HCMC – The HCMC People’s Committee has submitted a proposal to the city’s People’s Council to merge Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau provinces into HCMC to establish a far larger centrally governed metropolis.
The plan was presented at the 22nd session of the 10th HCMC People’s Council this morning, April 18.
If approved, the expanded city would cover 6,772 square kilometers, house approximately 13.7 million people, comprise 190 commune-level administrative units, and become a new mega-urban hub in southern Vietnam.
The main administrative and political center of a new HCMC would remain at 86 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, with its secondary centers at Binh Duong’s current administrative center on Le Loi Street in Thu Dau Mot City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s current administrative center at 1 Pham Van Dong Street in Ba Ria City.
The merger is expected to enhance transportation connectivity among HCMC, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria–Vung Tau across road, inland waterway, and maritime routes, strengthening links between seaports in HCMC and Ba Ria–Vung Tau.
It would also open up the potential to connect Binh Duong’s port infrastructure with the seaport networks of the other two localities.
Local governance is expected to improve as all three localities have prioritized administrative reform, digital transformation, and the development of science and technology.
Under the new administrative structure, the expanded HCMC would have 168 commune-level administrative units, which are 113 wards, 54 communes, and one special zone.
Before May 1, relevant agencies are expected to submit the merger proposals involving Ba Ria–Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and HCMC to the central steering committee and the Government steering Committee for review.
