The draft Political Report of the 1st Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee identifies infrastructure development as one of three key breakthrough programs for the 2025–2030 term. The goal is no longer merely to ease current traffic congestion but to shape a modern, sustainable urban model befitting the city’s role as an economic hub, growth pole, and regional connector. At the heart of this transformation is the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model — a form of urban planning centered around public transport and the application of smart technologies. Speaking with The Saigon Times, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, former head of the General Planning Division at the city’s Department of Planning and Architecture, said that to realize these ambitious strategies, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) must overcome persistent institutional, financial, and managerial bottlenecks. “The city’s transportation infrastructure system must serve as a strategic lever for the expansion of the HCMC mega-urban area,” Dr. Tuan said. “TOD and smart transport are not just technical matters but mechanisms to reshape the city’s entire living and economic space for the future. At the same time, the city must take decisive steps to optimize public investment and mobilize social resources effectively.” Each TOD […]