With 2026 seen as a pivotal year, Ho Chi Minh City is racing to complete a series of major transport and urban environment projects set to reshape its metropolitan landscape.

In the course of Doi moi (Renewal) and international integration, infrastructure has been identified as the “lifeblood” of the economy, playing a pivotal role in driving growth and expanding development space.

Metro lines, ring roads and coastal bridges are reshaping Ho Chi Minh City’s skyline and reinforcing its role as Vietnam’s leading economic engine.

As Vietnam closes 2025 with 3,000km of expressways, a new era of rail, airport and seaport megaprojects is taking shape for the next phase of growth.

Airports, high-speed railways and deep-sea ports are expected to power Vietnam’s journey toward industrialization by 2045 and Net Zero by 2050.

City officials commit to finishing the project in 2026, aiming to prevent tidal and stormwater flooding.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on January 31 directed relevant agencies to consider all three investment models - state-funded, private, and public–private partnership (PPP) - for the North - South high-speed railway.

From January 15, the city will break ground on four strategic projects, expected to reshape its urban and transport landscape.

In recent years, Vietnam’s demand for capital to support infrastructure development - in transport, urban planning, energy, digital transformation, and innovation - has grown far beyond what the state budget can sustain.

Long Thanh International Airport is expected to begin commercial operations by mid-2026.

The Ministry of Construction has provided updates on land clearance and related activities for the North–South high-speed railway project, following Vingroup’s recent withdrawal from involvement.

The Ring Road 4 project in Ho Chi Minh City, with a total estimated investment of over 120.4 trillion VND (approximately USD 5 billion), is slated to begin construction between June and September 2026 and reach completion two years later.

On the morning of December 19, Vietnam simultaneously broke ground, inaugurated, or opened 234 infrastructure and development projects across the country, in celebration of the upcoming 14th National Party Congress.

The last five years have marked a turning point for Vietnam’s expressway network, as the country is set to achieve its target of 3,000km by the end of the year and moves steadily towards a 5,000km target by 2030.

Despite challenges from pandemics and climate change, Vietnam marks a milestone in infrastructure with a sweeping network of highways.

If one image could capture the essence of 2025, it wouldn’t be a growth chart or a lengthy report - it would be the construction sites erupting across the country, from north to south.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led a key meeting to finalize the launch of 234 milestone projects ahead of the 14th Party Congress.

VinSpeed High-Speed Rail Investment and Development Joint Stock Company (VinSpeed) has unveiled plans to build the Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed railway by the end of this year and put it into commercial operation in the first quarter of 2028.

On August 19, Vietnam will inaugurate and break ground on 250 projects nationwide, including major highways, bridges, and a new airport.