Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Xuan Khu/TTXVN
Building on the impressive results of 2025, Ho Chi Minh City not only affirms its position as the leading economic engine of the country but also prepares for new opportunities with the goal of double-digit growth, an average GRDP of 9,800 USD, and the vision of becoming an international "megacity" ranked among the Top 100 most livable cities in the world.
On the occasion of the beginning of 2026, a reporter from the Vietnam News Agency interviewed Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, and Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, about the foundational achievements and the roadmap for realizing the goals set by the City Party Committee for 2026 and the 2025-2030 term.
Could you please tell us about the outstanding achievements in socio-economic development of Ho Chi Minh City in 2025, especially the period from July 1st, 2025, when the two-tiered local government model officially comes into operation and is merged with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau?
2025 is a particularly important historical milestone, not only marking the completion of the 2021-2025 five-year socio-economic development plan, but also signifying a significant transformation for the city in terms of both development space and governance. This period is considered a "test" for the governance capacity of the new city.
From July 1, 2025, when the two-tiered local government model officially comes into operation and the merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau provinces is completed, the new Ho Chi Minh City will become a megacity with an area of over 6,772 km² and a population of approximately 14 million people. The administrative unit restructuring has been implemented decisively, reducing the number of commune-level units from 441 to 168, while ensuring full benefits and policies for officials and civil servants, helping the system operate smoothly, effectively, and efficiently from the outset.
In this context, with the concerted efforts of the entire political system, the consensus, support, and cooperation of the people and the business community, the city has achieved very commendable and proud results, with many bright colors and 12 milestones reflecting a comprehensive and breakthrough development picture:
Economically: GRDP growth reached 8.03%; total GRDP is estimated at 3 trillion VND, equivalent to 23.5% of the national GDP; GRDP per capita reached 8,755 USD (approximately 220 million VND), 1.7 times higher than the national average. State budget revenue reached over 800,000 billion VND, approximately one-third of the total national revenue, exceeding the central government's target by 19.1%, and increasing by 14.2% compared to the same period last year. Tourism recovered strongly, with revenue reaching approximately 260,000 billion VND, an increase of 36.1%; welcoming 8.5 million international visitors, an increase of 39.3% compared to the same period last year. Exports reached nearly 95.8 billion USD, an increase of 7% compared to the same period last year. Public investment disbursement was accelerated, expected to reach 100% of the plan by January 31, 2026.
Administrative reforms and improvements in the investment and business environment have been significant, leading to outstanding results in attracting both domestic and foreign investment. Foreign direct investment (FDI) reached approximately US$8.2 billion, a 21.1% increase, including about US$2 billion invested in science, technology, and innovation. Nearly 60,000 new businesses were established with a total registered capital of over VND 2 trillion. A particularly noteworthy achievement is that the city has resolved and is pursuing solutions for 712 out of 838 stalled projects, unlocking over VND 131 trillion in investment capital.
Urban and transportation infrastructure has seen significant improvements with numerous projects completed and accelerated (30 transportation projects have been completed and key projects, urban railway lines, and inter-regional connections have been expedited); digital transformation has achieved substantial results, with 5G coverage reaching 68% (96% in key areas) and large data centers put into operation; social issues such as flooding, waste, and environmental problems have been addressed with fundamental solutions; the rate of household waste collection and treatment has reached 100%, and construction has begun on new technology waste-to-energy plants.
The city has proactively advised, proposed, and received approval from the National Assembly for three groundbreaking resolutions, creating a new institutional springboard for long-term development (Resolution No. 188/2025/QH15 on the urban railway network; Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15 on the International Financial Center; Resolution No. 260/2025/QH15 on amending and supplementing some articles of Resolution No. 98/2023/QH15).
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc inspects the Public Administrative Service Center of Ba Ria Ward. Photo: Doan Manh Duong/TTXVN
With decisive action, within just 15 days, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City concretized these policies by submitting to the City People's Council seven important resolutions related to overall planning, free trade zones, decentralization of revenue sources and expenditure responsibilities, and approval of the railway project list; simultaneously, it organized the inauguration of the City's Public Administrative Service Center; proactively prepared the conditions and closely coordinated with central ministries and agencies to put into operation the International Finance Center in Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's role from a "production hub" to a "financial and investment hub".
In the socio-cultural field, the city successfully organized many major events, especially the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, creating an atmosphere of excitement and pride among the people. Social welfare was ensured; the city supported the construction and repair of more than 1,300 charity houses and reduced the rate of poor and near-poor households according to its own standards. The health and education systems continued to be invested in and modernized, aiming to become a center for healthcare and training high-quality human resources in the ASEAN region. Scientific, technological and digital transformation activities were promoted and achieved many important results. Foreign affairs were organized effectively. National defense, political security, and social order and safety were maintained.
Based on the achievements in 2025, what are the city's socio-economic development goals for the new year 2026, Comrade?
The year 2026 is significant in creating momentum and driving force for the entire 2026-2030 period. The city clearly recognizes that the workload is enormous, the requirements are very high, and there is no room for complacency or delays.
The city has unanimously chosen the theme for 2026 as: “Improving and enhancing the quality of the organizational structure - Unlocking institutional barriers - Breaking through infrastructure - Enhancing the efficiency of serving the people.”
Among the 26 specific targets, we have set very ambitious goals to create momentum for both the region and the country. Specifically, the city aims for a Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate of over 10%; to raise GRDP per capita to US$9,800; to strongly shift the economic structure towards modernization, with the digital economy accounting for 30% or more of GRDP, the contribution of total factor productivity (TFP) to GRDP reaching approximately 60%, and the social labor productivity growth rate at 7.5%. To realize these ambitious and high-achieving goals, the City People's Committee will focus on the following six key tasks and solutions:
Firstly, successfully organize the elections for the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels; and at the same time, urgently concretize and implement the Resolutions of the Party Congresses at all levels in conjunction with the 5-year development plan and the double-digit growth target.
Secondly, leverage the three traditional growth drivers of production, consumption, and exports, while simultaneously promoting three new drivers: an international financial center, a port and logistics system, and innovation linked to green transformation and digital transformation. Innovate urban governance models, shifting strongly from a management mindset to a risk-based and service-oriented mindset, from a plan-based approach to a goal-oriented and product-driven approach; decisively implement specific mechanisms under Resolutions 188, 222, and 260, creating an environment attractive enough to attract strategic investors.
Thirdly, perfect the organizational structure to ensure efficient, streamlined, strong, effective, and efficient operation; accelerate administrative reform associated with building a proactive, honest, action-oriented, and service-oriented government, with citizens and businesses at its center. Improve the quality of the staff towards professionalism, discipline, and responsibility; encourage and protect dynamic, proactive, creative officials who dare to think, know how to act, and dare to take responsibility.
Fourth, complete the Master Plan for the New City, reorganize the development space towards a multi-polar, integrated, and connected approach; create a breakthrough in mobilizing resources for infrastructure investment, making it a "major construction site" in 2026; focus on effectively addressing bottlenecks related to flooding, traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and ensure the implementation of the roadmap for a drug-free city by 2030.
Fifth, develop culture and people, ensure social security, improve the quality of education and healthcare; take good care of the people's lives, especially during the traditional Tet holiday in 2026.
Sixth, strengthen foreign relations and international integration, maintain national defense and security, and ensure social order and safety in all situations.
The Landmark 81 building in the upscale Vinhome Central urban complex is currently the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Vu/TTXVN
It can be said that Ho Chi Minh City enters 2026 with ambitious goals. What message do you have for the political system, the people, and the business community of the city?
First and foremost, for the political system, 2026 must be a year of decisive action; maintaining discipline and order; innovating leadership and management methods; and promoting decentralization and delegation of power coupled with accountability for leaders. The city will make maximum use of the new mechanisms and policies of Resolution 260, focusing on strategic infrastructure projects and definitively addressing bottlenecks, ensuring that policy delays do not hinder development.
For its citizens, the city remains steadfast in its policy-making approach, prioritizing the people in all policies; committed to improving the quality of public services, infrastructure, living environment, and ensuring social welfare. The prioritization of land for parks and public cultural spaces clearly demonstrates its development orientation for the benefit of the community.
For the business community, recognizing businesses as a resource and driving force for development, the city will continue to improve the investment environment, support businesses in innovation, develop the digital economy and green economy, and participate in strategic projects.
2026 should not only be a year of quantitative growth, but also a year of significant qualitative transformation. With the unity of the entire political system and the consensus of the people, Ho Chi Minh City is determined to make breakthroughs, maintain its role as the economic locomotive of the country, and create a solid foundation for the development period of 2026-2030.
I call for unity, solidarity, and a sense of responsibility from the entire political system, the business community, and all citizens. Only when each entity shares a common vision and action can the city fully realize its potential, maintain its role as the economic engine of the country, and move closer to the goal of becoming an international megacity, ranking among the top 100 most livable cities in the world.
Thank you very much, comrade!
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/sieu-do-thi-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-san-sang-cho-van-hoi-moi-20260115090443893.htm
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