Eastern HCMC: The New Hub in the Expanding Mega-Urban Landscape

After benefiting directly from a series of macroeconomic policies and large-scale public investment projects, the eastern area of Ho Chi Minh City is undergoing a remarkable transformation in infrastructure, planning, and urban development. The administrative merger, along with the formation of a new “mega-city” and a synchronized network of road, air, and rail infrastructure, has opened up a vast interregional development space, positioning the East as a strategic growth center for Greater Ho Chi Minh City and the entire Southern Key Economic Region.

1. Administrative Merger

Reducing the number of provinces and cities from 63 to 34 is a necessary condition for establishing new growth poles on the regional development map. The newly formed administrative units will create a continuous development space connecting central urban areas, coastal regions, deltas, and highlands, thereby completing the value chain from production to logistics, consumption, and export. 

	Before Merger	After Merger
Area	2.056 km²	6.772 km²
Population	9,5 million	14 million
Administrative Units	1 city and 21 districts, 390 wards, communes, and towns	168 wards (including 113 wards, 54 communes, and 1 special zone)
GDP	~VND 1.7 quadrillion (~15–18% of national GDP)	~VND 2.7 quadrillion (~24% of national GDP)

The newly established Ho Chi Minh City is formed through the merger of three administrative units: Binh Duong Province, Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province, and Ho Chi Minh City. The city is planned to follow a “mega-city” model with three key growth pillars: finance, industry, and seaports, creating a larger and more comprehensive economic space. After the merger, this area will have the largest GRDP in Vietnam, becoming a new growth pole for both the nation and the Southeast region.

Comparison of Key Economic Indicators between Ho Chi Minh City and Other Major Provinces/Cities

One of the two proposed financial centers will be located in Thu Thiem, while the new administrative center of the city is expected to be built on one of three designated land plots in Thu Duc City.

2. Road and Railway Infrastructure Planning

Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho will serve as the two central cities of the Southern Key Economic Regions. In HCMC, Ring Roads 3 and 4 will connect the city with neighboring provinces, while metro lines will help reduce traffic density in the urban core and promote population dispersal to satellite areas. Metro Line No. 2, starting from Thu Thiem Station and ending at Tham Luong Depot (District 2), is scheduled to begin construction in 2025.

Existing Infrastructure of Eastern Ho Chi Minh City

Virtus Prosperity identifies the eastern area of HCMC as a high-potential region, positioned near major aviation and seaport megahubs, and strategically located along key expressways connecting the city with surrounding provinces. 

3. Railway and Aviation Infrastructure Planning

The Long Thanh International Airport is expected to be operational by 2027, with around 80% of international flights relocating from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Long Thanh. A synchronized road system will ensure seamless connectivity between airports, seaports, and urban areas.

Ongoing Infrastructure Projects in East Ho Chi Minh City

Project	Connectivity Description	Progress
Expansion of HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway	Connects HCMC with Dong Nai Province	To be completed in 2026
My Thuy Interchange	Links major gateway roads in East HCMC to Cat Lai Port	To be completed in April 2026
Cat Lai – Phu Huu Interport Road	Connects Nguyen Thi Dinh Street with Ring Road 3 and HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway	Expected to start in 2025
Expansion of Nguyen Thi Dinh Road Expansion of Nguyen Duy Trinh Road Expansion of Do Xuan Hop Road Kéo dài và mở rộng đường Võ Chí Công hiện hữu	Kết nối nút giao Mỹ Thủy và cảng Cát Lái Kết nối  đường Nguyễn Thị Định và đường Nguyễn Xiển  Mục tiêu khép kín Vành đai 2 quanh Thành Phố	Completion targeted by end of 2026
Ring Road 3	Section through Thu Duc City, from HCMC – LT – DG Expressway to Tan Van Interchange	To be completed in June 2026
An Phu Interchange	Connects Mai Chi Tho Street with HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway	Completion in 2026
Cat Lai Bridge	Connects Thu Duc City (HCMC) and Nhon Trach (Dong Nai)	Construction planned for 2026
Thu Duc Inner-Ward Road	Links The Global City with Mai Chi Tho and Vo Nguyen Giap (Hanoi Highway)	Completion in 2026
Thu Thiem – Long Thanh Railway Line	Connects An Phu to Long Thanh International Airport	Under consideration
Metro Lines No. 6 and 10	Passing through Vo Chi Cong, Thanh My Loi, Cat Lai Port, High-Tech Park, Tam Phu, District 7, Binh Thanh, Binh Chanh, and Tan Son Nhat Airport

With deep expertise in Market Access, Virtus Prosperity supports international investors in assessing regional potential, reviewing legal frameworks, and connecting with suitable local partners.

We accompany investors from market assessment to project implementation, helping shorten market entry time, reduce operational risks, and capture opportunities in strategic growth areas such as Eastern Ho Chi Minh City, where capital, infrastructure, and Vietnam’s development vision converge in the coming decade.