According to Ms. Le Thi Huynh Mai - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance, the total public investment capital in 2025 that the Government assigned to the city is VND84,149 billion.
However, as of March 14, 2025, the disbursed capital has only reached VND 2,555 billion, equivalent to about 3% of the total annual plan.
Previously, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee set a disbursement target for each quarter, in which the first quarter must reach at least 7.5%, striving for 10% or more; the second quarter must be at least 25%, aiming for 30% or more; the third quarter must not be below 50%, with the target of 70% or more; and the fourth quarter must complete at least 95%, striving for 100%.
Recently, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc has directed the Department of Home Affairs to coordinate with the Department of Finance, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the State Treasury of Region II to propose forms of handling for responsible organizations and individuals if there is a slow disbursement situation.
Units with a disbursement rate lower than the city's general target in each quarter will be criticized. In case the whole year does not meet the target or for two quarters or more it does not meet, the unit's leaders will be reviewed and reprimanded.
At the same time, relevant agencies and units need to clearly report the responsibilities of organizations and individuals when there are delays, consider handling them according to the Party's regulations on waste.
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has also just established a working group to promote the disbursement of public investment capital, headed by Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong.
The task of the working group is to direct the implementation of regulations, resolutions and plans related to public investment; remove difficulties, speed up construction progress, complete settlement and establish ownership after settlement.
The working group is also responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and supervising the progress of projects; proactively urging and resolving arising problems.
To speed up the progress of public investment disbursement, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance Le Thi Huynh Mai said that the city needs to direct special implementation of major projects, including: Ho Chi Minh City - Moc Bai Expressway, Xuyen Tam canal project, four BOT projects to upgrade and expand National Highways 1, 13, 22, the North - South axis road, according to the mechanism of Resolution 98.
Regarding investment preparation, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance proposed to assign all Group B and C projects to the People's Committees of districts, towns and Thu Duc City for implementation, except for projects with a scope related to two or more district-level administrative units.
Specialized Project Management Boards will undertake national key projects and group A projects.
In particular, the department proposed to innovate the appraisal process, instead of separating it as before, the specialized department will appraise everything from the policy to the project content, to shorten the time and avoid overlap in management.
Speaking at a recent socio-economic meeting, Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen frankly acknowledged: "Disbursement of public investment capital has not created a breakthrough, although the city has prepared and determined for many years".
Mr. Nguyen Van Nen emphasized that public investment is an important pillar to promote economic growth. Therefore, Ho Chi Minh City needs to view it objectively, thoroughly and fairly, drawing profound lessons to propose more practical and effective solutions in the second quarter and the remaining quarters of the year.
