Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – As Ho Chi Minh City marks the 50th anniversary of officially named after President Ho Chi Minh (July 2, 1976–2026), Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc has highlighted the southern metropolis’s remarkable achievements over the past five decades, describing it as both the country’s leading economic engine and a testing ground for innovative development policies.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Duoc said that the 50 years since Saigon – Gia Dinh officially took the name of Ho Chi Minh have been a proud and historic journey. The city has continuously upheld its revolutionary tradition, unyieldingness, dynamism, creativity and spirit of compassion, and overcome countless challenges to achieve strong breakthroughs. The comprehensive achievements across socio-economic and defence – security aspects have not only given a strong facelift to the city but also and firmly consolidated its position as the country's leading economic locomotive, a key growth driver, and a major centre for finance, trade, science and technology.
According to the official, the city’s economic transformation has been particularly striking. From an average annual growth rate of just 0.91% during the 1976–1980 period, Ho Chi Minh City experienced rapid expansion following the country’s Doi Moi (renewal) process, recording annual growth of 12.62% during 1991–1995. In 2025, the city’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) increased by an estimated 8.03%, accounting for roughly one-quarter of the national gross domestic product (GDP), and it expanded 8.27% in the first quarter of 2026.
He noted that the city’s economic structure has shifted towards modern services, which now contribute more than 52% of its economy.
Since the promulgation of the Law on Foreign Investment in late 1987, Ho Chi Minh City has remained Vietnam’s leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), attracting 20,259 projects with total registered capital of nearly 142 billion USD from 152 countries and territories. In the first half of 2026 alone, it secured over 6.8 billion USD in FDI, equivalent to 62% of its annual target.
Duoc also pointed to major advances in urban development. Landmark infrastructure projects, including Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard, the East – West Boulevard, the Saigon River Tunnel and Phu My Bridge, have significantly transformed the city’s landscape. The official launch of Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) at the end of 2024 was described as a historic milestone, ushering in a new era of modern public transportation.
At the same time, model urban areas such as Phu My Hung and Thu Thiem, together with export processing zones, industrial parks and high-tech parks, have helped shape a modern, civilised and internationally integrated metropolis.
On socio-cultural affairs, the chairman stressed that the city has consistently pursued economic growth in tandem with social progress and equity. He cited UNESCO’s recognition of Ho Chi Minh City as a Global Learning City in 2024 and ongoing efforts to establish itself as a high-quality healthcare hub in ASEAN as evidence of this commitment.
Regarding national defence and security, he said the city has always maintained political stability and social order, and strengthened the all-people national defence and security safeguarding postures. The effectiveness and efficiency of the two-tier local administration system have been enhanced, providing a safe and seamless environment that supports the city’s fast and sustainable development.
It can be affirmed that the city’s remarkable achievements over the past 50 years come as a result of the whole-hearted dedication, burning desire and strong sense of responsibility of successive generations of leaders, together with the spirit of great solidarity, self-reliance and resilience of its people. They serve as a firm foundation for Ho Chi Minh City to sustain its momentum, achieve new breakthroughs and move forward confidently in the new era of the nation’s rise, the city leader stated.
Reflecting on the city’s role in national development, Duoc described Ho Chi Minh City as a “policy laboratory” that has often pioneered reforms later adopted nationwide. He recalled that the city had been at the forefront of innovation before the launch of Doi Moi in 1986 and had pioneered initiatives such as the establishment of the country’s first export processing zone, Tan Thuan, in 1991.
The official also highlighted the city's deeply humanistic spirit as seen in efforts to eliminate poverty and build charity houses for the disadvantaged.
He noted that it is currently implementing a range of breakthrough mechanisms and policies approved by the National Assembly, including special development mechanisms, the resolution for the development of an international financial centre, and another aimed at accelerating the development of metro lines.
For the coming period, Duoc said the city will keep thoroughly grasping the Politburo's Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW on its development, staying determined to uphold its pionnering role in economic growth and innovation.
To do so, it will focus on five focal tasks, including building a new growth model driven by science and technology, innovation and digital transformation; taking the lead in institutional reforms through greater power decentralisation and enhanced local autonomy; modernising urban infrastructure with an emphasis on metro systems and transit-oriented development; improving residents’ quality of life through better housing, health care and education; and fostering a high-quality workforce and promoting the city’s culture of thinking big, acting bold and daring to take responsibility.
Asked about the significance of the 50th anniversary, Duoc said the city’s greatest source of pride lies not only in its achievements but also in its enduring efforts to live up to the honour of bearing President Ho Chi Minh’s name.
Guided by the principle of “for the whole country and joining hands with the whole country”, the city remains committed to sharing resources and supporting other localities in national development.
As the country enters a new era of development, Duoc affirmed that the Party organisation, administration and people of Ho Chi Minh City are determined to work together to build a civilised, modern and compassionate metropolis worthy of the trust of the entire people and the honour of bearing the name of the great leader of Vietnam, he remarked./.
