HCM City is entering a “golden time” for high-tech and sustainable industrial development as it undergoes a major transformation of its growth model. With more than 1,600 active FDI projects worth over US$56 billion, the city aims for high-tech industries to contribute over 70% of industrial output by 2030 and to become a leading regional innovation hub by 2045. Industrial performance has been strong, with the 2025 industrial production index up 7.5% year-on-year. Mechanical engineering led growth at 18.3%, followed by pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastics, food processing, and electronics. Recovering domestic consumption and active market expansion are expected to support continued momentum in late 2025. The city’s recent administrative merger has created a larger, more diverse development space. Officials emphasise that industry will remain the core driver of growth, supported by stronger regional cooperation, trade fairs, and supply-chain linkages. Experts highlight the need for coherent innovation policies, especially for emerging sectors such as AI, data centres, and semiconductors. Recent milestones — including chip exports to South Korea and UAV exports to the US — signal Việt Nam’s rise in the global value chain. Smart city development must balance digital infrastructure with people-centred governance and inclusive growth across the expanded city. With strong industrial foundations and forward-looking strategies, HCM City is positioned for a historic leap into high-tech, sustainable and globally competitive development. — VNS (ICE HO CHI MINH CITY)

Fonte notizia: Vietnam News