Planning 9 strategic areas
According to the General Planning Project of Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, until 2040, which has just been approved by the Prime Minister, Thu Duc is divided into 9 sub-zones with specific functions, aiming at comprehensive and sustainable development.
Zone 1 includes Thu Thiem, An Loi Dong, Thao Dien and part of An Khanh, An Phu. This is an international financial, commercial, service and cultural center, combined with an ecological urban area along the Saigon River.
Zone 2, including Hiep Binh Chanh and part of Linh Dong, Truong Tho, Hiep Binh Phuoc, is the administrative, cultural and commercial center, acting as the northern gateway to Truong Tho tourist wharf.
Zone 3, including Linh Tay, Linh Chieu, Binh Tho and part of Tam Phu, Tam Binh, focuses on developing Ho Chi Minh City National University and restructuring industrial parks, towards urban areas associated with training and transit services.
Zone 4, including Long Binh and part of Tan Phu, Long Thanh My, is a cultural, entertainment and logistics center, connecting Bien Hoa and Dong Nai. Here, a National Historical - Cultural Park and a modern logistics port will be developed.
Zone 5, concentrated in Long Phuoc and part of Truong Thanh, Long Truong, aims at innovation with a focus on the Science and Technology Park.
Zone 6, including part of Thanh My Loi, Cat Lai, Binh Trung Dong, will become a center for port services and logistics industry.
Zone 7, in Binh Trung Tay and part of An Phu, Phu Huu, is the existing area connecting the port and Thu Thiem financial center.
Zone 8, including Phuoc Long A, Phuoc Long B and Phuoc Binh, is oriented to become a national sports and entertainment center.
Finally, zone 9 including Hiep Phu, Tang Nhon Phu A, Tang Nhon Phu B and part of Long Thanh My will focus on high-tech manufacturing.
Breakthrough opportunity
Architect Vo Kim Cuong - former Deputy Chief Architect of Ho Chi Minh City, commented that the new planning brings great opportunities for Thu Duc.
Zone 1 will become an international financial, commercial and cultural center, attracting investment from large corporations in the fields of finance, real estate and high-end services. Thu Thiem area promises to become the "Eastern city" of Ho Chi Minh City with global appeal.
Zone 5, with a focus on the Science and Technology Park, will promote research and development, making Thu Duc a regional technology hub.
Zones 4 and 6 focus on logistics and Long Binh dry port, creating an advantage in connecting the Southeast region and Long Thanh airport.
The new planning also focuses on combining green space and ecological landscape, improving the quality of life.
Dr. Tran Quang Thang - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Economics and Management, said that Thu Duc faces many challenges in implementing the new planning.
The need for large investment capital for financial, technological and educational centers is an obstacle, while current infrastructure does not meet the requirements.
High-quality human resources needed to meet development goals remain a major problem, as the education system has not kept pace with development. Furthermore, traffic connections to areas such as Long Thanh airport are still lacking in synchronization, putting great pressure on existing infrastructure.
According to Mr. Thang, Thu Duc needs to attract domestic and foreign investment through transparent incentive policies and issue urban bonds to implement key projects.
Thu Duc should promote cooperation between businesses and universities, focusing on training in high technology, finance and logistics.
Accelerating the progress of strategic transport projects such as Ring Road 3, expanding the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway, and developing smart transport will help increase connectivity and reduce congestion.
