File photo for reference only

 

In a visionary stride towards enhanced urban living, Ho Chi Minh City is ambitiously aiming to secure a spot among the world's Top 100 most liveable cities by 2030, with aspirations extending to 2045. This vision, spearheaded by Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee, Nguyen Van Duoc, seeks to transform Vietnam's economic powerhouse into a haven of development opportunities, comprehensive healthcare, an enriched education system, and a pristine environment promoting safety and well-being.

 

Chairman Duoc poetically compared the city to a "living organism," with its 168 communes and wards acting as vital "cells". The robustness of this organism, he asserts, depends on the strength and livability of each cell.

 

A cornerstone of the city's approach is the development of Sai Gon ward, dubbed the city’s "heart". Here, plans include an annual budget revenue increase of 3-5%, a remarkable 50% boost in per capita income, and a poverty rate driven below 0.5% by 2030. The focus is on creating urban civility with cultural benchmarks that impact all 14 neighbourhoods, alongside recognising 98% of households as "families of culture".

 

In Di An ward, the most populous of the city, the spotlight is on humane urban development with plans to augment the per capita income by 5.47% and ensure universal access to clean water. The focus on infrastructure is evident, with ambitions for 100% of roads to be paved and illuminated, supported by a 12.2% average growth rate annually.

 

Ba Ria ward shares these aspirations, targeting a robust growth rate of 11% and per capita income of 334 million VND (around 480,640 Thai Baht) annually. This represents a significant 76% increase from 2025, reflecting the city's stalwart commitment to citizen well-being and urban civility.

 

Following a recent administrative merger, HCM City now oversees a vast population exceeding 14 million, sprawled across 6,772.59 square kilometres, positioning it as a pivotal entity within the Southern Key Economic Region. With this expansion, Duoc envisions new growth opportunities that bolster the city's journey to world-ranking urban livability.

 

The roadmap for 2025–2030 is dotted with ambitious milestones, including an annual GRDP growth rate of 10-11%, with aims to reach a per capita GRDP of 14,000–15,000 USD (about 525,000 Thai Baht) by 2030. Plans to mobilise societal investment capital at 35-40% of GRDP and usher in a digital economy constituting 30-40% of GRDP are integral to this vision.

 

Chairman Duoc underscores a holistic approach that blends economic prowess with social advancement. Substantial investments in healthcare, education, and the intellectual growth of future generations are planned, alongside a steadfast commitment to reducing socio-economic disparities, especially in newly merged areas.

 

For these ambitions to materialise, a shift from a "control" to a "service" model is essential, positioning citizens and businesses as valued "customers" while improving public service delivery.

 

Duoc further emphasised that transforming into a liveable city transcends economic metrics. It involves creating an environment free from pollution, congestion, and unsightly waste, coupled with access to safe and hygienic food. These principles, he concluded, are pivotal to achieving the liveable city status the residents of Ho Chi Minh City rightfully expect and deserve.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Vietnam Plus 2025-08-29

 

Notice not a single mention of any kind of hub.

Don't they need to figure out a way to connect the new airport to central HCMC easily and without tons of traffic? I think they should figure that out first. 

19 hours ago, blaze master said:

Notice not a single mention of any kind of hub.

It also doesn't mention anything that they are actually going to do apart from pave some roads. It is just a lot of words.

And breaking in to the top 100 - great ambition!

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

It also doesn't mention anything that they are actually going to do apart from pave some roads. It is just a lot of words.

And breaking in to the top 100 - great ambition!

 

They are clearly doing something right vs what Thailand is doing. One is on the up the other is on a downward spiral.

They got an eye on stealing Thailand's fire and will do as I assume their leadership has linear direction vs circular direction of this endless clown circus of  ideas and reversals or endless tweaks.

Viets rank high for IQ maybe and I assume their leadership is quite savvy.