New turning point of the megacity Ho Chi Minh City

The 1st Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, term 2025 - 2030, taking place on October 14 and the morning of October 15, is a congress of special significance after Ho Chi Minh City merged with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau , forming a new administrative - economic entity, marking a turning point for the first megacity of Vietnam, creating position and strength to reach global level.

The 1st Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress, term 2025 - 2030, is a congress of special significance for Ho Chi Minh City after the merger. Photo : Le Toan

Create momentum and desire for innovation

The theme of the 1st Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress, term 2025 - 2030 clearly demonstrated the strategic vision: "Building a clean and strong Party and political system; promoting the strength of national solidarity; making breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and private economic development; strengthening national defense, security, foreign affairs, international integration; mobilizing and effectively using all resources for Ho Chi Minh City to be a pioneer with the whole country in the new era".

Right before the opening ceremony, 550 delegates attending the Congress visited and experienced many typical models of industry, seaport services, finance, high technology, education , healthcare and innovation... - key areas mentioned in the Draft Political Report of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress for the 2025 - 2030 term, helping delegates grasp practical information to discuss at the Congress.

This activity is considered not only practical, but also a profound political and ideological activity, helping delegates better understand the scale, structure, identity and potential of the City after the merger, as well as the dynamic role of the private economic sector in implementing Resolution 68-NQ/TW.

The delegations divided into many groups, passing through typical highlights such as Metro Line 1 - a symbol of efforts to modernize urban transport, to VNG Campus headquarters - a place that demonstrates the resilience of Vietnamese technology enterprises.

Delegates also visited the former Binh Duong province to learn about the transport system and industrial infrastructure of this area, with successful models such as VSIP Industrial Park, My Phuoc Industrial Park, Binh Duong Industrial, Urban and Service Complex; and visited Becamex Group - a leading state-owned enterprise in the field of transport, industrial and urban infrastructure.

In the old Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, the delegation witnessed the operations of Gemalink Port - the leading modern deep-water port in the region, a "link" in the global logistics chain and Phu My 3 Specialized Industrial Park - a bright spot attracting global investment.

Through the field trip, the delegates gained more useful practical information, with an excited spirit, believing in the strong development of Ho Chi Minh City in the new era, contributing to the overall success of the City Party Congress for the 2025 - 2030 term.

The foundation for the megacity era

If “position” is geographical location and spatial scale, then “force” is the outstanding economic and social strength, the driving force to reach regional and world levels. The new Ho Chi Minh City possesses a powerful combination of resources, where the three most dynamic growth poles of the country converge.

In 2025, the economic scale of Ho Chi Minh City is estimated to reach 3.03 quadrillion VND (equivalent to 123 billion USD), accounting for 23.5% of the country's GDP. If excluding oil and gas in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, the figure will still reach over 2.821 quadrillion VND, accounting for 22.3% of the country. This shows that Ho Chi Minh City's economic strength is the result of the synthesis and resonance of three dynamic economic regions.

Regarding state budget revenue, this year, Ho Chi Minh City is expected to reach VND737,000 billion, accounting for 36.7% of total national budget revenue, while budget expenditure is expected to reach VND248,000 billion, accounting for 10.9% of total expenditure. This shows the fiscal importance of the new Ho Chi Minh City in the national budget.

According to the Draft Political Report at the 1st Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, term 2025 - 2030, Ho Chi Minh City is aiming for a new vision as an "international megacity" of Southeast Asia. In particular, the goal by 2030 will be to have a prominent position in Southeast Asia, in the top 100 livable global cities; by 2045, Ho Chi Minh City strives to be in the top 100 best cities in the world, becoming an international megacity of the region, an economic - financial - service - education - health center of Asia.

Foreign trade activities were also very active, with total import-export turnover reaching 181.5 billion USD, accounting for 23.1% of the total turnover of the country. The total social investment capital of the City was estimated at 640,700 billion VND, accounting for 17.4% of the total social investment capital of the country. The retail revenue of goods and services was estimated at 1,679 trillion VND, equivalent to 26% of the country, reflecting the large purchasing power and a strongly developed distribution system.

Thus, the merger of Ho Chi Minh City with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau provinces is an unprecedented turning point in the history of urban development in Vietnam, thereby opening up opportunities to expand the market, increase investment attraction, connect infrastructure, connect production chains and raise international status, access financial resources and advanced technology.

This is a comprehensive reconfiguration of the development space, where the three most dynamic economic poles of the country converge, with a new vision as an "international megacity" of Southeast Asia, top 100 most livable cities in the world, to carry out the mission of pioneering, leading and spreading development for the whole country.

“Today, Ho Chi Minh City is at a completely different level, position and strength than before. After its expansion, the city is not only the largest economic center in the country, but also a symbol of pioneering spirit, innovation and the aspiration to reach international level,” Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, Member of the Prime Minister's Policy Advisory Council, said.

According to Mr. Thien, the new Ho Chi Minh City is resonating with the strength of three major economic pillars: services - trade - industry; urban - seaport - tourism; high-tech industrial creative urban area. Each of these economic complexes has its own role: from logistics center, international trade to creative urban area, where foreign direct investment (FDI) capital and high-tech development gather. All combine to create a Ho Chi Minh City with outstanding scale, potential and influence - a true "super city".

Opportunity to reach global stature

Having witnessed every step of Ho Chi Minh City’s transformation over more than half a century, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Hoang Ngan said he understands every breath of this city. Therefore, every time he sets foot in a developing urban area, he secretly hopes that Ho Chi Minh City will one day achieve that stature. “It is gratifying that many of those dreams are gradually becoming reality,” said Mr. Tran Hoang Ngan.

Mr. Tran Hoang Ngan cited that Ho Chi Minh City is currently ranked 102/156 global cities, 101/146 smart cities, 133/173 livable cities and 95/120 international financial centers, even surpassing Bangkok - a signal that the city is on the right track.

According to Mr. Ngan, Ho Chi Minh City has all the conditions for outstanding development, from people to geographical location, infrastructure and economic potential. “This is a favorable arrangement of the universe,” he said, adding that Ho Chi Minh City has high-quality human resources with hundreds of institutes, universities, large hospitals, leading research and health care centers - this is the core factor, the most valuable resource for development.

In addition, industry and logistics are two pillars of strong growth, with nearly 100 industrial parks and export processing zones, contributing about 35% of Ho Chi Minh City's GRDP. The logistics system is developing rapidly and modernly, with large ports such as Cai Mep - Thi Vai and the upcoming Can Gio International Transit Port, helping the City move closer to its position as the leading logistics center in the region.

Regarding transport infrastructure, the City has a rare advantage when it owns two airports, Tan Son Nhat and Con Dao, and soon Long Thanh airport. Although it belongs to Dong Nai, it has strategic significance for the Southeast economic region, in which Ho Chi Minh City plays the role of regional center.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, “reaching new heights” is something Ho Chi Minh City can definitely do. The goal must be to “go beyond the current level” to affirm the role of a globally competitive megacity. Mr. Thien believes that to “reach the right level”, a number of key factors are needed.

That is, to delegate power and assign sufficient responsibility to Ho Chi Minh City. When decentralization is effective and accompanied by a clear accountability mechanism, the City will have the motivation to be proactive, choose the optimal solution and act effectively.

Ho Chi Minh City needs to shape its vision “from the future to the present”. The city’s development space cannot be limited to the ground. It needs to be strongly expanded to the “ocean space” which is the marine economy, international transit ports, energy, marine resources, etc.; the “sky space” which is the low-altitude economy, urban air transport, unmanned aerial vehicles/flying taxis.

Ho Chi Minh City also needs to break through in the “digital space”. The digital economy opens up an almost limitless growth margin; if it takes the lead in digital infrastructure, data, AI and open platforms, the City will multiply productivity, restructure public services - logistics - urban industry according to modern standards.

In parallel, the above directions must be closely linked with international financial centers, innovation centers, transit logistics and free trade zones. These “major coordinates” are suitable for the City’s existing capacity. The core issue is to design a game large enough to create resonance between priority axes, instead of separate priorities.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/buoc-ngoat-moi-cua-sieu-do-thi-tphcm-d409962.html