According to a government-approved decision on the HCM City general development plan to 2025, the city is considered a special metropolis, and a major economic, cultural, education and training, science and technology center of Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City is also identified as the center for international exchanges, and an industrial, multi-sector service hub of the country and Southeast Asia.

In addition to existing urban areas, the Government has asked Ho Chi Minh City to prioritize building new urban areas.

These are Thu Thiem new urban area (Thu Duc city) of 737ha; Hiep Phuoc port urban area (Nha Be district) of 3,900ha; West - North urban area of 6,000ha; and the Hi-Tech Park (Thu Duc City) of 872ha.

Over the past 10 years, the appearance of Ho Chi Minh City has gradually changed as many large-scale urban areas have formed.

Kicking off in 1993 and belonging to the South City Urban Area (2,975ha), Phu My Hung in District 7 is considered the first model urban area in Vietnam. With a total area of 433ha, after 30 years of development, Phu My Hung has now become a complete urban area, the home to nearly 100,000 people.

Located in the center of Thu Thiem New Urban Area, the Sala Urban Area has an area of 113ha, including two residential areas and a park, with a total population of 22,500. 

As a model ecological urban area with many green areas, Sala Urban Area is changing the face of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

With a total area of 272ha, Vinhomes Grand Park in Thu Duc City is planned to be a smart urban area with trees and water surface accounting for nearly 80% of the total area. Kicked off in 2018, the construction of Vinhomes Grand Park is nearly complete. 

With a scale of 198ha, Van Phuc City (Thu Duc City) is considered the largest riverside urban area in Ho Chi Minh City, accommodating 38,000 people.

Located in Tan Phu District, Celadon City Urban Area has an area of 82ha with 4 subdivisions, providing nearly 8,600 apartments and low-rise buildings.

Started in 2021, The Global City project in An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City is considered the most modern urban area in Ho Chi Minh City. With a scale of more than 117ha, The Global City has a full range of housing types from apartments and townhouses to villas. This urban area is under construction, and is expected to be completed in 2025.

With a scale of 350ha, when completed, ZeitGeist Nha Be is considered the second largest urban area in the South of Ho Chi Minh City after Phu My Hung. Implemented since 2019 with 7 functional areas, ZeitGeist Nha Be Urban Area will offer more than 16,000 apartments and 770 villas.