Shifts in global capital flows, technology, and value chains are creating opportunities for Viet Nam to strengthen its position in the world economic order. However, opportunities do not automatically translate into growth. The reality requires us to strengthen domestic capabilities, reform institutions, develop businesses, and build deeper cooperative relationships.

The Urban Development Law, which took effect on October 1, gives Ho Chi Minh City greater autonomy in mobilising resources and clearing obstacles to growth. Effective implementation of the new mechanisms is expected to deliver tangible benefits for the city’s socio-economic development and the lives of its residents.

Ho Chi Minh City announced 12 projects granted investment policy approval or investment registration certificates on October 28, with total investment exceeding 337.22 trillion VND (about 13.58 billion USD), at the Autumn Economic Forum 2026.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam on October 28 called on Ho Chi Minh City to renew its approach to autonomy, strengthen implementation capacity and ensure that tasks are completed with tangible results.

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc met with Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Stephan Mergenthaler on the sidelines of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 (AEF 2026) on October 28 to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation with the southern metropolis.

Ho Chi Minh City has entered a new phase of development, in which science, technology, and innovation are identified as key drivers of growth. This serves not only as a strategic orientation but also as an essential requirement for the city to fulfill its role as an economic powerhouse and lay the foundation for sustainable development.

More than a year after the implementation of Politburo Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW (dated May 4, 2025) on the development of the private sector (Resolution 68), the investment and business environment in Ho Chi Minh City has seen positive changes, particularly in management thinking and administrative reform.

A series of major strategic infrastructure projects being launched or completed is expected to drive Ho Chi Minh City’s economic growth in the final quarter of 2026, open up new development space and lay the foundation for its ambition to become a global megacity.

Ho Chi Minh City plans to invest more than 142 trillion VND (5.49 billion USD) in 87 flood control projects during 2026–2030 to tackle flooding at 50 hotspots, with a focus on addressing root causes and developing integrated drainage systems to ensure investment effectiveness and deliver measurable reductions in flooding.

With around 3 million Vietnamese people living and working overseas having ties to Ho Chi Minh City, this community represents an important resource, making practical contributions to the city’s robust development.

Women in Ho Chi Minh City who are starting businesses will receive support from women’s associations at all levels to turn their business ideas into reality and develop sustainable production and business operations, as well as create opportunities to promote their products and connect with markets. Priority will be given to digital transformation, green transition, and environmentally friendly approaches.

An exhibition, entitled “Viet Nam Art Space – Connecting Art 2026”, will open at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts on October 24, showcasing works by Vietnamese and Indonesian artists.

Continuing its mission to strengthen cultural ties between Viet Nam and Italy through cinema, Italian Film Week in Ho Chi Minh City 2026 will take place from November 2 to 7 at Galaxy Cinema, 116 Nguyen Du Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City is facing a shortage of skilled workers in core industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and high technology. Labour supply remains insufficient in both quantity and quality, while links between training institutions and businesses are still limited. This situation highlights the urgent need to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting the transition to a new growth model and laying the foundations for rapid and sustainable development.

Ho Chi Minh City faces an urgent need to make a strong change its governance approach, not only to resolve bottlenecks that have persisted for years but also to lay the foundations for a new development cycle in an expanded development space. Through practical implementation and a strong commitment to action, the city is demonstrating a new mindset: putting people at the centre, measuring success by tangible results, and making a decisive shift from “management” to “development facilitation.”

Local authorities are working to hand over land for two priority projects so that construction can commence this year: the Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai Expressway and the interchange connecting the Ben Luc–Long Thanh Expressway with Rung Sac Road. Land clearance for the Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai Expressway has now reached nearly 99%.

On the morning of October 14, a ceremony was held in Ho Chi Minh City to commemorate and bury the remains of 731 fallen soldiers, whose remains were recovered at Le Thi Rieng Park. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

An art programme was held in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of October 13 to honour fallen soldiers whose remains were recovered at Le Thi Rieng Park.

Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Industry and Trade and Tuoi Tre Online on October 13 presented the sixth Golden Brand Awards 2026, honouring 50 companies and organisations for achievements in brand building, innovation and sustainable development.

The apartment market in Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring areas saw a clear shift, with price growth slowing down and buyers becoming more selective based on their financial capacity in the third quarter of 2026, while rising development and input costs continued to push up prices of newly launched landed-property projects, according to a report by Avison Young Viet Nam.