vibrant startup and innovation community that seeds cutting‑edge trends and models. Beyond being Viet Nam’s economic engine, it aspires to be a globally influential modern city.

Historical roots and development

In 1698, Commander Nguyen Huu Canh was dispatched to govern the southern region, establishing Gia Dinh prefecture—the precursor to Sai Gon. Once dense forests and swamps, the area’s fertile land and extensive waterways made it ideal for development under the Nguyen lords. It soon emerged as a vital trading centre of the Mekong Delta. Under French colonial rule, Sai Gon became a key exploitation hub and was nicknamed the “Pearl of the Far East”. The city rapidly modernised, featuring many Western‑style architectural landmarks.

After national reunification in 1975, Sai Gon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City on July 2, 1976 to honour the beloved President Ho Chi Minh. During the Doi Moi (Renewal) economic reforms, the city led breakthrough initiatives, served as an economic powerhouse, and pioneered national policy shifts. Despite suffering severely during the COVID‑19 pandemic, it demonstrated resilience and continued making major contributions to the national budget.

During 2021–2025 period, despite numerous challenges and opportunities, the city leveraged its tradition of unity, built on stable development achievements from previous terms. Driven by the determination of the Party Committee and strong support from businesses and residents, it achieved comprehensive growth across all areas, reinforcing its role as a national growth pole. GRDP by 2025 was projected at 1.5 times higher than the 2020 level and per capita GRDP reached 8,400 USD, 1.7 times higher than the national average.

State budget revenue for the 2021–2025 period neared 2.4 quadrillion VND (91 billion USD), 30% above the previous period, growing at about 7% per annum, contributing 26% to national revenues.

Investment attracted selectively from strong, reputable investors, with nearly 225,000 new businesses established, 30% of the national total and 8.3% higher than previously. Breakthroughs in institutional reform, infrastructure, digital transformation, science–technology, and human resources yielded significant outcomes.

Transport and urban infrastructure were planned multi-centrically, regionally connected, and climate-adaptive. The startup and innovation ecosystem approached the top 100 most dynamic cities globally.

In the first half of 2025, GRDP growth surged over 8%, the highest since 2020. Retail sales rose 17.3%, exports went up by 13.3%, total social investment climbed 16.2%, and FDI reached nearly 3 billion USD, 2.69 times higher than the same period in 2024.

Administrative reforms alleviated key economic bottlenecks: 63 major projects were unblocked with over 86 trillion VND freed and 923 ha of land released. Budget revenue was about 322 trillion VND (62% of plan, a 20.4% increase).

Two major civic ceremonies, the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April) and UN Vesak Day, were successfully held, inspiring patriotism, enhancing national prestige internationally.

Implementation of Resolution 57‑NQ/TW brought positive outcomes: the city ranked among Southeast Asia’s top 5 innovative startup ecosystems (per StartupBlink) while multiple partnerships and projects began with major domestic and foreign tech investors.

Total factor productivity (TFP) contribution to GRDP continued increasing, boosting specialised FDI in tech and science—1.2 billion USD in the second quarter of 2025.

The city has collaborated with Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau provinces to connect digital infrastructure across 168 wards and communes. Digital platforms across two-tier administrations were officially launched from July 1, 2025.

A transformational leap

The National Assembly passed Resolution 202/2025/QH15 on June 12, 2025 to reorganise provincial‑level administrations, merging Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria–Vung Tau, and Binh Duong into Ho Chi Minh City (new). Covering 6,772.59 km² with a population of over 14 million, it forms the core of the Southern key economic region.

This strategic move embodies the Party and State’s commitment to a streamlined, efficient administrative system—not merely a geographical merger but a powerful unity to propel development and aim for a top‑100 global livable city by 2030, with a vision to 2045.

The new city, anchored in digital technology, green economics, and social-environmental harmony, aims to attract talents and entrepreneurs at home and abroad. It will be a dynamic incubator for startups and innovation, fostering forward-looking trends and models. It seeks not merely national economic leadership, but global urban influence.

Strategic missions, laying the foundation for breakthrough development

The municipal Party Committee will focus on five strategic mission groups in the 2025-2030 period:

First, build a streamlined, efficient two‑tier local government, reducing redundant agencies, empowering capable staff, and executing administrative reform swiftly yet scientifically, ensuring enhanced productivity, quality, and service to citizens and businesses.

Second, implement the “four strategic pillars” with clear targets, programmes, timelines, deliverables, and assigned responsibilities, including: Resolution 57‑NQ/TW (December 22, 2024) on breakthroughs in science–technology, innovation, digital transformation; Resolution 59‑NQ/TW (January 24, 2025) on international integration in the new era; Resolution 66‑NQ/TW on legislative reform; and Resolution 68‑NQ/TW (May 4, 2025) on private sector development.

Third, revise and build planning for new Ho Chi Minh City, envisaging a city of three zones: existing Ho Chi Minh City: financial and high‑tech capital, Binh Duong: industrial capital, and Ba Ria–Vung Tau: maritime capital and international logistics gateway.

Fourth, advance the “one centre – four highs – one focus” strategy: One centre: International Finance Centre in Ho Chi Minh City; four highs: multipurpose high‑tech and innovation centre (AI, GIS, semiconductors), high‑tech industrial zone, top-tier education, and world‑class healthcare; one focus: synchronised investment in transport and digital infrastructure per Resolution 57‑NQ/TW.

Fifth, enhance administrative reform and improve investment climate, aiming to rank in the top 3 for Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) and as the most attractive destination for major investors by 2030. This requires simplifying procedures, cutting red tape—especially in land use papers and permitting—and delivering modern infrastructure, high‑quality human resources, and a superior living environment to attract and retain investors, businesses, and talent.

A city worth living in

New Ho Chi Minh City will unite the nation’s most dynamic “three economic poles” into a super-city of finance, high‑tech industry, and maritime economy—among Southeast Asia’s densest and most developed—and aim to be among the top 100 livable global cities by 2030, and further by 2045. The city will implement six flagship initiatives:

A world‑class coastal tourism zone: Ho Tram–Binh Chau–Long Hai–Vung Tau city, with diverse entertainments such as golf, beach games, tourism ports, casinos, and eco‑resorts.

A free trade and commercial zone linked to the Cai Mep–Can Gio transshipment port cluster.

An eco‑tourism–residential area in Can Gio, integrated with the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve.

An International Financial Centre and multipurpose high‑tech hub.

Development of the core urban area in existing Ho Chi Minh City.

Establishment of the Binh Duong industrial‑urban centre.

Leveraging a young demographic, dynamic business class, many universities and research institutes, and strong integration capabilities, the city will cultivate a science–tech and innovation ecosystem and a robust, principled private sector. Balanced human‑centric development will ensure that economic progress aligns with equity, social welfare, and quality of life. Beyond being an economic centre, the city must be a place worth living in—where citizens enjoy opportunities in health, education, environment, and safety. Investment in healthcare, education, community health, and youth development will be prioritised. Comprehensive social welfare will ensure no one is left behind—especially in newly merged and disadvantaged areas.

With over 300 years of development—from wilderness to Viet Nam’s busiest metropolis—Ho Chi Minh City’s journey has paralleled the nation’s history. This legacy provides a solid foundation for the Party Committee of Ho Chi Minh City (new) to continue uniting and inspiring action, with the capability to lead not only nationally, but to break through on the global urban stage. It will stand as a city of innovation, action, and aspiration—worthy of carrying the great name of President Ho Chi Minh.

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