New urban areas will rise around metro stations, creating internationally standard living and working environments. Integrated and smart transport networks connecting regional and inter-regional hubs will be among Ho Chi Minh City’s top development priorities.

Following the recent merger, Ho Chi Minh City’s total area now spans 6,773 square kilometers, accounting for 2.04% of Vietnam’s territory, providing favorable conditions for developing an integrated metropolitan region.

Accordingly, the draft Political Report for the 1st Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee (2025-2030 term) emphasizes building an intelligent, multimodal transportation system connecting urban, industrial, seaport, airport, and financial centers through urban railways, dedicated inter-regional railways, and expressways.

In the coming years, the city plans to accelerate construction and expansion of key transport arteries such as Ring Roads 2, 3, and 4, along with expressways linking Ho Chi Minh City–Ben Luc–Long Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai, Ho Chi Minh City–Thu Dau Mot–Chon Thanh, and Long Thanh–Ho Tram.

Additionally, a new freight railway corridor connecting Cai Mep–Thi Vai Port to Binh Duong’s industrial zones is expected to ease road congestion and reduce emissions.

Coastal routes and inland waterways will also be developed to serve cargo transport, passenger travel, and tourism.

The draft report also sets a goal to enhance urban planning management efficiency, complete the Thu Thiem New Urban Area before 2030, commence Phase 2 of the Phu My Hung Urban Area, and accelerate the Can Gio coastal urban project, while upgrading surrounding cities such as Vung Tau, Ho Tram, and Phu My.

Ho Chi Minh City aims to develop a network of smart satellite cities connecting the metropolitan core with Di An, Thuan An, Thu Dau Mot, Ben Cat, and Phu My, as well as emerging urban zones surrounding ring roads and expressway intersections.

The city also plans to transform its coastal corridor into a multi-functional growth belt, integrating port, industrial, urban, tourism, and ecological conservation zones.

Green spaces, riverfront landscapes, and cultural spaces will be central to this urban vision. Around metro stations, new communities will follow the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model, blending modern transportation with world-class living and working environments.

A city of connection

Professor Nguyen Quang Trung, co-director of the Asia-Pacific Smart and Sustainable Cities Research Center at RMIT University Vietnam, believes Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s smart urban pioneer and could become a key hub within ASEAN.

According to him, the merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau has created one of Southeast Asia’s largest metropolitan regions.

By 2050, he envisions Ho Chi Minh City as Vietnam’s leading financial, technological, and innovation center, with growing regional influence.

RMIT researchers note that the city’s transformation strategy revolves around the TOD model, emphasizing connectivity through 355 kilometers of metro lines linking the city center to suburban areas by 2035.

Ho Chi Minh City is also focusing on high-density, pedestrian-friendly urban zones with distinct functional clusters. Public investment in 5G infrastructure and AI-driven public services is expanding rapidly.

Inspired by Singapore, Seoul, and Shenzhen, the city aims to align technology development with citizens’ real needs.

Professor Trung emphasizes that the next decade is crucial: “Ho Chi Minh City must act decisively - prioritizing public transport, digital infrastructure, and human capital. AI, data, and digital frameworks are essential for this urban evolution.”

He also highlights the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and innovation-friendly policies, including technology sandboxes, innovation funds, and streamlined procedures to attract investment.

“This urban transition is an opportunity to redefine what an Asian megacity can be,” he said. “The future Ho Chi Minh City will not just grow in size - it will become a place where workers and entrepreneurs coexist, public spaces foster connection, and young people feel they belong, not only to the economy but to the story of the city itself.”

Tran Chung