(VOVWORLD) - Marine economists say that after merging with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City is evolving beyond a mega city — into a mega maritime economic hub. The merger represents far more than a change in administrative boundaries. It marks a strategic shift of national significance.
 Inadequate infrastructure presents an obstacle to marine transport. (Photo: Luu Son/VOV in HCMC) |
Each locality has unique strengths. While Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s economic engine, Binh Duong is a manufacturing powerhouse, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau is a strategic maritime gateway. The new composite region makes up a vital link in Vietnam’s logistics value chain.
The merger is expected to streamline logistics and seamlessly connect production and export, paving the way for new FDI inflows and sustained growth.
According to Pham Anh Tuan, Director General of the Portcoast Consultant Corporation, inadequate transport connectivity is the main bottleneck hindering development.
Expressways and ring roads - particularly Ring Roads 3 and 4 - must be accelerated, Tuan says. Cat Lai Port is already operating beyond its designed capacity, creating congestion in the supply chain, while Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port is still far from fully tapping its potential due to insufficient infrastructure links.
“We’re aware of the problems in infrastructure connectivity. Planning is in place and is gradually being completed. I believe that within a few years, Ring Roads 3 and 4 will be finished, and both inland waterways and coastal shipping routes will be stabilized,” said Tuan.
 (Photo: Luu Son/VOV in HCMC) |
Nguyen Xuan Ky, Secretary General of the ASEAN Ports Association, said ongoing infrastructure projects will transform the southern transport landscape within the next two to three years.
Once expressways like Ben Luc-Long Thanh; HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay; and Ring Roads 3 and 4 are operational, they will facilitate import-export flows for HCM City and the entire southeastern and southwestern regions, Ky said.
“Once key arteries are cleared, major technology conglomerates will flock here. They’ll establish headquarters and export goods directly to the US,” he noted.
At its Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term, HCM City identified a key mission: to develop next-generation free trade zones in combination with smart logistics centers, international transshipment port clusters, and dedicated cargo airports. The city also plans to modernize and diversify its port system - reallocating functions, converting satellite ports along the Sai Gon River, and developing inland container depots to build a sustainable and efficient logistics network.
Port enterprises describe the merger of Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau with HCM City as a powerful synergy, reinforcing the city’s role as Vietnam’s center of economics, finance, and technology.
 Port enterprises hope to have breakthrough policies for the seaport system in HCM City. (Photo: Luu Son/VOV in HCMC) |
To leverage the advantages of each area, businesses have urged the government to accelerate the development of Cai Mep-Thi Vai as a world-class international transshipment port, and called for new transport links, like the Can Gio-Vung Tau coastal route and a high-speed rail line connecting HCM City with the former provinces of Ba Ria and Binh Duong, to enhance trade and logistics connectivity.
According to Nguyen Van Hai, a logistics entrepreneur in Cai Mep, a master plan linking production centers, consumer markets, and export gateways is crucial to realizing the vision of a maritime economic megacity.
“We’re thrilled about the plan to establish the Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone. We hope the government will facilitate its early formation, enabling businesses like ours to expand and contribute more to the national budget,” said Hai.
As competition in the maritime sector intensifies, sustained investment in port infrastructure will be the key to HCM City consolidating its role as Vietnam’s economic leader.