Ho Chi Minh City has declared “Streamlining organizational structure for greater efficiency and effectiveness” as its key theme for 2025, alongside advancing digital transformation, addressing unresolved issues, and implementing Resolution No. 98.

Vision for growth and reform

Deputy Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, Duong Ngoc Hai, outlined the city’s objectives at a conference reviewing 2024’s socio-economic progress and unveiling 2025’s plans.

For 2025, the city targets a gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth rate exceeding 10%, with the service sector contributing over 60% of GRDP.

Additionally, digital economy contributions are projected to reach 25%, while GRDP per capita is expected to rise to $8,500. The city also aims for a public investment disbursement rate above 95%.

Achievements and challenges in 2024

Reporting on 2024, Hai noted that HCMC achieved a GRDP growth rate of 7.17%, slightly below the 7.5% target. Public investment disbursement reached 76.9% by December, with an estimated 81.4% disbursed by January 2025.

Total state budget revenue for the year was approximately 508.55 trillion VND, exceeding projections by 5.3% and reflecting a 13.3% year-on-year increase.

The city’s export turnover reached $46 billion, an 8.3% increase compared to 2023, while imports grew by 5.9% to $58.6 billion. Real estate also saw progress, with 34 out of 64 stalled projects resolved and ongoing efforts to address the remainder.

HCMC issued 5,789 first-time land and housing ownership certificates and processed 367,573 property ownership updates for organizations and individuals.

In business development, approximately 52,500 new enterprises were established with a combined registered capital of 400 trillion VND, reflecting declines of 1.2% in the number of firms and 16.6% in registered capital compared to 2023.

Meanwhile, 15,800 businesses resumed operations, marking a 21% increase, while 4,200 enterprises completed dissolution procedures - a 3.6% rise.

Employment and public safety

In 2024, HCMC created 150,000 new jobs and facilitated employment for 330,000 individuals. Urban unemployment was recorded at 3.81%.

However, the city also faced significant challenges in public safety. It recorded 4,724 social order violations, resulting in 65 deaths, 412 injuries, and property damage totaling 1.37 trillion VND. Drug-related offenses surged, with 3,162 cases involving 8,163 offenders, a 50% increase from 2023.

HCMC also encountered 641 cases of cyber fraud and 385 fire incidents, which caused 15 deaths and 17 injuries.

Looking ahead, HCMC’s leadership is committed to making its administrative apparatus more efficient and responsive while driving economic growth and addressing lingering issues.

With ambitious targets for GRDP, public investment, and digital transformation, 2025 is set to be a transformative year for the city.

Ho Van