The article by Mr. Đinh Hồng Kỳ, published in Forbes Vietnam on August 19, 2025
Vung Tau – A Coastal Gateway Empowering Ho Chi Minh City’s Rise to an Asian Bay Metropolis
With a population of more than 14 million, Ho Chi Minh City is being reshaped into a modern megacity—not confined to the mainland, but increasingly interconnected with the blue economy. In this context, Vung Tau is no longer just a weekend retreat; it has the chance to become a strategic maritime economic hub—similar to the role of Yokohama to Tokyo or Shenzhen to Hong Kong.
1. Four Rare Strategic Pillars
Vung Tau possesses four strategic assets simultaneously:
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An international-class deep-water port (Cái Mép – Thị Vải)
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A modern air gateway (Long Thanh International Airport under expansion)
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A luxury resort–entertainment cluster (Ho Tram)
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A roadmap for green energy development in the Southeast region
These factors combine to form a closed cycle: international goods and travelers enter through ports and airports → connect to Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta via expressways and inter-regional rail/road → circulate through future ring road systems. Once complete, this network will transform Vung Tau into a true maritime gateway for Ho Chi Minh City—beyond its image as a beach resort.
A global reference is JAFZA in Dubai: the integration of deep-water ports, free trade zones, and international aviation has turned it into a global logistics and financial hub. If the Cái Mép FTZ is developed strategically, Vung Tau can achieve a similar breakthrough, converting location advantage into sustainable competitiveness.
2. Ho Tram – Awakening High-End International Leisure Demand
The Grand Ho Tram complex has established a luxury leisure–tourism anchor, featuring resorts, The Bluffs golf course, and a 5,000 m² international casino operating 24/7. This premium entertainment hub attracts affluent tourists while elevating the Ho Tram – Vung Tau brand on the global luxury tourism map.
With Vietnam’s Net Zero 2050 commitment, Vung Tau can also emerge as a green energy hub for the Southeast, enabling green logistics and attracting ESG-driven investment flows—an increasingly valuable advantage in future financial planning.
3. Global Lessons: Busan, Dubai, Monaco
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Busan (South Korea): One of Asia’s largest ports, developed in parallel with MICE tourism and maritime events. Its dual model of port–tourism–events offers Vung Tau lessons in aligning port industry with bay urbanism.
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Dubai (Jebel Ali): A synergy of deep-water ports, FTZ, and aviation created a commerce–logistics–finance hub, further powering luxury tourism. The FTZ serves as an “institutional anchor” drawing global supply chains.
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Monaco/Monte Carlo: Built its luxury image on casinos, yachts, and private finance. Vung Tau could localize this model by combining casino–golf–yachting–wellness, but with strict social and environmental governance.
4. Domestic Comparison – Vung Tau’s Connectivity Advantage
Other coastal cities in Vietnam each have strengths but lack Vung Tau’s holistic connectivity:
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Ha Long – Lach Huyen: Strong in tourism and ports, but without a new international airport like Long Thanh.
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Da Nang – Lien Chieu: Developing port and MICE tourism, but lacks balance between maritime and inland connectivity like the HCMC–Cái Mép region.
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Nha Trang – Cam Ranh: Fast-growing tourism hub, but no large container transshipment port.
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Phu Quoc: Premium resort destination with casinos, but geographic isolation limits logistics potential.
5. The “Bay City” Trend – Real Demand from the Affluent Class
Cities like Vancouver, Sydney, San Francisco show that bayfront real estate consistently commands high prices and occupancy, thanks to landscapes, health amenities, and global connectivity. This trend is reaching Vietnam: Ha Long, Nha Trang, and potentially Vung Tau.
Combined with the post-pandemic rise of wellness/medical tourism, Vung Tau could evolve into an “Asian Bay City for the affluent” featuring yachts, healthcare, arts, gastronomy, wellness, and golf.
Yet, it must avoid the “resort city trap” seen in parts of Thailand or Cambodia. Solutions include:
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Developing FTZs and sandbox regimes for port–logistics–finance services
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Applying bay environmental standards (water quality monitoring, waste/plastic control)
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Promoting “sea–science–spa” instead of the old “sea–sun–sand” formula
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Completing connectivity infrastructure (expressways, BRT, light rail)
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Governing casinos as part of a diversified ecosystem, not the sole objective
6. A New Economic Triangle: HCMC – Binh Duong – Vung Tau
If institutional reforms (FTZ, special mechanisms) are synchronized with infrastructure, the HCMC (finance–technology) – Binh Duong (high-tech industry) – Vung Tau (maritime–energy–logistics) triangle could emerge as a new growth pole in the next decade. Vung Tau holds the potential to become the “Busan of Vietnam.”
Conclusion
Vung Tau enjoys rare advantages: a coastal city with both an international deep-water port and a luxury leisure–tourism destination. When integrated with green energy, advanced infrastructure, and premium tourism, the Gành Rái – Long Thanh – Thủ Thiêm bay belt will transform Vung Tau from a weekend beach spot into a maritime economic hub for services–logistics–green energy, taking Ho Chi Minh City one step closer to becoming an Asian Bay Metropolis.
Dinh Hong Ky
Chairman of Secoin Corporation
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Construction & Building Materials Association (SACA),
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Green Business Association (HGBA)
Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA).
Original article link on Doanh Nhân Sài Gòn Online: https://forbes.vn/vung-tau-diem-tua-vinh-bien-de-tp-hcm-vuon-tam-chau-a
