Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc met major companies on October 17 to discuss investment projects during the first nine months and plans for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The city's economy grew 9.06% in the first nine months. To reach the annual target of 10.2%, growth in the fourth quarter must reach at least 13.23%.
Disbursement by private investors remained low, at 5% to 10%, while public investment disbursement reached about 75% in the third quarter. Nguyen Van Duoc asked companies to identify problems the city could help resolve and said: "The city for business, business for the city; the city for the country, the country for the city."
65 major projects with total capital above VND 2.4 quadrillion
Hoang Vu Thanh, director of Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Finance, said the city manages about 65 major projects with expected capital of up to VND 2.4 quadrillion. They include about 50 public-private partnership projects worth VND 1.58 quadrillion and 15 private projects worth VND 844.803 trillion.
The city attracted USD 17.86 billion in foreign direct investment in the first nine months, reaching 162% of its annual plan. By September 2026, it had more than 21,900 active foreign-invested projects worth USD 156.8 billion. About USD 4.7 billion was disbursed. Domestic investment reached VND 71.537 trillion and is expected to approach VND 108.9 trillion for the year.
The city is preparing BT contracts for October 2026, including the Long Thanh–Ho Tram expressway, Can Gio Bridge, Phu My 2 Bridge and two components of the administrative center. Companies cited unfinished feasibility approvals, delayed negotiating teams, site clearance, a shortage of material disposal sites and delayed compensation land as obstacles. They proposed using Decree No. 377/2026 and completing BT contracts in October and November.
Sun Group representative Pham Quoc Quan asked the city to speed up the BT contract for the administrative center project, with capital of about VND 29 trillion. The investor plans to disburse VND 4 trillion in 2026. For the Ben Nha Rong area improvement project, the investor aims to complete the first phase by Tet after receiving a cleared site in October; planned disbursement is about VND 2 trillion.
Company and strategic investor representatives signed an action commitment with the People's Committee and confirmed their intention to meet the private investment target and help the city achieve double-digit growth in 2026.
"What has been said must be done, and what has been signed must be carried out"
Nguyen Van Duoc called on companies to fulfil their commitments: "What has been said must be done, and what has been signed must be carried out. I ask companies to fulfil what they have committed to."
He assigned Nguyen Cong Vinh to oversee targets of 40% disbursement for foreign investment and 30% for domestic capital. Relevant departments must speed up investment procedures and resolve companies' obstacles.
Sources: Thanh Niên
