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HCMC – Since the liberation of the south and the reunification of the nation on April 30, 1975, HCMC has undergone a sweeping transformation, driven by rapid urban infrastructure upgrades.
Expanding boulevards, major transport projects and a growing skyline of high-rise buildings are reshaping the city’s landscape, opening up new development space and supporting a shift toward a multi-centered urban model.
HCMC’s urban landscape today is defined by new bridges, bustling urban areas, key arterial roads and an emerging metro network. This shift is more than a facelift, it reflects a deliberate “transport first” strategy to unlock economic potential and generate new growth momentum.
Synchronized infrastructure investment is a decisive move to curb logistics costs and deepen connectivity across the southern key economic region. It provides the foundation for the city’s transition toward a multi-centered megacity, reinforcing its position as Vietnam’s economic hub while strengthening its regional competitiveness.
Urban core and emerging landmarks
In recent years, HCMC’s central area has undergone a marked transformation, as a wave of large-scale and iconic developments has emerged. These projects are reshaping the city center into a more modern and dynamic space with a growing international profile.
Landmark 81, which held the title of Southeast Asia’s tallest building when it opened, stands 461 meters tall with 81 floors. Beyond its role as a high-end mix of hotel, residential and retail space, the tower has emerged as a defining symbol of HCMC’s modern development phase – PHOTOS: LE VUEarlier, Bitexco Financial Tower was widely seen as a landmark marking the city’s shift toward vertical urbanization. Inspired by the shape of a lotus bud, the 68-story tower stands 262 meters tallThe building serves not only as a financial and commercial hub but also marks a key shift in the city’s approach to modern urban architecture. Since its debut, Bitexco has become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarksThe ranking of the city’s tallest buildings has changed recently, with Saigon Marina IFC officially surpassing Vietcombank Tower to take third place, behind Landmark 81 and Bitexco. On August 19, 2025, Saigon Marina IFC was put into operation. The tower stands 240 meters tall, with 55 above-ground floors and five basement levels, offering more than 106,000 square meters of floor space. Of this, around 87,000 square meters is dedicated to Grade A office space. It is located at No. 2 Ton Duc Thang StreetBeyond vertical growth, the city center has also seen upgrades to public spaces, particularly along the Saigon RiverFollowing its renovation, the Bach Dang Wharf has become a key open space, linking the downtown area with the Saigon River, creating a new urban highlight and improving the quality of public life. It has also become a regular venue for cultural and tourism activities, adding vibrancy to the city’s imageMeanwhile, the upgrading and revitalization of the central area such as Le Loi Boulevard, Ben Thanh Market and the former Tax Trade Center have further reshaped the urban landscape and enhanced overall urban quality
Transport infrastructure as a driver of urban restructuring
While the city center showcases a new urban image, it is the transport network that has driven HCMC’s deeper structural shift in recent yearsHCMC Metro Line No. 1, connecting Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien, stands as a milestone in urban mobility. After nearly two decades in the making, the 20-kilometer line began commercial service in late 2024, marking the first in the city’s urban railway systemBeyond easing travel between the eastern corridor and the city center, the Metro Line No. 1 is opening up a new axis for urban growth, spurring commercial and service activity while gradually reshaping residential patterns along the routeFrom April 2025, travelers to and from HCMC have had an additional gateway with the opening of Terminal 3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, one of the most significant aviation projects completed in the 2020-2025 period. The new terminal has helped relieve chronic congestion at Terminal 1 and improved the overall travel and check in experienceIn parallel, major links such as Ba Son Bridge and Phu My Bridge are playing a strategic role in expanding the city’s footprint by connecting both sides of the Saigon River, while tightening links between the central area and the Thu Thiem New Urban Area. The image shows the Ba Son BridgeThe Saigon River Tunnel is one of HCMC’s key transport infrastructure projects, linking the central area with the Thu Thiem New Urban Area and driving development on both sides of the Saigon River
Major arterial routes such as Vo Van Kiet, Mai Chi Tho, Nguyen Van Linh and Pham Van Dong, together with the An Phu interchange and ring road projects, are gradually completing a wider interregional transport network. These developments not only ease current traffic pressure but also open up new space for urban expansion toward the city’s outskirts. The image shows Mai Chi Tho BoulevardThe An Phu interchange, with a total investment of VND3.4 trillion, is one of HCMC’s largest and most critical transport hubs, linking the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway with key routes such as Mai Chi Tho, Luong Dinh Cua, Nguyen Thi Dinh and Dong Van CongNguyen Van Linh Boulevard serves as a major arterial route in the city’s southern corridorMeanwhile, the elevated Beltway No. 3, which runs through multiple high-rise residential blocks, is nearing completion
Toward a multi-centered megacity
In the next phase, HCMC is set for another round of transformation as a pipeline of large scale infrastructure projects moves forward at paceBeltways, metro extensions and interregional links are being rolled out in tandem, pointing to a more complete and better connected network for the southern key economic regionAt the same time, new urban areas such as Thu Thiem and the city’s eastern corridor are undergoing rapid infrastructure development. Under current plans, a new administrative center is expected to take shape by 2028. Meanwhile, the Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem metro line, slated for completion around 2030, is set to support the emergence of a new financial and commercial hub, easing pressure on the existing downtown coreThe site is designated for the central square and new administrative center of HCMC
The area is also home to a growing cluster of modern urban developments, further enhancing the city’s overall landscapeAfter more than half a century of transformation, HCMC is steadily moving toward a modern, dynamic megacity with stronger regional competitiveness
