"The Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee has decided to separate the Department of Planning and Architecture from the Department of Construction. This is permitted by regulations and within the city's authority," said Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang at the 4th (expanded) City Party Committee Conference on the morning of 15/9.
Government Decree 45/2024 allows Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to have separate Departments of Planning and Architecture to advise and assist the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee in state management of planning, construction, and architecture.
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Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang speaks at the conference on 15/9. Photo: An Phuong |
Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang speaks at the conference on 15/9. Photo: An Phuong
Mr. Quang explained that when the Department of Planning and Architecture was merged into the Department of Construction earlier this year, the city did not fully anticipate the workload and scale of development after merging with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, leading to an inadequate administrative apparatus. Now, with Ho Chi Minh City covering nearly 7,000 km2 and a population of over 14 million, a specialized agency with sufficient capacity and resources is needed to comprehensively manage planning and architecture.
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Ho Chi Minh City center, 7/2025. Photo: Quynh Tran |
Ho Chi Minh City center, 7/2025. Photo: Quynh Tran
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary, the city is also expediting the development of a comprehensive socio-economic development plan as a basis for attracting strategic investors while implementing sectoral plans, construction planning, and infrastructure development. He suggested the city should implement these plans concurrently rather than sequentially and consider hiring international consulting firms, funded through social contributions, while ensuring a specialized department provides consultation and coordination.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture was established in 2002, based on the city's Chief Architect agency. In early 2024, during the reorganization of specialized agencies, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council approved the merger of this department into the Department of Construction.
Le Tuyet
