"Like a football team, Ho Chi Minh City must be in the starting lineup and play as the striker to lead the nation into this new era," remarked Phan Van Mai, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City, at a conference titled "A New Era: Vietnam's Leap Forward – Challenges for Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast Region," held on December 23.

Ho Chi Minh City’s mission in the Southeast

Chairman Phan Van Mai emphasized that Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast region must embrace their significant mission and responsibility to help propel Vietnam forward in this transformative era.

The city’s leadership highlighted the need to identify key pillars and priorities for the region. This involves drafting immediate action plans and long-term strategies to establish a solid foundation for growth.

"Ho Chi Minh City seeks to collaborate closely with the Southeast region and pool resources to achieve shared objectives. The city will assume a core role in resource coordination and strategic planning for collective development," stated Phan Van Mai.

Streamlining governance for efficiency

At the conference, Dr. Du Phuoc Tan from the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies stressed the importance of recognizing the transformative potential of this new era. He urged local governments to fully commit to streamlining administrative structures, aligning with the national agenda for an efficient and effective governance system.

Dr. Hoang Van Tu from the Ho Chi Minh City Cadre Academy and Master Le Thi Thom from Hung Yen University of Technical Education supported this viewpoint. They noted that a lean administrative system would not only enhance management efficiency but also set an example for the nation in building a modern and effective governance framework.

However, they acknowledged that this effort faces challenges, such as resistance within internal systems, organizational complexity, and pressures from technology, population growth, and legal frameworks.

With a clear roadmap and innovative solutions, Ho Chi Minh City is poised to overcome these obstacles, creating a governance model that meets the expectations of both citizens and businesses.

Strengthening regional connectivity

Dr. Truong Minh Huy Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, emphasized the region's tangible progress, citing major infrastructure developments.

He noted that the city has recently launched Metro Line 1, paving the way for the completion of seven additional lines. Concurrently, efforts to finish the Ring Road 2 and construct the Ring Roads 3 and 4 aim to create an interconnected transportation network for the Southeast region.

"These advancements demonstrate that Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast are well-positioned to step into this new era," said Dr. Vu.

Dr. Tran Du Lich also highlighted the region’s focus on transformative projects, urging the rapid resolution of delayed initiatives to optimize resources and attract investments.

He further proposed prioritizing key projects such as completing regional road and rail networks, implementing the North-South traffic corridor, and advancing plans for high-speed rail between Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. Additionally, he called for accelerated planning for connections between Can Gio District (Ho Chi Minh City) and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, as well as the urban railway linking Thu Thiem Station with Long Thanh International Airport.

Ho Chi Minh City as the "conductor"

According to Dr. Lich, Ho Chi Minh City must take on the role of "conductor" in regional planning, with a primary focus on enhancing road and rail connectivity and optimizing the region's logistics network.

The region should align its infrastructure development with the international shipping hub at Cai Mep-Thi Vai and Can Gio, transforming the Southeast and the Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area into a shining example along the Indo-Pacific corridor.

Dr. Du Phuoc Tan added that regional collaboration must leverage the "economies of scale principle" to unlock unprecedented growth potential, particularly in this new era.

Ho Van