Ho Chi Minh City has announced a long‑term plan to become an internationally competitive maritime hub in Asia by 2045. The ambition matters because it could turn the city into a central point for trade, finance and marine technology in the region.

A cornerstone of the plan is the Can Gio International Transshipment Port, which will be built on Phu Loi Islet near the Cai Mep River. The project is expected to receive more than VND128.8 trillion in investment, roughly five billion US dollars.

City authorities expect the marine economy to become a major driver of overall economic growth. By 2030, they target coastal and island tourism revenue to rise by an average of 14 % per year and the value of marine aquaculture to increase by about 8 % annually.

The strategy also calls for digitising all marine data and for collecting and treating 100 % of coastal plastic waste. Implementation will start with policy mechanisms in 2026, followed by infrastructure and sector expansion from 2027 to 2030.

If the milestones are met, Ho Chi Minh City could see stronger economic growth, new jobs and a greener, smarter port system. The city’s maritime push therefore matters not only for local prosperity but also for the wider Asian logistics network.