With its dynamic, creative, compassionate traditions and groundbreaking mechanisms, Ho Chi Minh City confidently enters a glorious era.
Resolution 09/2026 of the Politburo is seen as a "golden opportunity" for Ho Chi Minh City to make a breakthrough. The vision for 2075 not only aims for a modern city, but also represents a commitment to providing a green living environment and equitable access to resources for all segments of the population.
The "golden key" to enabling the "locomotive" to accelerate.
Ho Chi Minh City is not only the largest economic center in the country, but also a hub of culture, knowledge, capital, entrepreneurial spirit... and the aspirations of many people for a better life.
From every street, harbor, and traditional market to skyscrapers and creative spaces, we can easily feel the city's unique vitality. It's a spirit of openness, daring to experiment, and a desire to be ahead, forming the solid foundation of the city.
Therefore, Resolution 09 not only sets out tasks for economic development or urban planning, but more profoundly, it also awakens the immense spiritual resources of a city that constantly reinvents itself in the face of difficulties and challenges.
The core breakthrough of Resolution 09 is the requirement to enact a Law on Special Cities. A megacity cannot operate under conventional mechanisms. For a "locomotive" to accelerate, it needs sufficiently wide and modern tracks. This law is the "golden key," granting Ho Chi Minh City commensurate authority to innovate, promote decentralization, mobilize resources, develop infrastructure, attract talent, and flexibly handle specific issues.
However, decentralization does not mean lax management. A more open mechanism demands greater transparency, accountability, and always placing the interests of the people at the center. The city has the autonomy to make decisions more quickly, but the ultimate goal of every policy decision must answer the question: How will the quality of life for the people be improved?
Holistic development of culture and people
The goal of becoming a global city poses a major challenge in developing world-class tourism .
Ho Chi Minh City cannot simply promote itself as a bustling shopping center or a hectic construction site. The city needs to build a truly distinctive urban brand with a deep cultural identity, where every street corner tells a vibrant story of history, integration, creativity, and aspiration for progress.
Visitors to Ho Chi Minh City come not only to admire the skyscrapers, but also to fully experience the warm urban life of the South; to stroll along streets steeped in history; to savor the essence of street food and experience the unique riverine culture.
Resolution 09 of the Politburo has given Ho Chi Minh City a "golden opportunity" to make a breakthrough. Photo: HOANG TRIEU
Therefore, the tourism strategy must be closely linked to the cultural industry, the night-time economy, performing arts, international conferences, and regional events. Ho Chi Minh City needs to create products that are sufficiently distinctive and high-class, while simultaneously improving transportation infrastructure and promoting civilized tourism behavior.
Beyond macroeconomic goals, the most fundamental and humane aspect is the requirement for the comprehensive development of culture and people: civilized, modern, and compassionate. The prestige of a global city is not measured solely by its GDP, underground metro lines, overpasses, or financial centers. It is also measured by the quality of its people, by the kindness in their daily lives. This includes caring for and providing safe and peaceful living spaces for children, the elderly, vulnerable groups, and immigrants.
A global metropolis is a place that cherishes the memories of the past, nurtures creativity, and creates equal opportunities for all to thrive. The concept of "compassion and solidarity" has long been an invaluable asset, deeply ingrained in the blood of the people of Ho Chi Minh City. It embodies generosity, sharing resources in times of hardship, and supporting countless individuals who have come here to build their lives. The city will grow taller, wider, and smarter, but it must certainly be more humane.
To turn that aspiration into reality, culture must be the guiding principle of urban governance strategy. Culture should not be limited to festivals or movements, but must deeply permeate spatial planning, architecture, transportation, healthcare, education, digital transformation, and the well-being of citizens. Every new building must enhance the city's appearance. Every policy enacted must make citizens feel respected. Every public space must connect the community.
Resolution 09 opens a historical journey full of challenges but also immense pride. With its dynamic, creative, compassionate traditions and groundbreaking mechanisms, Ho Chi Minh City confidently enters a glorious era. The crucial task now is to translate the spirit of the resolution into practical action; to transform the 100-year vision into today's policies; and to turn the aspiration of a global city into a daily, prosperous quality of life for its people. Only then will Ho Chi Minh City continue to be a proud symbol of a Vietnam rising in the new era.
Century-long planning
Alongside legislation, the Ho Chi Minh City master plan with a 100-year vision is a fundamental requirement. This is not merely a blueprint dividing functional zones or routes, but a design for a truly global city. In it, Ho Chi Minh City clearly defines its position in the Asia-Pacific region; closely connects with the Southeast region and the Mekong Delta; and unlocks the potential of the Can Gio coastal area and the Saigon River ecosystem.
Century-long planning helps overcome short-term thinking and resolutely refuses to sacrifice the environment for economic growth. Global cities are not built solely on concrete; modernity must be reflected in expansive public spaces, green transportation, intelligent governance, preservation of green areas, and the cultivation of a humane community life.
(To be continued)
(*) See Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, issue dated May 27th.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/xay-dung-va-phat-trien-tp-hcm-trong-ky-nguyen-moi-khoi-day-nguon-luc-tinh-than-to-lon-196260528203252361.htm
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