Infrastructure paves way for urban transformation

A new wave of large-scale infrastructure investment is opening up a fresh cycle of urban restructuring for Ho Chi Minh City and the broader southeastern region.

- By Binh An

According to economic expert Nguyen Duc Kien, the foundation of Ho Chi Minh City’s current urban development policies stems from major milestones such as the relocation of the Saigon Port to restructure urban space, the development of the city’s southern area, the construction of Thu Thiem Tunnel, and the rehabilitation of the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe canal system.

“In addition, policies are creating a foundation for Ho Chi Minh City to become more proactive in infrastructure investment and the expansion of its development space,” Kien said at the Real Estate Forum 2026 held in Ho Chi Minh City last week.

“We are giving the city greater authority to determine its own development direction. Transport infrastructure and real estate development will follow new economic corridors, creating fresh growth drivers for the city,” Kien added.

Nguyen Do Dung, CEO of EnCity, believes that metro systems and public transportation networks will fundamentally reshape urban development structures.