The 13 most notable milestones include:
1. Ho Chi Minh City was newly established on the basis of merging Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, and implements a two-tiered local government model.
From July 1st, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City expanded its scale with the merger of Binh Duong province and Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, creating a megacity with an area of over 6,772 km2 and a population of over 14 million people.
This event marks a significant development, orienting the construction of Ho Chi Minh City into an "international megacity," with the formation of "3 regions - 1 special zone - 3 corridors - 5 pillars."
By 2030, Ho Chi Minh City aims to become a civilized and modern metropolis, leading the country's industrialization and modernization efforts, holding a prominent position in Southeast Asia, ranking among the top 100 global cities, being a livable city with a strong innovation ecosystem worldwide …
Along with the rest of the country, Ho Chi Minh City also implemented a two-tiered local government model from July 1st.
After six months of implementation, many issues related to organization, operating regulations, and institutions have been fundamentally stabilized and established, meeting the requirements and aspirations of the people and businesses. This is a groundbreaking reform, in line with international trends and aimed at a more modern and efficient governance model, with the long-term goal of preparing a "century-long vision" for the development of the city and the country.
2. Millions of hearts turn towards the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the reunification of the country.
2025 marks a memorable milestone in Ho Chi Minh City's development journey, as the city and the entire country celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). This is an opportunity to reflect on the city's development path, while also honoring the historical, cultural, and sporting values that have contributed to the modern appearance of Ho Chi Minh City today. In particular, the parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification in April 2025 is considered a major and special event, gathering an unprecedented number of people in Ho Chi Minh City since the country's reunification.
3. The First Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, term 2025-2030: A Congress of faith, vision, and action.
This was a historic congress, attended by General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man , and many current and former leaders of the Party and State.
The Congress marks the beginning of a new chapter for the city after the merger; it is a significant milestone that opens up a grand vision for the country in the new era - an era of progress, creativity, prosperity, civilization, and happiness.
4. Quickly improve institutions and create strong impetus for Ho Chi Minh City's development in the new phase.
Immediately after the merger, the Ho Chi Minh City government focused on building and perfecting the institutional system to quickly bring the new Ho Chi Minh City into stable, effective, and efficient operation, creating strong driving forces to meet the development needs in the new phase.
In particular, to remove bottlenecks and create momentum for breakthrough development of the megacity in the new phase after the merger, Ho Chi Minh City is focusing on researching and amending Resolution 98/2023 on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City, with many outstanding mechanisms and policies.
The National Assembly's approval of Resolution 98, amended and supplemented on December 11th, has created extremely important institutional runways for Ho Chi Minh City to unlock all resources, create new momentum in attracting investment, and empower the Ho Chi Minh City government to proactively make its own development decisions.
In addition, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council has adopted 217 resolutions, laying the foundation for the city government to implement many new mechanisms and policies, contributing to promoting socio-economic development and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
5. Ho Chi Minh City promotes the spirit of national unity in carrying out social welfare activities, showcasing the beauty of a compassionate city.
Besides its dynamism and creativity, Ho Chi Minh City is also known as a city of compassion and solidarity. This spirit is affirmed through many social welfare activities caring for the lives of the people, such as the "National Unity Day" series of events; organizing Tet celebrations with over 367,036 gift packages totaling over 265 billion VND; implementing 541 projects in response to the "City of a Thousand Colors of Flowers" movement; and actively deploying the "Popular Education Movement"...
The Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City has been weaving a strong social security network, spreading the spirit of solidarity and mutual support within the community.
6. Ho Chi Minh City's economy experiences a leap forward, with the launch of an international financial center.
2025 marks a significant turning point in Ho Chi Minh City's development. The city's economy continues to experience rapid growth amidst global economic uncertainties. The estimated GRDP for 2025 is approximately 8%, with the economy reaching nearly 2.97 trillion VND, contributing about 23% of the national GDP.
Per capita income reached approximately US$8,755, demonstrating that growth has not only expanded in scale but also permeated the quality of life for the people. State budget revenue in the area is estimated to exceed VND 800,000 billion, surpassing the set plan, creating significant room for the city to continue investing in infrastructure, social welfare, and long-term development programs.
A strategically significant highlight is the official launch and gradual development of Ho Chi Minh City as an international financial center.
Overall, 2025 marks the milestone when Ho Chi Minh City will have completed its socio-economic targets and laid important foundations for a new development cycle.
7. Metro Line 1 was inaugurated, and a series of key projects were started and completed.
The year 2025 marks a significant transformation for Ho Chi Minh City with the inauguration and operation of numerous infrastructure, transportation, and urban projects, creating a new, modern, and civilized appearance.
A historic milestone was reached when the first metro line (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) was inaugurated on March 9th, marking its commercial operation. This is Ho Chi Minh City's first subway line, becoming a reality and opening a new chapter for the city's modern, green, and sustainable public transportation system.
In 2025, Ho Chi Minh City will also inaugurate and implement a series of other key projects, creating a remarkable development picture that reflects the strategic vision and aspiration for growth of Ho Chi Minh City in 2025 and the years to come.
8. Ho Chi Minh City's tourism sector achieves comprehensive breakthroughs - elevating to international standards.
2025 marks a comprehensive breakthrough for Ho Chi Minh City's tourism sector as the city pioneers the "Event within an Event" model, simultaneously hosting four large-scale international events: ITE HCMC 2025, the 12th General Assembly of the Tourism Promotion Organization of Global Cities (TPO), Vietnam International Sourcing, and the Ho Chi Minh City Export Forum. This will create an International Economic and Tourism Week, positioning Vietnam as a focal point for regional cooperation, investment promotion, and policy dialogue.
9. Vigorously pursue digital transformation, pioneer in digital school and digital hospital models, and improve the quality of education and healthcare for the people.
In 2025, Ho Chi Minh City launched a comprehensive and synchronized digital transformation revolution across government, education, and healthcare, clearly affirming its development orientation based on data, technology, and serving the people.
With strong political determination, a systematic approach, and a people-centered approach, Ho Chi Minh City has proven that digital transformation is the key to building an honest and innovative government; a happy education system; and a compassionate healthcare system.
10. Ho Chi Minh City promotes the development of science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
2025 marks a strategic shift for Ho Chi Minh City in the development of science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, initiating the implementation of Resolution 57.
In its role as a facilitator and leader, the Ho Chi Minh City government consistently works alongside the scientific, technological, and business communities, promoting connectivity, cooperation, and sharing to effectively mobilize intellectual, technological, and market resources.
The milestones of 2025 affirm Ho Chi Minh City's consistent vision: Science, technology, and innovation are strategic choices for rapid, sustainable development and deep integration in the digital age.
11. Ho Chi Minh City - UNESCO's film city and a testament to its creative cultural and sporting heritage.
In 2025, Ho Chi Minh City will be recognized by UNESCO as the first Creative Cinema City in Southeast Asia, marking a significant milestone and affirming its role as a dynamic center of Vietnamese cinema.
12. The armed forces and police of Ho Chi Minh City received the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, building and consolidating a solid national defense and security posture, ensuring absolute safety for Ho Chi Minh City's development.
In 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City armed forces, along with two units of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department – the Internal Security Department and the Special Criminal Investigation Team – were awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces.
13. Ho Chi Minh City's Foreign Relations in 2025: Elevating its position - Promoting cooperation - Spreading confidence
Ho Chi Minh City's foreign affairs work has made a strong impact, from strategy to practice, across all pillars: political diplomacy, economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and people-to-people exchanges. The city has successfully organized more than 70 regional and international foreign affairs events in the fields of politics, economics, culture, and tourism.
The efforts and achievements in Ho Chi Minh City's foreign affairs work in 2025 will not only affirm the city's pioneering role in local-level international cooperation but also contribute to spreading the spirit of "diplomacy serving development," fostering trust, promoting cooperation, and enhancing the role, prestige, and position of Vietnam in general, and Ho Chi Minh City in particular - as an "open city," a safe, friendly, and promising destination in the region and the world.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-moi-nguoi-dan-binh-chon-10-dau-an-noi-bat-nam-2025-post829474.html
![[Photo] Delegation attending the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union visits the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/03/1780451842301_ndo_br_img-3824-jpg.webp)
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