HCMC – Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate, broke ground today on a sprawling 2,870-hectare coastal urban and tourism project in Can Gio District, around 50 kilometers southeast of the center of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).
Designed to accommodate a population of nearly 230,000 and attract 8-9 million tourists annually, the Vinhomes Green Paradise project will transform the area into a hub for eco-friendly tourism, smart urban living, and high-tech services.
Located in Long Hoa Commune and Can Thanh Town, the project encompasses 1,357 hectares of reclaimed land and 906 hectares of leveled terrain elevated over 2.9 meters above the Hon Dau benchmark elevation. The development is divided into four main zones, with each tailored to specific functions, from ecological residences to financial hubs and luxury resorts.
Vinhomes Green Paradise will include an international convention center, a world-class hospital, a marina, a golf course, and an oceanfront square.
The project will become Vietnam’s first mega-urban development to be built in accordance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, said Vingroup.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Nguyen Viet Quang, vice chairman and CEO of Vingroup, said the project will contribute to improving the quality of life for local residents while preserving the ecological integrity of Can Gio.
Project breakdown
Zone A (over 950 hectares): Positioned as the gateway to the coastal urban tourism area, this zone borders the East Sea and Can Thanh Town. It will feature eco-friendly residential areas integrated with tourism services.
Zone B (around 660 hectares): Adjacent to the East Sea and the April 30 coastal tourism road, this zone is subdivided into four residential units (B1, B2, B3, B4) and a functional area (B5). With a projected population of 75,000, it will focus on resort tourism, urban public services, and technical infrastructure. Social housing, covering 103 hectares, will account for over 20% of the project’s residential land.
Zone C (318 hectares): Flanked by the sea on two sides, this zone comprises six residential units (C1 to C6) for up to 41,364 residents. It is planned as a modern urban center with high-rise mixed-use buildings (up to 44 stories), a financial and commercial hub, office spaces, and a marina.
Zone D (480 hectares): This zone includes four residential units (D1, D3, D4, D5) and two functional areas for tourism services (D2) and additional facilities (E1). It will house modern, smart urban residences, including villas and townhouses, alongside high-end commercial and resort developments.
Zone E (458 hectares): Dedicated to water surfaces, canals, and urban greenery, this zone enhances the project’s ecological footprint.
A vision for sustainability
Vingroup envisions the Can Gio project as a “second lung” for HCMC. The district’s 35,000-hectare mangrove forest, which is a UNESCO-recognized World Biosphere Reserve, is now seen as the green lung of HCMC. The development prioritizes green energy, with plans for offshore wind power, eco-friendly transportation, and an elevated metro system. A proposed 48.5-kilometer metro line, connecting Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard in District 7 to Can Gio, will require an estimated investment of over US$4 billion.
The project aligns with ESG goals, emphasizing comprehensive ecological sustainability. Vingroup has committed to environmental protection measures, monitored independently with regular reporting. Over 1,000 local residents, including fishermen, forest rangers, and on-site communities, have been consulted. The developer has pledged job training, career transition programs, and new employment opportunities to support affected locals.
Enhancing Can Gio’s tourism potential
Can Gio, covering 70,445 hectares or one-third of HCMC’s total area, is known for its restored mangrove ecosystem, a symbol of post-war environmental recovery. Vingroup’s subsidiary, Can Gio Urban Tourism Joint Stock Company, is studying initiatives to preserve and promote the district’s tourism potential, further integrating the project with the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Vinhomes Green Paradise represents a bold step toward redefining Vietnam’s southern coast as a global destination for sustainable tourism and modern urban living. When in place, it will set a new standard for large-scale, eco-conscious development in the region.
Under HCMC’s master development plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, Can Gio will be developed into an ecological urban zone, with a focus on advancing the marine economy through the development of a transshipment port, a free trade zone, logistics services, tourism, coastal eco-cities, and renewable energy initiatives.
HCMC is seeking investment for the Can Gio International Transshipment Port, which is estimated to require US$6 billion.
