The event was jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (Hepza) and the Ho Chi Minh City Investment & Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC).

Speaking at the workshop, ITPC Deputy Director Cao Thi Phi Van stated that following the merger, the expanded Ho Chi Minh City possesses not only strong financial and commercial capacity, but also Binh Duong’s advanced industrial development and Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s seaport logistics ecosystem, as well as potential in agriculture and marine tourism.

This convergence creates a closed value chain from production, logistics and finance to consumption and services, helping to reduce transaction costs and enhance the competitiveness of the whole region.

In addition, with a population of 13.5 million and an urbanisation rate of 78%, the expanded Ho Chi Minh City will become Viet Nam’s first megacity, creating a large labour market and an attractive destination for international investment.

According to Hepza Deputy Director Tran Viet Ha, the expanded Ho Chi Minh City has 66 export processing and industrial zones covering a total area of 27,000 hectares.

By 2050, the figures are expected to increase to 105 zones with a total area of 49,000 hectares, making Ho Chi Minh City the nation’s leading industrial hub.

During the 2025-2030 period, export processing and industrial zones in Ho Chi Minh City aim to attract 20 to 21 billion USD in investment, with a focus on high-tech and environmentally friendly industries.

At the workshop, delegates and experts discussed opportunities, the investment climate, legal frameworks and other issues of concern to foreign investors as the industrial real estate sector enters a phase of more rigorous selection based on legality, location and profit potential.