After its merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, HCMC is set to see new major urban complexes and residential areas emerge on its outskirts. But experts caution that transport infrastructure alone cannot guarantee sustainable growth, which also depends on integrated urban planning, social services, and local economic development. Toward a multi-hub transport network HCMC’s transport network now links the city center with the suburbs through expressways, highways and beltways. Yet its capacity remains far below what a megacity requires, with major radial and gateway routes frequently clogged. In the medium to long term, the city’s connectivity will depend on the completion of Beltways 3 and 4, the Ben Luc-Long Thanh and HCMC-Moc Bai expressways, and the metro system. These projects are expected to lay the foundation for the city to evolve into a multi-hub logistics center for southern Vietnam’s key economic region. At the same time, several large-scale developments are shaping HCMC’s planned suburban expansion, concentrated in three directions: east (Thu Duc, Bien Hoa, Long Thanh, Nhon Trach), northeast (former Binh Duong), and southwest (former Long An), according to Trang Le, country head of JLL Vietnam and senior director of Research and Consulting Services. The eastern corridor is […]