Ho Chi Minh City Enhances Development Zones and Local Diplomatic Relations

Building Stronger Diplomatic Ties in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City has recently showcased its ambition to become a central hub for global resource connectivity and local diplomacy. This was highlighted during the 3rd Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue (FD 2026), which took place from September 10 to 12, 2026, in Vung Tau Ward. The event attracted renowned leaders and representatives from various foreign municipalities and international organizations, all gathering to discuss innovative strategies in city diplomacy. This year's dialogue theme, "City Diplomacy as a Driving Force for Innovation and Sustainable Development," emphasizes the importance of local governance in fostering international collaboration and innovation.

During the mayoral conference at FD 2026, city leaders exchanged ideas on utilizing local diplomacy to attract technological resources and talent, aiming to develop a modern urban ecosystem that nurtures sustainable growth. Participants advocated for practical solutions to encourage businesses to invest in research and development (R&D) while also advancing collaborations among ports to meet future sustainability standards.

A noteworthy outcome of the conference was the unanimous support for establishing a multilateral cooperative mechanism among cities, particularly focused on port-related collaboration. This initiative aims to create a forum where these cities can share experiences and data, enhancing connections, and coordinating efforts to expand markets and streamline supply chains.

New Development Phase for Ho Chi Minh City

Since the merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau on July 1, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City has entered a significant new phase of development, effectively increasing its area to over 6,770 square kilometers and its population to more than 14 million. The expanded city now embodies Vietnam's three most dynamic growth poles: a financial, commercial, and services hub in the urban core; a high-tech industrial area in Binh Duong; and a deep-water port system in Vung Tau, designed to boost the marine economy, energy sector, and coastal tourism.

This new developmental landscape is backed by essential legal frameworks, notably the Law on Urban Development, passed by the National Assembly on August 24, 2026, and further supported by the Political Bureau's Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW, which sets ambitious economic goals for the city, including a GDP per capita of $14,000 by 2030 and $75,000 by 2045.

Local diplomacy is identified as a vital channel for translating this development potential into actionable resources. This includes improving connections with international financial centers, attracting experts and high-tech investment for the urban core, facilitating investment and technology transfer for the Binh Duong industrial area, and creating a forum for multilateral cooperation among ports focused on green port management.

Expanding International Relationships

Ho Chi Minh City has established a robust network of foreign relations, currently collaborating with 88 foreign municipalities and almost 20 international partners globally. It serves as a prime destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), with over 20,000 active projects contributing significantly to the flow of technology and essential national development resources. The city's economic performance in the first six months of 2026 reached nearly $60 billion, marking the highest level in the last decade and accounting for almost a quarter of Vietnam's GDP.

Strategically, the city is bolstered by regional infrastructures such as the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster, now recognized as the largest deep-water port complex in southern Vietnam, ranking 19th worldwide for its capacity to handle large vessels, with capabilities for ships weighing up to 250,000 DWT. Furthermore, the Phu My 3 Industrial Park, developed as a collaborative model between Vietnam and Japan, adheres to strict environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

The successful execution of FD 2026 not only showcases the city's competencies in modern urban management but also opens up avenues for attracting high-quality investments, green technologies, and advanced logistics solutions. It illustrates Vietnam's effective local diplomacy, further enhancing the country's reputation on the international stage and solidifying its role in global value chains. With these initiatives, Ho Chi Minh City is making significant strides towards its vision as a cornerstone in the global economic landscape.