Construction work on Luong Dinh Cua Street (section from Tran Nao intersection towards Nguyen Co Thach Street, Thu Thiem New Urban Area, Ho Chi Minh City) - Photo: Chau Tuan
With over $16 billion already invested and continuing to be invested in projects, the Thu Thiem new urban area will become a new connectivity hub for Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast region, a convergence point for transportation, investment, trade, and services.
From Thu Thiem, connecting routes extend to all corners of the country.
If we liken Ho Chi Minh City after its expansion to a vigorously moving body, then Thu Thiem is one of the city's new "infrastructure hearts." Located at the eastern gateway, playing a crucial role in connecting Ho Chi Minh City with the Southeast region and national economic corridors, Thu Thiem possesses a unique advantage that few other urban areas can match.
These days, the atmosphere at the Thu Thiem construction sites is bustling from morning till night. In the square and administrative center area, construction is ongoing, with machinery and trucks constantly moving in and out. From above, a vast area with dozens of cranes in operation is a stark contrast to the previous image of stagnant ponds and swamps.
Sections of roadbeds, technical areas, and the first components of public spaces are gradually revealing their foundations; a new center is being built day by day.
Current status map of the Thu Thiem new urban area - Photo by CHAU TUAN
The entire administrative center is planned according to the philosophy of "of the people - by the people - for the people," aiming to create a modern administrative, cultural, and community space. Once completed, this area will become a venue for major events, administrative activities, and important public spaces, serving as a new central core of Ho Chi Minh City for many years to come.
Surrounding this core area, international financial center projects, cultural institutions, riverside parks, flood control reservoirs, and large-scale public spaces are also being gradually implemented. Each project not only fulfills its functional purpose but is also expected to become a new symbol of the riverside city.
Planned for over 30 years, the Thu Thiem new urban area is accelerating infrastructure completion after the core area was cleared, taking shape as a new urban center - Photo by CHAU TUAN
Outstanding infrastructure projects that have been and continue to be invested in the Thu Thiem new urban area (unit: billion VND) - Graphic: N.KHANH
Along with iconic architectural structures, a multi-layered and multi-modal transportation network is also being developed around Thu Thiem. A highlight is the pedestrian bridge over the Saigon River – a unique structure designed in the shape of a coconut leaf, expected to be completed by September 2nd. In the inter-regional project, a series of strategic transportation projects are also accelerating.
The An Phu interchange and the expansion project of the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway are expected to be completed this year. Following that, the Thu Thiem 4 bridge is about to begin construction, opening another direct connection route from Thu Thiem to the southern part of Ho Chi Minh City.
In particular, Thu Thiem is also an area where numerous metro and railway projects are being simultaneously invested in. Thu Thiem Station, where three railway lines intersect, could serve as a model for the Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) strategy. Currently, the city has commenced construction of Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem section) and is preparing to continue with the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway line connecting to Long Thanh Airport.
Once the infrastructure is completed, Thu Thiem will become part of the core of Ho Chi Minh City's eastward expansion, playing a key connecting role in the new urban development structure - Photo by CHAU TUAN
In the future, from the metro and railway lines, passengers can travel to Ben Thanh central station, then go underground through Thu Thiem via Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem section). And from Thu Thiem station, people can also follow the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway line or the North-South high-speed railway to reach Long Thanh International Airport.
Conversely, upon arrival at the airport, foreign investors can take the expressway or rail to the international financial center in Thu Thiem to collaborate and seek investment opportunities.
Once the infrastructure ecosystem is complete, Thu Thiem will become a new connectivity hub for Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast region, a convergence point for transportation, investment, trade, and services, thereby spreading development momentum to the entire southern region.
The central square and new administrative center of Ho Chi Minh City are envisioned as an open space linked to urban management and connecting major thoroughfares - Photo: CHAU TUAN
The sweet fruits of determination.
The remarkable transformation of projects in the Thu Thiem new urban area in recent times is primarily the result of the people's cooperation, the determination of the entire political system of the city, and a new development mindset that prioritizes speed of implementation, investment efficiency, and the quality of life for the people.
This impetus was clearly visible immediately after the third meeting of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee's Executive Board for the 2025-2030 term, which took place in early January 2026. The meeting agreed on a series of action programs to accelerate the completion of the Thu Thiem new urban area, creating room for breakthrough development so that it truly becomes a new growth pole for the city's economy.
At the conference, Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang requested the development of a Gantt chart (progress tracking chart) to focus on the commencement and construction of major projects in 2026. Party committees, organizations, agencies, and units at all levels were urged to demonstrate responsibility, proactiveness, and decisiveness in implementation; to strengthen coordination, inspection, and supervision to ensure that policies are put into practice promptly and yield practical results.
Ho Chi Minh City's determination has breathed new life into the area. Many projects that will drive the Thu Thiem development project have been launched consecutively, such as Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem section), the new administrative and political center... and soon, Thu Thiem Bridge 4, the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway, the international financial center, the Children's Palace, and many other iconic projects. In particular, projects that had been stalled for years due to land acquisition issues have been resolved, allowing construction to resume after a period of stagnation.
The Central Square and New Administrative Center project in Thu Thiem, Ho Chi Minh City, is a significant undertaking in terms of urban spatial organization and creating a new urban center – Photo: CHAU TUAN
Assessing the development of Thu Thiem, Mr. Ngo Anh Vu - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Construction Planning - noted that the city has prioritized the comprehensive development of both technical and social infrastructure, from squares, green spaces, theaters, international financial centers to the transportation system.
To date, the city has gathered all the necessary conditions, advantages, and strengths, along with the strong determination of the entire political system, to develop a modern and worthy Thu Thiem.
According to architect Khuong Van Muoi - former Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Architects Association, "Ho Chi Minh City has oriented the Thu Thiem new urban area to become a new growth pole with full functions: a political-administrative center, an international financial center, a large-scale cultural center, along with iconic buildings."
With that orientation, Thu Thiem is now not only a beautiful, modern urban area but also a place where transportation flows, capital flows, and development drivers converge and are distributed."
Construction site of the new administrative center and landscaped lake park project in Thu Thiem - Photo: TTD
Construction begins on a series of key projects on July 2nd.
The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has issued a plan to organize groundbreaking ceremonies for key projects to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Saigon - Gia Dinh City being honored with the name of President Ho Chi Minh (July 2, 1976 - July 2, 2026).
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, the projects have been approved by the City People's Council. The list includes the Ben Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi Cultural Park and the Ben Bach Dang green space project, expanding the riverside area and creating urban landmarks.
Next is the Ho Tram - Long Thanh International Airport urban expressway, connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Long Thanh airport. Also in the same group is the Can Gio - Vung Tau sea route, opening a crucial axis to complete the new Ho Chi Minh City ring road. The Binh Tien bridge and road project (Pham Van Chi - Nguyen Van Linh) and the Ho Chi Minh City - Moc Bai expressway (phase 1) are also on the list.
The selection of contractors for the two interchanges between the Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway and the Rung Sac road and National Highway 50 is finalizing plans for commencement of construction around this time, aiming to complete inter-regional transportation in the East and South.
In addition, the Cai Mep Ha general and container port (phase 1) has completed its environmental impact assessment, which was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on June 25, 2026; the feasibility report was approved by the Ministry of Construction on June 26, 2026.
We must make the people proud of the new Thu Thiem urban area.
According to Associate Professor Tran Hoang Ngan, when assessing the role of the Thu Thiem new urban area in contributing to the development of Ho Chi Minh City in particular, the first thing he thinks of is the need to thank the people of Thu Thiem - those who shared and agreed to allow the city to acquire the land for construction, especially at a time when the city was accelerating its efforts to complete this urban area.
2026 is a crucial year for Ho Chi Minh City to accelerate the construction of Thu Thiem according to the master plan. The Thu Thiem peninsula, with its location, land resources, and potential, can be likened to a gold mine or treasure trove of Ho Chi Minh City that needs to be exploited quickly and effectively.
Certainly, Thu Thiem will be completed and developed as expected, becoming a source of pride for the people of Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country as a model urban area, serving to improve the quality of life and happiness of its people.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dua-thu-thiem-thanh-trung-tam-moi-100260628092040505.htm
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