On September 23rd, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with Tuoi Tre Newspaper and UEH.ISB School of Talent (University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City), organized a seminar to conclude the Ho Chi Minh City Industry and Trade Development Forum. The event was themed “Ho Chi Minh City Industry and Trade Development: Ideas – Actions – International Integration.”
Ho Chi Minh City needs to break through to become a modern industrial and commercial hub.
Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, stated that after three months of implementing the Ho Chi Minh City Industry and Trade Development Forum, the organizing committee identified six major groups of proposals.
Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: BCT |
First, there is a need for a swift shift from processing to value creation in industry. Second, rapid digital and green transformation in industry is essential to ensure sustainable development. Third, commerce should be established as the foundation for industrial circulation.
Fourth, removing logistics bottlenecks is crucial for takeoff. Fifth, supporting businesses to enhance their competitiveness. Lastly, building a high-quality workforce.
Based on these proposals, Mr. Vu believes that Ho Chi Minh City’s industry and trade can only break through with a comprehensive, synchronized strategy and immediate decisive actions.
“To materialize this, I propose five recommendations to the city’s leadership. First, develop a new Ho Chi Minh City Industrial Strategy until 2045, clearly identifying key industries, value-added goals, and roadmaps for digital and green transformation.
Next, reform institutions and improve trade capital flow, swiftly implement mechanisms from Resolution 98, and facilitate businesses’ access to resources. Third, enhance multi-modal logistics investment, reducing logistics costs to the global average of below 12% of GDP by 2030.
Fourth, implement digital and green transformation programs for small and medium-sized enterprises, fostering innovation across the entire economy. Lastly, strengthen linkages in the Southeast region, positioning Ho Chi Minh City as the core of an internationally competitive industrial and commercial growth pole,” shared Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu.
Mr. Vu also affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City’s leadership will listen and translate these proposals into specific actions.
“These proposals from readers and experts are invaluable assets. Ho Chi Minh City will act decisively, maintaining its role as a leading city, becoming a modern, green, and sustainable industrial and commercial hub by 2030 and 2045,” said Mr. Vu.
Expanding development space for Ho Chi Minh City
At the event, Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, Member of the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Council and the National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council, suggested that for Ho Chi Minh City to become a modern global competitor, it needs to open up various development spaces to leverage technology, the era, and globalization.
Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, Member of the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Council: Ho Chi Minh City needs to open up development spaces. Photo: BTC |
Ho Chi Minh City must choose an economic structure suitable for the needs of the times, paying more attention to global market demands, producing what the market needs, with the spirit of catching up and surpassing, or at least keeping pace.
Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Thien also expressed that to meet expectations, Ho Chi Minh City’s economic structure needs to reconsider what to produce, for whom, which markets, using what technology, and who can help solve these issues.
Regarding new development spaces, they need to be further expanded. The expert noted that Ho Chi Minh City has many development spaces such as logistics, maritime, airspace, underground, cultural, and digital spaces.
Many of these development spaces remain untapped, with significant potential. No city fails to utilize underground space due to its congestion reduction and safety benefits.
“With the Can Gio superport, I suggest it becomes the southern departure point heading north. In a few years, if we effectively develop and exploit the port cluster in Ho Chi Minh City, its positive impact on the economy and its global stature will be immense, rivaling any port in the world,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Thien.
The expert further stressed that the country’s economic leader, Ho Chi Minh City, faces major bottlenecks such as a lack of development space and autonomy for innovation.
While the economic scale has increased manifold over 15-20 years, management mechanisms remain slow to innovate. To fulfill its mission, Ho Chi Minh City needs autonomy, the ability to act independently, and take responsibility.
It is essential to clarify the limits of autonomy, independent action, and responsibility in an open spirit—granting sufficient authority for the city to proactively and creatively fulfill its assigned mission.
According to the expert, lessons from Binh Duong show that by leveraging its advantages, Ho Chi Minh City and other “dragons” can collaborate to become stronger.
Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc converses with experts before the seminar. Photo: BTC Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc expressed: “I hope to see ‘Vietnamese flocks’ flying alongside ‘global eagles,’ enabling Vietnamese businesses to rise and develop on par with international partners.” Mr. Duoc mentioned that the forum gathered ideas and dedicated experts for the city’s development, helping Ho Chi Minh City grow rapidly and sustainably. The new Ho Chi Minh City aims to become a super metropolis, striving to be among the top 100 most livable cities globally. The Chairman also thanked the experts for their insightful contributions and directly addressed various concerns, acknowledging all business proposals. Additionally, Mr. Duoc expressed a desire to have monthly breakfast meetings with businesses and industry associations to gather more practical insights. |
THU HÀ
– 11:34 23/09/2025
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