Ho Chi Minh City targets over 10% growth in 2026 by leveraging policies and mechanisms

With the goal of achieving growth of more than 10% in 2026, Ho Chi Minh City is implementing a series of decisive measures to remove bottlenecks and effectively leverage policy and mechanism frameworks to sustain development momentum. These efforts not only provide a driving force for the city’s economy but also contribute significantly to the country’s overall development. Ho Chi Minh City posted an impressive start in Q1 2026, with GRDP growth of 8.27%, the highest in five years. This result reflects a robust rebound across sectors including trade, services, tourism, investment attraction, science and technology, and digital transformation. Notably, administrative reform and the rollout of new policies and mechanisms have created a favorable business environment, attracting both domestic and international investors. A key factor behind these achievements is the shift in mindset and working style within the civil service. At the conference, Permanent Vice Chairman of the City’s People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha emphasized that people are the key to realizing major targets. The cadre team has shifted from qualitative thinking to quantitative thinking, from form-based reporting to concrete, measurable results. This not only elevates governance quality but also enhances transparency and efficiency in administration. Besides, Ho Chi Minh City is advancing the use of technology in urban governance and administrative reform. Completing the e-government framework and unified data governance has helped reduce the workload on staff and shorten processing times for businesses. In the last nine months of the year, the city defines its digital transformation strategy based on three pillars: administrative reform, data, and digital platforms. The five priority areas are: health, education, judiciary, urban governance, and administrative reform. In urban governance, the CCTV surveillance system will cover key areas and connect directly to the Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) to promptly handle situations related to security and traffic management. Significantly, in health, Ho Chi Minh City is implementing a free health check program for nearly 15 million residents in 2026. This is a key measure to improve living standards and create a safe, healthy living environment. Not only that, Ho Chi Minh City is preparing to commence a series of breakthrough projects, such as the central square and City Administrative Center, the Warship Wharf Park—Khanhoi, the Ben Thanh – Tham Thien railway line, the Ben Thanh – Can Gio metro line, along with other major infrastructure works. These projects are not only relevant to infrastructure and social welfare but also help unlock resources, accelerate public investment disbursement, stimulate private investment, and drive growth momentum. Ho Chi Minh City stands before a major opportunity to break out. With the foundations already laid and the determination of the government and people, the city can achieve a growth target of over 10% in 2026. This is not merely a number but evidence of sustainable, comprehensive development for the city, contributing to the country’s prosperity.