Reporters of Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper recorded diverse opinions on expectations, solutions and readiness for the historic transformation so that Ho Chi Minh City can enter a faster and more sustainable development journey, worthy of being the country's socio -economic locomotive, and the center of regional and international connections.
Comrade NGUYEN THI LE, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairwoman of the People's Council of Ho Chi Minh City:
Worthy of being the leader of the country
The country is entering a moment of special significance, when from July 1, Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly on the arrangement of provincial-level administrative units will officially be implemented. In particular, the policy of arranging Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong Province and Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province into a new administrative unit called Ho Chi Minh City marks an important turning point. The new Ho Chi Minh City is facing a historic opportunity. This is not only a change in boundaries but also a revolution in organization, thinking, vision and aspiration.
Also from this point on, the two-level local government model will be organized and operated nationwide. This is not only a strategic step in the process of reforming the apparatus, but also deeply demonstrates the people's trust and expectations for a modern, transparent, serving, close-to-the-people and for-the-people administration; a strong driving force for the entire nation to confidently enter a new era of development, an era of strong, prosperous and prosperous development.
The official implementation of the two-level local government model is a new journey with many opportunities but also many challenges, requiring proactive adaptation, innovation in management thinking and improved operational capacity. It is also a milestone demonstrating the high political determination of the Party Committee, government and people of Ho Chi Minh City in creating a "streamlined - compact - strong - efficient - effective - efficient" administrative organization model, meeting the development requirements in the new period.
This new phase will create unprecedented opportunities for sustainable development in the future, building Ho Chi Minh City into a modern megacity with strong influence, leading the economic development of Vietnam and enhancing its position in the international arena. I believe and hope that the new Ho Chi Minh City will continue to develop faster, more sustainably, worthy of being an economic locomotive, a major center of culture, education, science and technology of the country and the region.
Dr. TRAN QUANG THANG, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Economics and Management:
Expect breakthroughs in infrastructure, resources, and business opportunities
People and businesses are expecting a strong transformation when Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau are arranged into a megacity. This is not only an administrative reform step but also an opportunity to create a breakthrough in all aspects, from infrastructure, resources to institutional reform and business investment environment.
The conversion to two levels of local government helps to streamline the apparatus, improve operational efficiency and reduce bottlenecks that hinder growth. We hope that this arrangement and streamlining will help the new city have the most elite team of civil servants. Because the strategic vision of the central leadership is clear, but if the local implementation team does not move quickly, the policies will not be able to come to life as desired.
A compact and highly effective apparatus will help policies from the central to local levels not be stuck in the implementation stage. People expect not only mechanical mergers and accumulation, but also a clear change in administrative reform, removing obstacles for businesses, especially the private sector which is increasingly playing a key role.
As the economic locomotive of the country, accounting for about 25% of GDP and a growth target of more than 10%, the new Ho Chi Minh City will carry great expectations. The new city must truly become a livable megacity, with meticulous planning, focusing on green, clean factors, and environmental protection. It is a city where people and businesses have many business opportunities, with professional service from the government. That is the aspiration of the people.
When three localities come together, we create a synergy: capital, technology, people, and development space. If done well, this will be a model urban symbol of Vietnam - a destination that is easy to invest in, easy to live in, and easy to develop.
Associate Professor, Dr. PHAN THANH BINH, Former Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture - Education - Youth - Adolescents and Children
Strategic driving force, core development of the country
In terms of economy, Ho Chi Minh City only accounts for about 25% of the country's GDP, converging 3 important pillars: Ho Chi Minh City is a center of finance, technology and innovation; Binh Duong is a center of high-tech industry; Ba Ria - Vung Tau is a strategic hub in logistics and energy. This functional addition creates a multi-dimensional, sustainable and potential economic entity. With the new space, the "cross-border" development mindset is the core factor. The new Ho Chi Minh City needs to form functional development clusters, where the economy, society and people are connected in practice and complement each other.
From that development model, the need for institutional innovation and regional coordination becomes urgent. The new Ho Chi Minh City is not only an economic center, but also needs to be a pioneer in institutional reform and modern governance. This must be a testing ground for breakthrough policies: effective regional coordination mechanisms, smart urban management models, attracting global talent, strong digital transformation and green development. Successful models here can spread and become experiences for other localities.
This role is even more important as Vietnam aims to become a developed country by 2045. With a large economic space and comprehensive resources, Ho Chi Minh City must be the place to welcome the wave of international investment, shift the supply chain and develop high-tech industries of regional and global stature. At the same time, the city must become a place to attract and retain a new, dynamic, creative, entrepreneurial and integration-minded citizenry.
A new phase has opened. With new stature, new resources and new aspirations, Ho Chi Minh City is not only an economic locomotive, but also a center of strategic thinking, a pioneering model for national development. This is a great responsibility, a historic opportunity for the city to contribute to the country's strong development.
Ms. TRAN THI LAM, medical staff, working in Con Dao
Hope Con Dao gets more systematic investment
As a young person living and working in Con Dao, I am very excited and confident in the strong transformation of the locality when the whole country officially implements the 2-level local government model from July 1. In particular, in the near future, this place will become a special zone of the new Ho Chi Minh City.
The people of Con Dao and I expect the new government to have more authority and a more flexible mechanism to be able to quickly and effectively resolve people's problems. The trust that the people here place in this transformation is the desire to see a government that is closer to the people, friendly to the people, transparent, listens and acts more for the people's lives.
I hope Con Dao will receive systematic investment in technology, strongly deploy digital platforms, especially high-level online public services associated with cashless payments, promote administrative reforms, create the most favorable conditions for people and businesses to carry out procedures quickly and conveniently....
Along with that, I really hope that the harmonious development between nature conservation, historical relics and sustainable tourism development for Con Dao will also be well implemented. In addition, I hope that there will be more policies to attract investment, start-ups, study and work on the spot so that young people can live and contribute here for a long time.
Mr. DUONG QUANG THUAN, Secretary of Party Cell 65, Binh Tri Dong Ward, HCMC:
Improve the quality of life for people
As a citizen of Ho Chi Minh City, after serving in the army, I retired and returned to work in the locality as a ward party cell secretary. I hope that the new Ho Chi Minh City will begin a new phase of socio-economic development to improve people's lives and the quality of service to the people will be even better.
In particular, I hope that the new Ho Chi Minh City will continue to focus on investing in the fields of health, education and cultural and social institutions so that people can benefit more from the achievements of socio-economic development. When people benefit from the achievements of their production and business, they will contribute more to the country and Ho Chi Minh City. The new Ho Chi Minh City will grow strongly in the future.
MSc. NGUYEN BAO MINH, Secretary of the Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh City National University
Where Vietnamese talents gather and shine
Ho Chi Minh City is facing a historic opportunity to create a new urban model, not only an economic center but also a locomotive of science, technology and innovation of the country and the region.
I expect the city to make a strong breakthrough in its strategy for developing science and technology, especially in applying high technology in urban management, healthcare, education and industry. Along with that are policies to encourage research, knowledge transfer, and commercialization of research products, helping ideas not only stay on paper, but also come to life.
In particular, I hope the city will focus on developing a team of young intellectuals who are willing to commit, innovate and lead new trends. By investing in higher education, vocational training and innovation centers, Ho Chi Minh City can become the “creative valley” of Southeast Asia, where Vietnamese talents gather and shine.
The future Ho Chi Minh City needs to be a place that dares to do things differently, is not afraid to try new things, and accepts mistakes in innovation to grow strongly. The city needs bolder policies in empowering young people, supporting startups, protecting the environment, and developing culture, so that young people can both work in a global environment and live in the identity of this city. I believe that when Ho Chi Minh City invests properly in science, technology, and people, it will be a sustainable driving force for a prosperous and modern future.
Dr. QUACH THU NGUYET, former Director - Editor-in-Chief of Tre Publishing House:
Favorable conditions for developing reading culture
When merging Ho Chi Minh City with Ba Ria - Vung Tau, it means expanding the road to the sea; and Binh Duong is a place with infrastructure and economy that attracts FDI from abroad. This merger is like "adding feathers and wings" for Ho Chi Minh City to fly high.
As far as I know, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City is currently building a project to develop a reading culture and a reading culture space in Con Dao. I think this is a very good and correct idea. The merger is also an opportunity to spread the reading culture. Especially when we used to have Vung Tau Book Street, a book street that was once located in the most beautiful location in the country. If there is a change in the operating model and management method, we can completely revive Vung Tau Book Street, contributing to the diversity of the culture of this prosperous coastal tourist land.
As for Binh Duong, the majority of the population is immigrants, coming from all over, creating a unique culture here. That is a challenge but also an opportunity for those working in cultural affairs to have the opportunity to develop their expertise, thereby increasing the internal strength in terms of culture and society of the new Ho Chi Minh City. In which, in my opinion, the first step would be to encourage and develop the need for reading, not only books but also other forms such as newspapers, official information, etc. to contribute to raising the people's knowledge and enriching the spiritual life of the working class. And from there, it will bring opportunities for reading culture to develop.
People's Artist MY UYEN, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Small Stage Drama Theater:
The stage has more audience and activity space.
In the trend of unification, cultural and artistic activities in general, and the field of performing arts in particular, will certainly have many changes, from audience to performance frequency.
Previously, many art forms such as hát bội, cải lương, drama, music, dance, circus, etc. used to go to locations far from the city center such as Cần Giờ and Củ Chi districts to perform for the public. There were many audiences who had never been to the city center to have fun, be entertained or enjoy shows and plays. Now, artists will have more opportunities to expand their scope of performing and serving audiences in Bình Dương and Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu when the three provinces and cities merge.
For artists, this important merger also gives each person more thoughts, makes them feel more responsible for their profession, and takes advantage of opportunities and conditions to better perform in serving the people. In addition, we also hope that after the merger, the management units need to pay more attention to supporting performance venues with sufficient capacity and stability, so that art troupes can take turns organizing monthly performances, bringing colorful and diverse theatrical works with diverse scripts and plays to serve both adults and children.
Musician HUY TUAN, General Director of Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival - HOZO:
Great opportunity to connect and develop the performance industry
I affirm that the merger between Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong Province and Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province will create great advantages for the performance industry. That will be the expansion of the performance market, the expansion of performance spaces, the expansion of performance forms and especially the expansion of the scale of national and international festivals.
In particular, it will also maximize the potential of music performances combined with tourism promotion. Currently, artists and producers of cultural - artistic - entertainment programs are looking forward to a big turning point that will create a big change.
Until now, it is easy to see that Ho Chi Minh City lacks large-scale performance spaces for tens of thousands of people. That has limited the number of famous international artists who choose to perform here.
Obviously, we have more space options as Ho Chi Minh City expands, especially towards the sea. Professionals will also proactively create more diverse forms of performance with festivals, concerts, entertainment projects, large reality TV series related to fashion, music, cinema, hosting, programs combining relaxation - tourism and art enjoyment...
BS-CK2 PHAM THANH VIET, Deputy Director of Cho Ray Hospital:
Patients benefit from the new HCMC
According to the Law on Health Insurance (HI) regulating the transfer of health insurance examination and treatment lines, the administrative boundaries by province in health insurance examination and treatment have been abolished and the transfer lines are based on professional levels: initial level, basic level, and advanced level. Therefore, with the new Ho Chi Minh City, first of all, the health benefits of patients are completely guaranteed, without affecting administrative decentralization.
On the other hand, the merger of 3 provinces and cities brings great opportunities for healthcare development and improvement of the quality of medical examination and treatment. Previously, Ho Chi Minh City had a very high and even density of hospitals and the level of hospitals; performed more specialized techniques than other local healthcare; people had the conditions to enjoy high-quality medical services easily and conveniently.
Therefore, with the new scale of Ho Chi Minh City, the number of people enjoying quality healthcare will increase, accessing the "quintessence" of the country's medicine more conveniently. Hospitals being gathered in an area with high medical standards is certainly an advantage for development compared to before. I believe that the new Ho Chi Minh City brings breakthrough opportunities to improve the professional qualifications of medical facilities, ensuring the task of protecting and taking care of people's health is increasingly better.
Ms. ALEXANDRA SMITH, British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City:
New HCMC - expanding the potential for cooperation between UK and Vietnam
As Consul General and Trade Director of the UK in Vietnam, I am proud to reiterate the UK’s long-standing support for Ho Chi Minh City’s development goals. The UK has been a driving force behind the city’s development, from the development of the International Finance Centre (IFC) to promoting green growth, sustainable infrastructure, education and innovation in healthcare. These efforts are supported by strong bilateral cooperation frameworks such as the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
As Ho Chi Minh City expands through mergers with neighbouring provinces, I believe the city will see a further boom in manufacturing and logistics, attracting more global businesses and talent, leading to increased demand for quality goods, education and services. This is a valuable opportunity for UK businesses, which are globally prominent in areas such as education, fintech, legal services, digital infrastructure and luxury consumer goods.
The opportunity is not one-way. The merger could also create a wave of overseas investment from Vietnamese businesses and individuals looking to expand into the UK market. The UK is committed to continuing to build on its strengths in quality, innovation and long-term cooperation. As Ho Chi Minh City moves towards becoming a larger, more dynamic urban-economic hub, the potential for cooperation between the UK and Vietnam will only expand. We look forward to expanding our presence and working more closely together to create a sustainable, resilient and globally connected future.
Mr. THIBAUT GIROUX, President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (CCIFV):
Regular dialogue, promoting cooperation projects
The merger of Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Binh Duong provinces opens up great opportunities for strengthening economic relations between France and Vietnam. As President of CCIFV, we appreciate the development ambitions of this new megacity. We look forward to strengthening exchanges with local authorities, in order to support French companies in better understanding the new legal framework as well as the development priorities of each region.
We encourage a cooperation model based on expertise, innovation and partnership between France and Vietnam. Priority directions will include support for key sectors such as health, industry, infrastructure, logistics, digital technology and tourism, areas where French companies have a lot of experience and strengths.
The promise of a modern, more autonomous and open governance model for international cooperation is viewed very positively. CCIFV is ready to act as a bridge, accompanying member enterprises in this new context and maintaining regular dialogue with local authorities to promote specific cooperation projects.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ky-vong-ve-mot-sieu-do-thi-dang-song-post801722.html
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