Investments

Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam’s Megacity and Engine of Growth

In just a few days, the Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress will officially commence. This event transcends local politics, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's development. As the first Congress following the city's expansion through the merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, it heralds the birth of a megacity boasting over 14 million residents. This new metropolis stands as Vietnam's premier hub for industry, services, finance, and maritime trade.

Administrator

11 October, 2025

Once the “Pearl of the Orient” in the 20th century, Ho Chi Minh City is stepping into the 21st century with the ambition to become a global metropolis.

Once the “Pearl of the Orient” in the 20th century, Ho Chi Minh City is stepping into the 21st century with the ambition to become a global metropolis – a hub for capital, people, knowledge, and creativity. This scale not only transforms the urban landscape but also demands a fundamental shift in governance thinking and the city’s role in national development. This congress, therefore, is not just about a five-year term but must shape a long-term vision for a global metropolis – leading the nation’s transformation.

The city must answer three core questions: Where will Ho Chi Minh City stand on Asia’s economic map? How can it grow rapidly while remaining sustainable and humane? And how can every citizen feel happy and proud to live, work, and contribute here? The scope of this congress transcends local boundaries. It measures the creative capacity of the City Party Committee, tests the strategic thinking of new leaders, and crystallizes the intelligence, resilience, and aspirations of over 14 million people shaping the story of Vietnam’s most dynamic city.

Ho Chi Minh City – a city of grand aspirations – once again stands at a moment of self-renewal, to live up to its role as the nation’s leader and symbol of the Vietnamese spirit of relentless advancement.

HCMC’S VISION AND MISSION IN THE NEW ERA

In every stage of the nation’s development, there is a place reflecting its aspirations. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is a symbol of dynamism, creativity, and pioneering spirit. The city’s vision cannot remain merely as the “economic locomotive” but must rise to become a global center – where Vietnam integrates, innovates, and spreads its values worldwide.

Ho Chi Minh City must be positioned as a global metropolis – capable of direct connections with Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Dubai, or Shanghai.

Ho Chi Minh City must be positioned as a global metropolis – capable of direct connections with Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Dubai, or Shanghai; a node in the global urban network, converging capital, technology, knowledge, and culture. Yet, the city’s development is not for itself alone. With a contribution of nearly 25% to GDP and over 30% to the national budget, every step of the city must become a national stride. The mission of Ho Chi Minh City is to pull the Vietnamese train forward – leading, spreading, and driving development.

Simultaneously, the city carries a deeper mission – to become an inclusive and humane development space, where everyone has opportunities. Amid market vibrancy, ordinary workers must have housing, children access education, the vulnerable are protected, and talent is celebrated. A metropolis can only be sustainable when it ensures fairness in opportunities and happiness in development.

Ho Chi Minh City’s mission can be summarized in three words: Lead – Liberate – Radiate.

From this vision, Ho Chi Minh City’s mission can be summarized in three words: Lead – Liberate – Radiate.

Lead, as the nation’s largest industrial, service, and innovation hub, responsible for pioneering new development models. Liberate, as the city where human creativity is most powerfully unleashed – where people dare to think, act, and take responsibility. And Radiate, as every breakthrough of the city must become a development driver for the Southeast region, the Mekong Delta, and the nation.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTIONS FOR HCMC IN THE METROPOLITAN ERA

To realize this vision, Ho Chi Minh City needs a development model based on five strategic pillars. First, in institutions, a two-tier governance model – City and commune/ward – must be lean, transparent, accountable, and data-driven. The city needs a stable and pioneering legal framework, allowing autonomy in planning, budget, personnel, and international cooperation. This is not just empowerment but trust, for Ho Chi Minh City to truly become Vietnam’s “institutional laboratory” – testing the most modern governance models.

HCMC focuses on investing in synchronized, modern transportation and digital infrastructure.

Second, in the economy, the city must shift from extensive to intensive growth, driven by three new engines: the digital economy – where data and technology are core resources; the green economy – where growth aligns with emission reduction; and the innovation economy – where businesses, universities, research institutes, and startups form a “new energy triangle.” The city must soon establish the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center, develop new-generation high-tech industrial parks, modern logistics, and become a leading regional startup hub.

Third, in infrastructure, the city must be planned as a multi-centered urban region, with clear development poles: the financial-creative center; the northern green industrial pole; the southern logistics-seaport pole; and the eastern high-tech-university pole. Public transport must be the backbone, planned under the TOD model – urban development linked to transport axes, ensuring convenient, civilized mobility, reducing congestion, and improving quality of life.

Fourth, in society, Ho Chi Minh City must become a city of opportunities – with people at the center of development. Affordable housing, quality education, universal healthcare, and green spaces must be top priorities. Investing in people – especially the “digital citizen” generation – is investing in the future. A city truly succeeds when workers can settle, youth can start businesses, and intellectuals can contribute.

Fifth, in the environment, development must go hand in hand with conservation. As a coastal city, Ho Chi Minh City needs a strong climate adaptation strategy: flood control, clean energy transition, green expansion, and circular economy. A city is truly modern when it lives in harmony with nature and is resilient to challenges.

The city, once a leader in economic reform, must now lead in institutional and governance reform.

ASPIRATIONS TO RISE AND THE SPIRIT OF THE CONGRESS

All these directions will not materialize without a new spirit of action. This congress must reignite Ho Chi Minh City’s spirit – awakening the will to strive, the desire to innovate, and the spirit of service. The city, once a leader in economic reform, must now lead in institutional and governance reform. If the past was about daring to “break barriers,” the future must be about paving the way for creativity and knowledge.

The congress’s spirit must be forged by three values: striving to think big, innovating to tackle the hard, and serving to take responsibility for people’s happiness. Leaders chosen after the congress must not just manage but create – with a global vision, reform courage, and a heart for the people.

The Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress does not just shape the path for a city but opens a national vision. If Vietnam aims to become a developed nation by mid-21st century, Ho Chi Minh City must become a global metropolis – the nation’s integration, innovation, and radiation center.

It is no coincidence that whenever the nation enters a new era, Ho Chi Minh City is named first. For the city has long been a mirror reflecting Vietnam’s vitality, intelligence, and aspirations. In the century of knowledge and creativity, Ho Chi Minh City must be the vanguard, where Vietnam proves its ability to stand alongside developed nations, and demonstrates the power to create happiness through sustainable and humane development.

If the nation’s vision is a powerful Vietnam by 2045, then every completed metro line, every green urban area, every inclusive policy – is proof that the city is helping the nation turn shared aspirations into reality.

I hope this congress crystallizes the intelligence, resilience, and trust of over 14 million people, making it a historic congress – not just planning a city’s development but laying the foundation for a national vision: a modern, humane, powerful Vietnam – with Ho Chi Minh City as a beacon of that aspiration.

Dr. Nguyễn Sĩ Dũng

– 09:33 11/10/2025