At the 15th meeting (special meeting) on May 19, the 10th HCMC People’s Council for the 2021–2026 term unanimously adopted the Adjusted Master Plan for HCMC’s development towards 2040, with a vision to 2060.
Previously, in a report on this matter, Vice Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, stated that the city’s population is projected to reach 13 million by 2040, 14.5 million by 2050, and 16 million by 2060.
The plan outlines the development of HCMC into five urban divisions: the central urban division, the eastern urban division, the northern-northwestern urban division, the western urban division, and the southern urban division.
HCMC People’s Council delegates discuss and consider issues raised by the HCMC People’s Committee at the previous meeting before voting. Photo: Ngo Tung
The central urban division is defined by the Vanh Dai 2 road to the north and west, the Kenh Doi and Kenh Te canals to the south, and the Saigon River to the east. This division comprises Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh, Go Vap, and Binh Tan, as well as a portion of District 12, covering approximately 17,000 hectares and accommodating a current population (as of 2019) of around 4.5 million.
The eastern urban division, which has been established as Thu Duc City, spans about 21,000 hectares and is home to approximately 1.1 million people as of 2019.
The northern-northwestern urban division borders Tay Ninh to the north, Long An to the west, and the administrative boundary between Hoc Mon and Binh Chanh districts and Vanh Dai 2 road to the south.
This division includes Cu Chi and Hoc Mon districts, as well as a portion of District 12, covering a total area of approximately 58,500 hectares. As of 2019, the population was around 1.4 million.
The western urban division is bordered to the north by the administrative boundary between Hoc Mon and Binh Chanh districts, to the south by the border with Long An province, to the east by Vanh Dai 2 road and the Can Giuoc River, and to the west and south by Long An province.
This division encompasses most of Binh Chanh district, with a total area of about 23,300 hectares. As of 2019, the population was approximately 840,000.
The southern urban division is bounded to the north by the Kenh Doi and Kenh Te canals, to the south by the sea and Long An province, to the east by the Dong Nai River, and to the west by the Can Giuoc River.
This division includes District 7, Nha Be and Can Gio districts, as well as a portion of Binh Chanh district, covering a total area of 93,300 hectares, which includes the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve. As of 2019, the population was around 1.2 million.
In terms of spatial development orientation, the plan combines a multi-center urban model with diverse ecological spaces, harnessing the power of nature and economic resources, and adapting to various contexts.
Regarding transportation, the plan is based on supplementing the master plan for the development of transport in the Southern Key Economic Region and five national specialized transport plans.
It is anticipated that road connections will be added to reinforce HCMC’s central position, such as extending Nguyen Huu Tho Street, connecting to the coastal road in Tien Giang, linking to Long Thanh International Airport, connecting to Dong Nai, and integrating with the railway system.
HCMC Master Plan to be approved by the end of Q3 at the latest
Speaking at the meeting about this issue, Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, Mr. Phan Van Mai, stated that the city should have first implemented the master plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision towards 2050, and then proceeded to review and adjust the master plan for the city’s development towards 2040, with a vision to 2060.
However, due to the challenges posed by the pandemic, the city carried out these two tasks almost simultaneously, including the master plan for Thu Duc City.
During the upcoming break in the 7th session of the National Assembly (from June 8 to 18), the HCMC People’s Committee will report on the results of the study on the master plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision towards 2050.
Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, Mr. Phan Van Mai, discusses the progress of implementing the city’s master plans. Photo: Ngo Tung
According to Mr. Mai, this report will update certain aspects of the master plan.
Following the receipt of feedback on the master plan at this meeting, the HCMC People’s Committee will finalize and submit it to the Ministry of Construction for review by relevant ministries before the approval process.
Consequently, the city will need to provide explanations and interactions, and it is anticipated that the master plans for HCMC and Thu Duc City will be approved in Q3 at the earliest.
Regarding the HCMC master plan, Chairman Mai mentioned that the process is slightly delayed. Currently, the plan has been submitted to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and feedback is being gathered from relevant ministries for submission to the National Appraisal Council. Once the Council provides its feedback, HCMC will incorporate the feedback, finalize the dossier, and seek approval from the HCMC People’s Council.
Mr. Mai also stated that, according to the plan, the HCMC People’s Council is expected to meet in mid-June for a special session to approve the city’s master plan. Subsequently, the HCMC People’s Committee will promptly finalize the dossier for submission to the Prime Minister for approval by the end of June.
Thus, the approval of the city’s master plan is projected for the end of June, while the approval of the master plan is anticipated for the end of Q3 at the latest (end of September).
