Ho Chi Minh City is entering a new phase of modernizing its transportation network. City authorities are urgently finalizing approval procedures for the launch of 12 key infrastructure projects. The total investment volume will exceed 381 trillion Vietnamese Dong (approximately $14.4 billion). The start of construction work is timed to coincide with a significant date — the 50th anniversary of the official renaming of Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City, which will be celebrated on July 2, 2026. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction and Department of Transport are actively working on project evaluation and contractor selection, aiming for the first five crucial projects to receive official approval to commence work in July and September of this year.
Among the key projects slated for groundbreaking on July 2 is the Ho Tram – Long Thanh urban expressway. This four-lane highway, spanning over 42 km, will connect the new Long Thanh Airport with the Ho Tram resort area. The cost of this project, implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, is estimated at 51.5 trillion Dong (approximately $1.95 billion).
Another large-scale construction will be the Can Gio – Vung Tau bridge with an underwater tunnel, spanning over 14 km and costing 92.6 trillion Dong (approximately $3.5 billion), with Vingroup as the investor. It will directly connect the two regions and reduce travel time to 15–20 minutes.
Also in July, Sun Group is preparing to commence work on the creation of the Ben Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi cultural park and the redevelopment of the Saigon River waterfront. The total investment will amount to 30 trillion Dong (approximately $1.14 billion).
In September, construction will begin on the Cat Lai – Phu Huu inter-port road, costing 8.7 trillion Dong (approximately $330 million), and the Thu Thiem 4 Bridge, valued at over 5 trillion Dong (approximately $190 million), which will connect the Tan Dinh and An Khanh districts to relieve congestion on key city streets.
Concurrently, in June, the preparation of documentation is being finalized for the Ho Chi Minh City – Moc Bai expressway, with a budget of approximately 23 trillion Dong (about $870 million), and the Binh Tien Bridge.
Documents are also being prepared for the construction of two interchanges on the Ben Luc – Long Thanh expressway: one at the intersection with National Highway 50, and the second with the Rung Sac road.
A special place in the modernization plans is occupied by the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh urban railway line, with a budget of 175.8 trillion Dong (approximately $6.65 billion). As a significant portion of this line will pass through Dong Nai province, Ho Chi Minh City authorities have already approached its leadership with a proposal for joint funding and land allocation for this project.
The implementation of all planned projects will not only connect Ho Chi Minh City with key economic zones but also provide a powerful impetus for the development of logistics and tourism in southern Vietnam. The majority of the new roads and bridges are planned for commissioning between 2027 and 2029.