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Six New Urban Zones Transform Ho Chi Minh City Housing and Transport
The 2040 master plan's division into six zones alongside projects such as Thu Thiem and new social housing are changing access to homes, transport and open space for people living in central wards and Thu Duc.
How we reported this
Ho Chi Minh City has restructured into six urban zones under its 2040 master plan, a change that directly affects where residents can find new housing, parks and transport links. The zones cover Central, Eastern (Thu Duc), Western (Binh Chanh), Northern (Cu Chi-Hoc Mon), Southern (District 7-Nha Be) and Southeastern (Can Gio).
Why the zone changes matter now for everyday residents
The division guides where new housing and infrastructure are built, giving people clearer options for moving closer to jobs or staying in familiar districts. Central wards such as Ben Thanh, Saigon and Cho Quan are seeing vacant land plots turned into parks and open spaces, while larger developments are concentrated in Thu Duc and Nha Be. This shift can reduce travel time for families who previously crossed the city for work or schooling.
Specific projects already under way in Thu Duc and Nha Be
Thu Thiem in Thu Duc covers 737 hectares and is expected to complete in 2025. The Global City in An Phu Ward within Thu Duc is a 117.4-hectare mixed-use site that includes high- and low-rise apartments, villas, social housing, schools and medical facilities plus a 125,000 square metre shopping mall, with 616 apartments due to become available by 2026. In Nha Be, the Hiep Phuoc port area spans 3,900 hectares, while the broader West-North zone covers 6,000 hectares. These sites are intended to supply housing and services that local households can reach without long commutes.
Social housing targets and transport links that affect daily costs
The Dragon E-Home project in Long Truong Ward provides 19,000 square metres and 764 apartments. The city aims for 35,000 social housing units by 2030, including 2,025 units to be finished by the end of 2026. At the same time, the Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem metro line of 6.2 kilometres is scheduled to begin construction in April 2026, connecting the old centre directly with Thu Thiem. Residents in central wards and Thu Duc stand to gain shorter journeys and potentially lower transport expenses once the line opens.
Construction timelines for these projects remain on track according to current schedules, with the next visible steps being the start of metro work in April 2026 and the release of the first apartments at Global City by the end of the same year. People interested in the new housing or park spaces can follow updates through the city’s official planning channels listed on the sources below.