Vietnam PM Orders Ho Chi Minh City to Cut 50% in Red Tape, Launch Key Projects
Updated
Updated · en.sggp.org.vn · Jun 16
Vietnam PM Orders Ho Chi Minh City to Cut 50% in Red Tape, Launch Key Projects
3 articles · Updated · en.sggp.org.vn · Jun 16
Summary
Ho Chi Minh City was told to halve administrative processing times and compliance costs in Q2, fully disburse public investment plans, and strictly address project delays blamed on subjective causes.
The push is tied to Vietnam’s double-digit growth goal, with the prime minister casting the city as a critical growth pole and ordering updated sector growth scenarios in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, banking and finance.
Late July or early August is the target for submitting a draft Law on Special Urban Areas to the National Assembly, while the city must also resolve surplus public assets and cut 2026 recurrent budget spending by 10%.
Major transport works were ordered accelerated, including Ring Road 3 and key intersections, with construction to start in the second half on Metro Line 2, the Can Gio-Ba Ria Vung Tau bridge, Cai Mep Ha Port and other projects.
Housing and planning were folded into the growth agenda: the city must complete its master plan, prioritize high-rise and rental housing, and begin at least 1 large-scale rental project in Q3.
With budget cuts and staff shortages, can HCMC's government deliver its promised hyper-efficient services and massive reforms?
Can HCMC’s infrastructure boom coexist with its vision of becoming a green, climate-resilient global city?
Will HCMC's new 'socialist communes' truly empower citizens or become another layer of top-down state management?
Ho Chi Minh City 2026: Administrative Reform, Economic Targets, and the Path to Sustainable Urban Growth
Overview
In 2026, Ho Chi Minh City made strong progress in administrative reform and economic growth, with city leaders and the government working together to review and implement new development plans. Vice Chairman Nguyen Manh Cuong recognized these robust efforts but pointed out that reforms were not applied evenly across all areas. The Vietnamese Government focused on updating socio-economic plans and setting clear targets for the next five years, while Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stressed the importance of turning these plans into practical actions with measurable results. These coordinated efforts highlight the city's commitment to sustainable growth and effective governance.