Expectations of multi-center megacities
At the workshop on Planning Vision and Economic Development Drivers for the New Ho Chi Minh City recently organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Dr. Tran Du Lich said that the new Ho Chi Minh City has outstanding characteristics. The city possesses a unique geo-economic position as it is located in the center of the North Pacific - Madagascar axis. Previously, the three localities of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong province and Ba Ria - Vung Tau developed according to separate administrative boundaries, lacking connections. Now, the development mindset is changing, no longer each locality develops separately, but is closely connected to grow together as a unified entity.
This unified economic zone has all the elements to become Asia's leading industrial - logistics - financial center if it knows how to promote its unique industrial and high-tech strengths.
Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh, Director of the University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that Ho Chi Minh City is expected to become a multi-centered megacity, the leading economic - financial - logistics center in Southeast Asia. To realize the vision, a long-term planning strategy is needed with the support of experts, businesses and the community, especially on the basis of State - University - Business - Community cooperation associated with the natural environment.
According to Professor Thanh, along with expanding administrative boundaries, it is necessary to restructure urban space in a multi-center direction, creating new growth poles, while promoting close connections with neighboring regions. This approach goes beyond traditional planning thinking that is limited by administrative boundaries, instead building a flexible, multi-layered regional governance model that adapts to the modern development context.
Unlocking private sector resources
Contributing his opinion, Dr. Le Quoc Hung, Deputy Director of the National Institute for Urban and Rural Planning, said that the formation of the new megacity of Ho Chi Minh City is a strategic historical decision. And this “development triangle” is not only an economic resonance but also a test of the capacity for joint governance, requiring overcoming localism.
Another challenge is to address the lack of infrastructure and integrate transportation, energy, and waste systems for a population of 14 million. “We need to develop a master plan, not simply combine three old plans, and create a unified vision while still respecting the specific characteristics of each region,” said Dr. Hung.
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The new Ho Chi Minh City is expected to develop rapidly. (Photo in article: T.Giang) |
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Hieu, Vietnam-Germany University, said that it is necessary to focus on the challenges of transport infrastructure, especially the urban railway system to connect the centers. In addition, it is necessary to simultaneously improve the quality of life through affordable services, creating an attractive living environment for people.
According to many other opinions, Ho Chi Minh City needs breakthrough growth drivers, notably developing wind power clusters, building a modern logistics ecosystem, and promoting innovation. These drivers must be supported synchronously from physical infrastructure to digital infrastructure, creating a foundation for green growth and the digital economy.
Ho Chi Minh City is the area that concentrates nearly 50% of the country's private enterprises, so removing institutional, land and capital barriers for the private economic sector is a prerequisite to unlocking resources.
Along with that, Ho Chi Minh City needs to create a real innovation ecosystem, including legal sandboxes, technology testing spaces, interdisciplinary innovation centers and a model of close connection between universities and businesses, creating a favorable environment for creative ideas to develop and commercialize.
In order for the new Ho Chi Minh City to develop sustainably and maintain its role as an economic locomotive, removing “bottlenecks” in the supply chain is an urgent requirement. The city needs to invest heavily in the inland container depot (ICD) system and build a multimodal seaport network connecting the inner city to key economic zones. Expanding to the sea will create conditions for the newly merged Ho Chi Minh City to become a maritime logistics center, an energy center, an industrial port and an important waterway tourism destination.
Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and Binh Duong province have just held a conference on reorganizing departments, branches and public service units to implement Resolution 202/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly on reorganizing provincial-level administrative units.
Accordingly, the new Ho Chi Minh City was formed on the basis of the arrangement of 3 localities, and will officially come into operation from July 1, with an area of over 6,772km², a population of over 14 million people, including 168 communes, wards, and administrative zones.
The leaders of the three localities pledged to coordinate closely and promptly complete legal and administrative procedures to maintain the implementation progress in accordance with the Central Government's direction. After July 1, the entire political system of Ho Chi Minh City will be put into operation, operate smoothly, continue to carry out the task of socio-economic development, and care for the material and spiritual life of the people.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/hoi-thao-cac-dong-luc-phat-trien-kinh-te-cho-tp-ho-chi-minh-moi-post552245.html
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