By 2045, Vietnam aims to have at least five cities of international stature

The government has issued Resolution No. 80/CP dated 2 April 2026, amending, supplementing and updating the Government’s Action Program implementing Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW dated 24 January 2022 on planning, construction, management and sustainable urban development in Vietnam through 2030 with a vision to 2045, and Conclusions No. 224-KL/TW dated 8 December 2025 of the Politburo on continuing the implementation of Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW.

The Action Program is designed to unify direction across levels and sectors, ensure the thorough dissemination of its contents and strict, effective implementation of Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW and Conclusion No. 224-KL/TW, and create a clear shift in awareness and actions among leaders toward planning and sustainable urban development.

Urban development targets through 2030 and a vision to 2045

By 2030, the nationwide urbanization rate is targeted to exceed 50%. The program sets interim targets of at least 45% by 2025 and over 50% by 2030. The share of urban land in natural land area is expected to be about 1.5–1.9% by 2025 and about 1.9–2.3% by 2030.

The number of urban areas nationwide is expected to reach about 950–1,000 by 2025 and about 1,000–1,200 by 2030. By 2025, 100% of existing and new urban areas are to have master plans, zoning plans, renovation and urban development programs. The program also calls for at least 100% of medium and large urban areas to meet infrastructure criteria, with emphasis on health, education, training and urban cultural facilities.

By 2030, some national and regional urban centers are expected to meet health, education, training and cultural indicators at the urban level comparable to the average of the four leading ASEAN countries.

Land use, green space and housing space

For urban land use, the share of transport land in urban built land is targeted at about 11–16% by 2025 and 16–26% by 2030. Average green space per person in urban areas is targeted at about 6–8 m2 by 2025 and 8–10 m2 by 2030. The average floor area per urban resident is set at at least 28 m2 by 2025 and at least 32 m2 by 2030.

Digital infrastructure and payments

By 2025, fiber-optic broadband infrastructure is expected to cover more than 80% of urban households, alongside universal 4G and 5G mobile networks and smartphones. By 2025, more than 80% of adults in urban areas are targeted to have electronic payment accounts. By 2030, the program calls for universal broadband Internet access, 5G coverage and electronic payment accounts for 100% of urban adults.

Economic contribution and urban brands

The urban economy is expected to contribute about 75% of national GDP by 2025 and about 85% by 2030. The share of the digital economy in the gross regional domestic product of centrally governed urban areas is expected to average 25–30% by 2025 and 35–40% by 2030.

The program also aims to develop a national and regional network of urban centers and 3–5 urban brands recognized domestically and internationally by 2030.

Development direction for 2045

By 2045, Vietnam’s urbanization rate is expected to be in the upper-middle tier of ASEAN and Asia. The urban system is to be connected as a synchronized, unified and balanced network across regions, with resilience to climate change, disasters and disease, while protecting the environment. The program calls for iconic, green, modern and smart urban forms.

At least five cities are targeted to reach international prominence and act as hubs for regional and international development, with the urban economy modernizing through strong green and digital economy sectors.

Key tasks and implementation focus

To achieve these targets, ministries and government agencies, as well as People’s Committees of provinces and centrally run cities, are directed to focus on key tasks including:

• Aligning awareness and action on planning, construction, management and sustainable urban development in Vietnam.
• Enhancing the quality of planning and planning governance to meet sustainable urban development requirements.
• Investing in a coherent, modern urban infrastructure system that is resilient to climate change.
• Continuing to implement ongoing programs for upgrading urban areas; studying and formulating regulations under current laws on construction, renovation and development of urban areas at national, provincial and municipal levels to concretize the targets of Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW, with priority investments in at least 100 representative, resilient, smart, culturally distinctive urban centers with advanced infrastructure.
• Developing specialized tasks and programs.
• Building mechanisms, policies and legal documents; completing institutional mechanisms and legal frameworks; studying and proposing laws regulating urban management and development; revising the Housing Law (No. 27/2023/QH15) and the Real Estate Business Law (No. 29/2023/QH15); and studying laws regulating underground space management.