(VOVworld) – 40 years since its liberation, Ho Chi Minh City has continuously developed, becoming a special urban area and Vietnam’s greatest economic, cultural, education, scientific and technological center. VOV’s Cao Thoa reports on this modern and dynamic city and 40 years of development.

Ho Chi Minh city at present

Having seen many ups and downs in the city and experiencing life there as a Youth Union member and lecturer at the University of Architecture, Nguyen Huu Thai, now an overseas Vietnamese who lives in Canada, recalled: "After the war, Vietnam was nearly isolated, with no aid from outside. I have lived far from the homeland for a long time, now when I return, I see a different Vietnam. It has been revitalized and developed".

Over the years, Ho Chi Minh city has followed a socialist oriented market economy model and implemented a number of mechanisms and policies to promote economic development. It also made contributions to setting up and completing the renewal policy of the Party and State. Dr. Tran Du Lich, deputy head of Ho Chi Minh city’s National Assembly deputies delegation, said: "Ho Chi Minh City has made a great contribution, especially to piloting the renewal of commodity production.  The city also took the lead in building, processing and exporting zones in the open economy and contributes to building laws on companies and private enterprises". 

In the period from 2011-2014, Ho Chi Minh city’s GDP increased 9.6 percent, a 1.7 times increase compared to national GDP. The city’s average GDP per capita reached more than 5,000 USD by the end of 2014. At present, Ho Chi Minh city contributes 21 percent of Vietnam’s GDP and 30 percent of the national state budget and is a leader in attracting investment. The city has a new look with the newly emerging urban areas such as Thu Thiem, and Phu My Hung. Phan Tien Dat is from the Farmers’ Association in Binh Chanh district: "After 40 years of development, Ho Chi Minh city has developed into a modern city with regional and national scale construction projects. I am very proud to be a citizen of the city". 

As a special urban area and a great economic, cultural, educational, scientific and technological center in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh city is set to develop into a center connecting the regions and countries of Southeast Asia. Le Hoang Quan, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh municipal People’s Committee, said: "The city gives top priority to developing infrastructure, especially social and technological infrastructure. Ho Chi Minh city is also focused on dealing with climate change and the impact of rising sea levels because it is a low-lying area. We have prepared to deal with any possible impacts from these things". 

In its master plan on socio-economic development towards 2020, with a vision to 2025, Ho Chi Minh city is focused on exploiting its potential for sustainable development, restructuring growth models and improving competitiveness. It will promote high-quality services and develop industries of high scientific, and technological values.