HCMC – The central Government today, January 4, announced an approved master planning scheme for HCMC, which is highly expected to transform the country’s leading economic center into a modern, compassionate, dynamic, and innovative metropolis.
The master planning scheme for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050, approved on December 31, 2024 by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, will help develop the southern city into a global, civilized, modern, compassionate, dynamic, and innovative city.
The city is set to cultivate a quality workforce, foster modern service and industrial sectors, and lead in green economy, digital economy, and digital society, as well as become a national hub for economy, finance, trade, services, culture, education, and science-technology, achieving extensive global integration and a prominent position in Southeast Asia.
Speaking at a conference held today to announce the approved master planning scheme, PM Chinh said the master planning embodies an innovative thinking, strategic vision, foresight and bold ambitions.
He noted that translating this scheme into reality is not only a responsibility of HCMC but also a task for the nation.
Simultaneously, the city will offer high-quality living conditions, a rich cultural identity, a sustainable environment, and strong adaptability to climate change, according to the scheme.
In the 2021–2030 period, the city will work towards attaining an average annual gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth rate of 8.5-9%. By 2030, its per capita GRDP at current prices is forecast at VND385-405 million (US$14,800-15,400).
The service sector is expected to account for over 60% of GRDP, the industrial and construction sector around 27%, and the agro-forestry- fishery sector roughly 0.4%. The city also aims for the digital economy contributing over 40% of GRDP.
By 2030, the city’s population is estimated at some 11 million, which will continue rising to around 14.5 million by 2050. The urbanisation rate is set to exceed 90%, with a goal of 100% of communes meeting the standards for model new-style rural areas, and 50% achieving the criteria for smart rural communes. All districts will meet the standards for model new-style rural districts.
By the end of 2030, the city plans to double its poverty threshold compared to the national average.
The PM called for effectively attracting and using all legal resources to promote traditional growth drivers such as export, investment, and consumption. Breakthroughs should be made into new growth drivers, including green economy, digital economy, circular economy, sharing economy, knowledge economy, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development.
The Government leader also suggested enhancing human development via training a quality workforce, nurturing talents and ensuring social welfare; increasing connectivity between the city and its surrounding areas, both at home and abroad, through the development of transport systems, production and supply chains, and market linkages.
The city was urged to pioneer in developing a comprehensive, strategic infrastructure system encompassing transport, digital infrastructure, health care, education, social services, sports, as well as both hard and soft infrastructure. The advancement of innovation, science-technology and digital transformation, along with the development of quality human resource training, were also highlighted.
The master planning scheme should align with the national, regional and sectoral master planning schemes, toward achieving double-digit growth this year, he said, proposing boldly piloting new mechanisms and policies, particularly for key projects such as the International Financial Center, Can Gio international transshipment port, a transport network connecting to Long Thanh international airport, and an urban railway network.
Secretary of the Party Committee of HCMC Nguyen Van Nen said the city will continue concretising the Politburo’s Resolution 31 on orientations and tasks for development until 2030, the National Assembly’s Resolution 131 on the organisation of the urban governance model, and the NA’s Resolution 98 on piloting special mechanisms and policies for the city’s development.
These efforts aim to promote rapid and sustainable development, living up to the Party and State’s trust, he said.
