Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang has called on officials to prioritize people’s well-being and find new approaches to improve living conditions, as he concluded the fifth conference of the city’s Party Committee, which was held yesterday afternoon.
Ho Chi Minh City sets sights on double-digit growth in 2026
In his closing remarks, Ho Chi Minh City Party Chief Tran Luu Quang stressed that the city is targeting double-digit economic growth in 2026, highlighting both public and private investment as key drivers.
He noted that the city’s total capital demand for the 2025–2030 period is estimated at VND3 quadrillion, while only about VND1.3 quadrillion has been secured so far. The city must therefore mobilize additional resources, particularly from land and non-budget sources, while accelerating private investment.
As an example, he cited Ly Thai To Park No. 1, where private sector participation enabled completion in just three months, compared to five and a half months under a purely public investment model.
The city, he said, should make full use of mechanisms under National Assembly Resolution 260 to implement projects, unlock land resources, and mobilize social capital. Authorities have also been tasked with reviewing public land and state-owned assets to develop a pipeline of projects for schools, parks, and public services.
Following a review of projects at Phu Tho Racetrack, HCMC Party Chief Tran Luu Quang urged relevant agencies, particularly the Department of Culture and Sports, to reassess similar projects in neighboring areas such as Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau to avoid duplication and waste.
He emphasized that healthcare and education must be top priorities. Some areas still lack sufficient schools, and the city aims to eliminate classroom shortages by the 2027–2028 academic year.
The Department of Health has been instructed to conduct further reviews and propose solutions, as many hospitals in the city remain overcrowded. In line with Politburo Resolution 72, all residents are expected to receive at least one health check-up or screening per year starting in 2026, with no phased implementation. The city government’s Party Committee has been assigned direct responsibility for executing this target, with Ho Chi Minh City expected to take the lead nationwide.
Ho Chi Minh City approves free bus travel to boost public transport
The Party Chief of Ho Chi Minh City also revealed that the city’s leadership has approved a policy to make bus travel free and waive infrastructure fees at border gates and seaports.
The free bus initiative aims to encourage public transport use and reduce reliance on private vehicles. Preliminary estimates suggest the policy could cost around VND7 trillion annually. The measure is intended to address major challenges assigned by the Party leadership, including traffic congestion and environmental pollution.
The Department of Construction has been tasked with redesigning bus routes to improve efficiency, punctuality, and user experience. The city also plans to gradually increase the number of electric buses; currently, more than 600 out of 1,780 buses are electric.
As for port infrastructure fees, the city aims to support businesses amid rising fuel costs and global economic volatility.
Ho Chi Minh City accelerates urban renewal to improve living standards
HCMC Party Chief Tran Luu Quang has issued a stark call for urban renewal, citing the "unacceptable" living conditions in long-stalled project areas like Ma Lang and Ga Market.
During a recent site visit, he described the harrowing reality of residents living in 10-square-meter spaces shared by as many as ten people. He noted that extreme overcrowding has forced some families to sleep in shifts, while others endure structural hazards.
"While staying indoors, one must keep their feet out of the alley; upon hearing the sound of a motorcycle, it is necessary to retract one's feet to avoid being run over", Mr. Tran Luu Quang expressed his concerns. "Ho Chi Minh City is supposed to be a livable city; so this is not acceptable."
The Party Chief emphasized that the city will accelerate renewal projects to ensure residents actually benefit from HCMC's economic growth. He urged officials to abandon bureaucratic inertia in favor of creative, human-centric solutions to resolve these persistent urban bottlenecks.
The Party Secretary emphasized the need for the team of officials to engage in deeper thinking, exploring innovative approaches and alternative methods to address issues. "Let us consider the citizens and think of different ways to improve their living conditions," Mr. Tran Luu Quang expressed his hopes.
The Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary also praised the municipal Labor Federation for its worker housing initiative. The organization has signed agreements to develop approximately 70,000 housing condos, offering flexible options including rental, rent-to-own, and purchase schemes tailored to workers’ financial capacities.
He described the model as an effective way to mobilize social resources, help workers access housing, support businesses in retaining labor, and address accommodation challenges for migrants to the city.
HCMC Party Chief Tran Luu Quang expressed confidence that such models could be replicated nationwide in the future.
He also disclosed that the central government has approved an increase of 83 additional vice chairpersons at the commune level in Ho Chi Minh City. The city will continue restructuring personnel across agencies and localities according to a roadmap to ensure a more balanced and effective administrative system.
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