Happy Vietnam (VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City: Investment licences granted within 15 days under special mechanism

According to Deputy Head of HEPZA Le Van Thinh, the new policy comes as the city intensifies administrative reform, digital transformation, and efforts to enhance competitiveness in attracting investment into its export processing and industrial zones.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City to begin motorcycle emissions testing from July 2027

After the two major cities in 2027, the scheme will expand to other cities from July 1, 2028, and to the remaining provinces from July 1, 2030.

Vietnam’s international financial centre strengthens global foothold

According to the latest Global Financial Centres Index 2026 (GFCI 39), Ho Chi Minh City ranked 84th out of 120 financial centres worldwide, climbing 11 positions compared with 2025. Within ASEAN, the city now ranks third behind Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, overtaking Bangkok and Jakarta.

Ho Chi Minh City to pilot pork trading on Mercantile Exchange of Vietnam

Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said listing pork on the MXV will finally give consumers and firms more stable prices, while slapping on stricter food safety rules and making it easier to track where the meat actually comes from. Farmers, meanwhile, stand to gain from more predictable margins and dodge fewer of the supply-demand imbalances that routinely distort prices.

Ho Chi Minh City launches public e-bike service to promote green transport

A total of 500 public e-bikes are expected to put into use across the entire station network in March, alongside the public bicycle network that has been in service since late 2021.

Ho Chi Minh City targets free basic hospital fees for residents by 2030

Under the programme, the southern largest economic hub has set several key health targets to be achieved by 2030. The average height of children and adolescents under 18 is expected to increase by at least 1.5cm, while the average life expectancy of residents is projected to reach around 77 years, including at least 68 years of healthy living.

Multi-skilled civil servants key to effective governance in Ho Chi Minh City: insiders

The rollout of the two-tier local administration model in Ho Chi Minh City, a megacity of more than 14 million people, has placed new requirements on civil servants, demanding them to be multi-skilled, capable of handling multiple tasks and proficient in digital technologies to meet the needs of modern urban governance, said insiders.

Ho Chi Minh City’s 2026 Culture – Tourism Festival kicks off with vibrant activities

The festival serves as a platform to introduce the city’s potential and strengths, and demonstrate the strong vitality and endless creativity of a dynamic and compassionate metropolis.

Ho Chi Minh City defines four pillar product groups for International Financial Centre

The Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC) has been structured around four pillar product groups, which are seen as the foundation for gradually building Ho Chi Minh City into a competitive financial hub in the region and the world.

Golden opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector to make breakthroughs

Market research reports indicate that Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector still has large room for growth if the special mechanisms under Resolution 98, Resolution 260 and Resolution 62/2025/NQ-HDND on incentives for attracting MICE visitors are effectively implemented. These policies are considered practical, helping enhance competitiveness, service quality and the city’s standing as a destination.

Ho Chi Minh City pursues integrated heritage preservation strategy in mega-city era

Scholars stressed that maintaining the vitality of heritage is crucial for a fast-urbanising metropolis like Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City expands nighttime cultural spaces for residents

Beyond remaining a familiar destination for readers, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in Ho Chi Minh City’s Sai Gon ward now contributes to the city’s nighttime cultural life, meeting the public’s demand for weekend recreation, cultural enjoyment and relaxation.

Hanoi leads 2025 Vietnam eBusiness Index

The average score of the rankings is 9.3 points. The gap in e-commerce development between the two major economic centres – Hanoi and HCM City – and the remaining provinces and cities is very large.

Ho Chi Minh City charts roadmap to green public transport

HCM City is implementing a project to convert its bus fleet to electric vehicles, underscoring its commitment to environmentally friendly public transport.

HCM City elevates destination appeal, enhances tourism workforce quality

As Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector continues to sustain growth momentum, it is shifting strongly from post-merger recovery to development acceleration, with a focus on restructuring destination spaces to offer diverse tourism models and attract more domestic and international visitors.

HCM City speeds up digital tourism to draw more travellers

Following its goal of building a friendly destination, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism is rolling out a range of local stimulus programmes, with a focus on bringing the city’s signature attractions closer to domestic and international visitors through digital platforms.

HCM City to welcome New Year 2026 with fireworks at four sites

HCM City will host high-altitude fireworks displays at three sites - the Saigon River Tunnel entrance in An Khanh ward, the New City’s centre in Binh Duong ward, and Tam Thang Square in Vung Tau ward, along with a low-altitude show at Dam Sen Cultural Park in Binh Thoi ward.

National Cybersecurity Association opens branch in HCM City

The southern branch aims to become a coordinating body for cybersecurity tasks, workforce development, awareness-raising and the strengthening of digital defence capabilities across the region, contributing to the safe and sustainable growth of Vietnam’s digital economy.

"Photography Without Borders" exhibition kicks off HCM City International Photo Festival 2025

The event features works by 50 Vietnamese photographers and 14 international delegations with 36 members. Each participating artist is showcasing three standout photographs.

HCM City partners with Binance to advance International Financial Centre development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, municipal leaders, representatives of ministries, and international investment funds attended and witnessed the signing ceremony, which was held on the sidelines of the Autumn Economic Forum 2025.