HCM City considers three shortlisted sites for building a new modern and centralised administrative centre to meet its long-term governance needs. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Diệp

HCM CITY — HCM City is considering three shortlisted sites for building a new modern and centralised administrative centre to meet its long-term governance needs.

The municipal People’s Committee has submitted to the Standing Board of the municipal Party Committee a proposal to study the development of the new administrative centre.

Following recent administrative mergers, the city now has 168 commune-level units.

However, government offices remain scattered across multiple sites, many of which are outdated and lack adequate facilities.

The new centre would accommodate around 7,000 officials and civil servants, with projections to streamline the workforce to about 5,800 by 2030.

According to the proposal, three sites are under consideration:

Former Thủ Đức City People’s Committee headquarters and an adjacent sports training area in Thạnh Mỹ Lợi Ward, with a total of about 7.7 hectares.

The site has existing infrastructure and could be developed quickly at a lower cost, but its capacity would only meet about half the projected staffing needs and traffic congestion in the area is a concern.

Hà Tiên Cement JSC’s former Thủ Đức cement grinding plant site in Trường Thọ Ward, covering 11.6ha, with the possibility of expanding to 19.6ha.

The location has excellent transport connectivity via Metro Line No.1 and Võ Nguyên Giáp Boulevard, and could support a “smart” administrative complex integrated with public services and green space.

However, the site is zoned industrial, requiring environmental remediation, relocation of existing facilities, land clearance and a zoning change, which could delay implementation. 

A cluster of nine land lots in Thủ Thiêm Urban Area, adjacent to Tố Hữu Street in An Khánh Ward, totalling roughly 7–9.6ha.

This prime location sits near the central lake of the new urban area, with strong transport links via Thủ Thiêm 2 Bridge, the ring road and the Sài Gòn River Tunnel.

The land is vacant and ready for construction, but the current master plan designates the area for cultural-educational use, so adjustments would be needed.

Depending on the planning option, the footprint could be expanded to 16ha or even over 30ha.

City officials said each option has advantages and challenges.

The former Thủ Đức headquarters and the Thủ Thiêm plots could be developed quickly thanks to available land and infrastructure, while the Hà Tiên Cement site offers the largest area for an integrated modern complex. 

The municipal government aims for the new centre to be a key element in building a smart, green and efficient administration, aligned with the city’s 2030 vision to become a leading Southeast Asian hub, and its 2045 goal of becoming a global centre for economy, finance, science and technology, culture and tourism. — VNS