Can Gio tipped as Ho Chi Minh City’s next growth engine
(NLDO) - As Ho Chi Minh City searches for fresh drivers of growth in its marine economy and tourism sector, Can Gio is fast emerging as a strategic frontier.
On May 12, Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper convened a high-profile seminar, “Can Gio - A New Growth Pole of Ho Chi Minh City,” at Vinhomes Central Park. The event brought together over 150 participants, including government leaders, industry experts, business executives, investors, and representatives from travel companies.
Discussions centered on Can Gio’s strategic role in advancing Ho Chi Minh City’s marine economy and tourism sector, with a focus on positioning the district as a future growth engine for the metropolis.
Experts at the seminar stressed that Can Gio is at a turning point for breakthrough development.
Opening the seminar, Pham Huy Binh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, underscored the significance of the forum. He emphasized that Can Gio’s development is not simply a local concern, but a key component of a broader strategy to expand sustainable growth space for the city as a whole.
With its extensive mangrove forests, coastal resources and distinctive ecosystem, bolstered by improving transport infrastructure, Can Gio is being positioned as a new growth pole for Ho Chi Minh City’s marine economy, tourism and logistics. The district is also expected to round out the city’s tourism ecosystem by offering experiences that blend urban life with nature, local culture and resort activities.
From the industry’s perspective, Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, Vice Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association and Deputy CEO of Vietravel, noted that while the city led the nation’s tourism sector in 2025 with revenues topping VND278 trillion and tens of millions of visitors, it still lacks large-scale resort spaces and entertainment complexes that encourage longer stays.
As Ho Chi Minh City seeks new growth drivers, Can Gio is increasingly seen as a strategic option. With vast coastal land reserves, a unique natural ecosystem and the potential for integrated planning from the outset, the district could help the metropolis evolve beyond its traditional commercial-service model toward a multi-center urban structure in the future.
The presentations were followed by an in-depth panel discussion
Drawing on lessons from leading global tourism hubs, Tran Quang Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Economic and Management Research, suggested that Can Gio could adapt insights from internationally renowned destinations such as Sentosa, Dubai and Las Vegas.
He emphasized that Can Gio’s mangrove ecosystem, coastal landscape and biodiversity provide a foundation for sustainable eco-tourism. In the long term, he argued, the district should chart its own course - not simply replicate Dubai or Las Vegas - by evolving into an “international marine eco-tourism megacity” rooted in southern Vietnam’s cultural identity.
With modern transport links and large-scale resort and entertainment complexes, Can Gio is envisioned as Ho Chi Minh City’s “gateway to the sea” and a future international destination.
Speaking on the conditions required for a mega project to become a true “mega destination” - one that attracts tourists while creating a broad ecosystem for commerce, services and experiences - Nguyen Thi Hoa, Marketing Director of Vinpearl, said Can Gio is well-positioned to emerge as Vietnam’s next major tourism hub.
Journalist - Dr. To Dinh Tuan, Editor-in-Chief of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, delivers closing remarks at the seminar.
Anchored by the 2,870-hectare Vinhomes Green Paradise project, designed under an integrated city model, Can Gio is being positioned to evolve into an international-standard tourism, resort and entertainment ecosystem aligned with global trends in green tourism and wellness travel.
Coupled with strategic infrastructure projects linking the district to Long Thanh International Airport and the wider southeastern region, Can Gio is increasingly seen as a new growth pole for Ho Chi Minh City - not only in tourism and commerce, but also in the emerging nighttime economy.
Closing the seminar, journalist - Dr. To Dinh Tuan, Editor-in-Chief of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, highlighted the transformative potential of Can Gio. He noted that with a new development orientation and the launch of the Vinhomes Green Paradise project, the district could undergo a dramatic shift if implemented in line with its planning and long-term vision - likening the change to “Cinderella” emerging as a new growth hub for the city.
Looking ahead, Can Gio is envisioned not only as a new coastal urban area, but also as a symbol of green, modern and people-centered development for Ho Chi Minh City.