#Vietnam #Ho Chi Minh City #Urban Development #Diplomacy

Ho Chi Minh City Expands Development Zones and Enhances Local Diplomacy

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has affirmed its role as a crucial hub for global resource connectivity and the advancement of local diplomacy. The recent third iteration of the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue (FD 2026), held from September 10 to 12 in Vung Tau Ward, marked a significant step towards international collaboration and strategic planning.

The event, themed "Urban Diplomacy as a Motor for Innovation and Sustainable Development," gathered leaders from various foreign regions and international organizations. Their goal was to share strategic perspectives regarding local diplomacy and proactive steps towards international integration. During the Mayor's Conference, discussions revolved around leveraging local diplomacy to attract technological resources and talent, aimed at constructing a modern urban ecosystem that encourages sustainable growth.

Participants proposed various solutions intended to motivate businesses to invest in research and development (R&D), commercialize innovation outcomes, and enhance the role of local governments in promoting port cooperation and adhering to next-generation sustainability standards. One key outcome of the dialogue was the endorsement for a multilateral cooperation initiative among cities concerning maritime ports. This aims to establish a periodic forum for experience sharing, data exchange, and the improvement of connections and coordination among ports, ultimately opening markets and establishing supply chains that meet new sustainability benchmarks.

A New Profile for Deep-Water Ports

Following its merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau on July 1, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City has embarked on a new development phase, covering over 6,770 square kilometers and housing a population exceeding 14 million. The expanded city encompasses three of Vietnam's most dynamic growth centers: a financial, commercial, and technological service hub at its urban core; a high-tech industrial manufacturing base in Binh Duong; and a robust deep-water port system, maritime economy, energy sector, and coastal tourism in Vung Tau.

This extensive developmental landscape is bolstered by crucial legal frameworks, including the Urban Development Law approved by the National Assembly on August 24, 2026, and Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW by the Political Bureau on May 19, 2026. These resolutions set ambitious targets, projecting a per capita GRDP of $14,000 by 2030 and $75,000 by 2045.

Local diplomacy serves as a vital conduit for translating this development potential into tangible resources. By forging connections with international financial centers and attracting high-tech expertise and capital to the urban core, the city seeks to foster investment, facilitate technology transfer, and expand the supply chain for the Binh Duong industrial park. Additionally, the city is establishing a forum for multilateral port cooperation, sharing best practices in sustainable port management, and linking Vung Tau's maritime economic zone with global logistics chains.

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City maintains an expansive network of international relationships, featuring friendship and cooperation ties with 88 foreign regions and nearly 20 global organizations and partners. The city remains a critical destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), boasting over 20,000 active FDI projects that contribute significantly to capital flows and national development resources. In the first half of 2026, the city’s economy reached nearly $60 billion, the highest in a decade, accounting for almost 25% of the national GDP and over 30% of total state budget revenues.

Strategic infrastructures continue to reinforce the city's developmental stance. The Cai Mep - Thi Vai port complex, the largest deep-water port complex in southern Vietnam, ranks 19th globally in its capacity to accommodate large vessels, with an average depth of 14 meters capable of receiving ships up to 250,000 DWT. Furthermore, the Phu My 3 Specialized Industrial Park, exemplifying collaborative efforts between Vietnam and Japan, is being developed under eco-friendly principles and industrial symbiosis, adhering to strict ESG standards and sustainable development criteria.

These strategic advantages are generating fresh momentum, enhancing the city's internal capabilities while improving its appeal to high-tech resources and green industries for future growth. The successful hosting of FD 2026 not only showcases the city’s modern urban governance but also provides a direct channel for attracting high-quality investments, green technologies, and advanced logistics. This reinforces Vietnam's position as a model of effective local diplomacy.

Ho Chi Minh City is paving the way for Vietnam’s enhanced global standing, as it aligns with national foreign policy goals to transform local governance issues into vital components for success, showcasing that diplomacy is both a local responsibility and a key driver for broader national objectives.

For more details, visit the official FD 2026 website.