HCMC targets mega-city of 22 mln people with ‘one-hour mobility’ vision

Ho Chi Minh City is targeting a population of 20-22 million by 2050 and aims to become one of the world’s most livable cities, as Vietnam’s largest economic hub pursues an ambitious transformation into a multi-centered mega-city supported by modern transport infrastructure and a maritime-driven economy.

The municipal People’s Committee has approved the outline for the city’s master plan for the 2021-2050 period, laying the foundation for the metropolis’s long-term development strategy.

According to the plan, the planning scope covers the city’s entire administrative area of about 6,772.59 square kilometers, including 168 administrative units and future sea reclamation areas intended for economic development.

The study will also examine regional connectivity with neighboring provinces including Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, Dong Thap and Lam Dong, as well as surrounding maritime zones.

Under the long-term vision, the city aims to develop into a sustainable, innovative and highly livable mega-city in the Asia-Pacific region, balancing economic growth with environmental protection, cultural development, and social equity.

By 2050, the city targets inclusion among the world’s top 100 cities for quality of life while strengthening its position as a major regional center for finance, trade, logistics, science and technology, and innovation.

One of the most notable aspects of the master plan is the projection that the city’s population could reach around 20-22 million people by 2050.

The city expects average annual gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth of at least 10% during the 2025-2050 period under favorable conditions.

If achieved, HCMC’s GRDP could reach around $1.2 trillion by 2050, comparable to the size of several major regional economies today.

‘One-hour mobility’

To achieve these goals, the city plans to restructure its urban space under a “multi-centered mega-city” model built around a “three regions - three corridors” framework.

Under the strategy, the existing urban core of HCMC will focus on international finance, high-quality services and high technology.

The former Binh Duong area will serve as a high-tech industrial center, while the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau area will focus on maritime economy development, logistics, clean energy and coastal tourism. HCMC, Binh Duong province and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province were merged to form the new HCMC last July.

The three strategic corridors include a north-south corridor running along the Saigon River toward the sea, an eastern corridor linking Ba Ria-Vung Tau with Can Gio, and an east-west corridor connecting Dong Nai and Tay Ninh via National Highway 1A and the Trans-Asia route.

The southern coastal corridor is expected to become the city’s most important development axis over the coming decades, linking the Mekong Delta with HCMC and southeastern Vietnam through Ring Road 3, Ring Road 4 and the Can Gio-Cai Mep-Thi Vai port cluster.

The coastal zone is planned to host a chain of growth-driving urban areas, including logistics cities, airport cities, free trade zones, tourism hubs, and eco-urban developments stretching from Can Gio to Ho Tram.

Alongside expanding urban space, HCMC is also prioritizing a transit-oriented development (TOD) model linked to public transportation systems.

The city plans to study optimal travel distance and mobility patterns with the goal of enabling residents to travel across the metropolitan area within roughly one hour.

Public transport infrastructure will be expanded significantly through metro lines, light rail transit (LRT), monorail systems and both elevated and underground transport solutions aimed at conserving land resources, reducing site clearance pressures, and improving urban transport capacity.