Ho Chi Minh City aims to become a multipolar global mega-city, with a population projected to reach 18 million by 2030 and more than 27 million by 2050 under a 100-year vision master plan now under review.
The master plan is a major item on the agenda of the sixth session of the 11th-term city People's Council, which opened on Thursday.
During the October 29-30 session, city lawmakers are considering 47 proposals and draft resolutions focused on three connected areas: strategic planning and spatial vision, institutional mechanisms to unlock resources, and public investment allocation for major projects.
A 100-year vision for a global mega-city
The city's master plan for 2025-50, with a 100-year vision, covers an enlarged administrative area of approximately 6,773 square kilometres across 168 administrative units, following the city's strategic merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.
Nguyen Manh Cuong, vice chairman of the municipal People's Committee, said the city's population is projected to reach 18 million by 2030, 25 million by 2045 and more than 27 million by 2050.
The city is shifting towards a multipolar, multi-centre urban model connected to river and maritime ecosystems to support this demographic scale.
Key growth drivers include expanding transit-oriented development and metro networks, developing next-generation industrial parks and free-trade zones, and building an international financial centre and integrated logistics hubs.
Vo Van Minh, chairman of the municipal People's Council, said the city must transcend administrative and sectoral boundaries rather than rely on traditional planning models.
"The guiding principle throughout this master plan is to transcend rigid administrative and sectoral boundaries, organising Ho Chi Minh City into a unified, multipolar and multi-centre entity," Minh said.
He called for science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to be used as key growth engines, while putting people and their quality of life at the centre of development.
He also called for rigorous assessment of spatial planning models to ensure balanced provision of land, transport infrastructure and social services while addressing pressing urban challenges such as traffic congestion, severe flooding and environmental pollution.
Key infrastructure and policy reforms
Alongside spatial planning, the People's Council is reviewing 17 draft resolutions implementing the national Urban Development Law.
The measures aim to unlock financial resources through urban and project bonds issued via the International Financial Centre and provide incentives for high-tech zones, healthcare workers, cultural preservation and sports institutions.
Lawmakers are adjusting the city's medium-term public investment portfolio for 2026-30 to prioritise critical transport and environmental projects.
Key transport initiatives include upgrading and expanding the Phan Anh-An Duong Vuong road corridor from Hoa Binh Street to Ba Hom Street, as well as adjusting investment plans for the expansion of Tan Ky Tan Quy Street from Le Trong Tan Street to Cong Hoa Street.
In addition, the city will allocate resources for environmental remediation and completion of technical infrastructure along the Bau Trau, Ba Tang and Hy Vong canals.
The session will also review regulations on naming public works, free-trade zones, integrated logistics, rice-land protection and sustainable poverty reduction.
Sources: Viet Nam News
