On the morning of November 14, Ho Chi Minh City’s 10th People's Council closed its fifth session (a special meeting for 2021–2026) after approving 43 core resolutions concerning budget, public investment, policy mechanisms, and legal frameworks, all aimed at aligning the city’s growth with its vast potential.

A call for a ‘super city’ law for HCM City

During the discussion, delegates Vuong Duc Hoang Quan and Tran Quang Thang jointly proposed that the spirit of National Assembly Resolution 98/2023/QH15 - on piloting unique development mechanisms for HCMC - should be codified into law. Drawing comparisons with Hanoi, which has had its own Capital Law for years, they urged the city to proactively draft and propose a “super city law” to fully harness its development opportunities and capabilities.

At the session, members also passed a resolution to revise the city’s 2025 local budget estimates. The total local revenue projection has been adjusted downward to over 271.39 trillion VND (11.1 billion USD), from nearly 275 trillion VND (11.25 billion USD) in the previous estimate under Resolution 409/NQ-HĐND. This reduction of 3.542 trillion VND (145 million USD) reflects carry-over funds from the prior year now incorporated into the balance. Accordingly, the local expenditure estimate has also been reduced from 292.197 trillion VND to 288.655 trillion VND (11.96 to 11.82 billion USD).

Adjustments in public investment and forest land use

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Chairman of HCMC People’s Council Vo Van Minh delivers the closing remarks. Photo: HK

A resolution to amend the city’s 2025 public investment plan was also adopted. The total adjusted local public investment budget was reduced by over 6.532 trillion VND (267 million USD) from the previous estimate approved on July 24, 2025.

Specifically, reserve funds were cut by approximately 2.78 trillion VND (113 million USD), and remaining unallocated funds for projects pending investment approval were reduced by 3.75 trillion VND (154 million USD).

The council also approved the reallocation of 0.15031 hectares of production forest land, originally afforested, in lots 20A and 42A, compartment 5, subzone 11 (in Phu Giao commune) for construction of the 500kV Binh Duong 1 – Song May – Tan Dinh transmission line.

Similarly, it authorized the conversion of 8.07277 hectares of production forest land, also afforested, in multiple lots and compartments within subzone 25A (in Tan Uyen ward), for use in phase 1 of land clearance for the HCMC Ring Road 4 project, from Thu Bien Bridge to Saigon River.

A political commitment to implementation

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Delegates use an online platform to vote on resolutions during the session. Photo: HK

The session also adopted resolutions covering land use, social policy, and local development strategy. These included updated guidelines for economic development, retirement of outdated resolutions from merged localities, and revised policies on subsidizing health insurance for the elderly, students, and patients at specialized hospitals like Nhan Ai, Tam Than, and Ben San.

After a focused and efficient working day, the session concluded on a high note.

In his closing speech, Vo Van Minh, Chairman of HCMC’s People’s Council, said the session’s outcomes were not just legal frameworks but also political commitments - designed to remove barriers, improve the investment climate for citizens and businesses, and serve as a cultural and economic boost for rapid development.

He emphasized that the recent votes to fill leadership positions within the People’s Council and the People’s Committee had been conducted with unity and consensus, strengthening the city’s governance apparatus to meet the demands of the new era.

Minh urged the municipal administration, departments, and local authorities to take a proactive and decisive approach to the remaining tasks of the year.

He called for immediate action to translate the resolutions into concrete programs and action plans - with clear objectives, timelines, and measurable outcomes - while regularly monitoring and resolving implementation challenges. This includes prioritizing the unique resolutions on social-economic development, public investment decentralization, and urban governance.

Quoc Ngoc