Ho Chi Minh City selects location for new administrative center to accommodate 7,000 staff members

Ho Chi Minh City Proposes Building a New Administrative Center in Thu Thiem New Urban Area to Provide Office Space for Over 7,000 Civil Servants

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee (HCMC PC) has submitted a proposal to the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee to study and implement the construction of a new municipal administrative center, aiming to address the current issues of dispersed and outdated government offices while moving toward the vision of becoming an internationally influential mega-city.

Current Situation and Urgent Need

According to the city government, following the merger of administrative boundaries, Ho Chi Minh City remains Vietnam’s special-class city and economic powerhouse, with plans to become a leading Southeast Asian hub for finance, commerce, education, science & technology, and innovation.

Currently, municipal government agencies are scattered across multiple locations, with many buildings aged and lacking adequate space, as well as insufficient technical infrastructure, IT systems, and support facilities. This affects interdepartmental coordination, administrative efficiency, and the quality of services provided to residents and businesses.

Proposed Locations

The city has proposed three potential sites:

1. Former Thu Duc City People’s Committee headquarters, with an additional 7.73 hectares of adjacent land in Thanh My Loi Ward.

2. Ha Tien Cement site in Truong Tho Ward, Thu Duc City, with 11.6 hectares (expandable to 19.6 hectares). This location is close to Metro Line No. 1 and suitable for a “smart administration – integrated services – green space” model, but as it is currently industrial land, it requires pollution remediation and land clearance, which could take significant time.

3. Cluster of land plots in Thu Thiem New Urban Area, totaling 9.6 hectares along To Huu Street in An Khanh Ward.

After evaluation, the central lake area in Thu Thiem New Urban Area is considered the most optimal choice due to convenient transport connections and available land ready for immediate development, although adjustments to approved urban planning will be required.

Scale and Functions

The new administrative center will be funded by public investment and located in a central area for easy public access, providing workspace for about 7,000 civil servants (reduced to around 5,800 by 2030 under the downsizing plan).

Planned facilities include:

• Administrative office complexes for the municipal government, departments, and affiliated agencies.

• Conference and remote command center to support online meetings and cross-district coordination.

• Support service facilities, including a library, data center, media center, and common spaces.

• Comprehensive infrastructure: underground parking, security systems, fire prevention systems, and an Integrated Operations Center (IOC).

• Green spaces and public amenities to ensure a modern and comfortable working environment.

Projected Timeline

If approved, the city will review and adjust planning with the goal of breaking ground in Q1 2026.

Previously, in 2015, the city planned to build a centralized administrative center at 86 Le Thanh Ton Street (1.8 hectares), accommodating 1,700 civil servants. However, given current staffing numbers and expanded functional requirements, the site no longer meets the needs for a fully centralized administrative facility.

As Ho Chi Minh City moves toward becoming a modern mega-city, the creation of a centralized administrative center will not only improve governance efficiency but also serve as a new landmark symbolizing transparency, modernization, and public service excellence.