On April 29, 2026 (the day before the 51st anniversary of Vietnam's Reunification Day), Ho Chi Minh City held groundbreaking ceremonies for major infrastructure projects including Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem), an administrative center, the renovation of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, and the Can Gio international transshipment port. According to reports, the total investment for the major projects that broke ground at this time was roughly 15.5-28 trillion dong (Metro Line 2, for example, is slated for completion in Q4 2030, with completion still years away for these projects). Note that the figure reported as "13 projects, roughly 26.4 trillion dong" refers to a separate groundbreaking held on July 2 to mark the 50th anniversary of the city's renaming, and the "13 projects, 341 trillion dong" figure this article treats as an April 30 event could not be confirmed against primary sources.
Projects directly relevant to travelers
Development of the metro lines
Following the already-opened Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien line (Line 1, 19.7km, 14 stations), development of new lines is progressing. With the metro spreading, getting around for city sightseeing becomes far easier. You can tour major spots at your own pace without waiting for a tour bus.
Turning it into an international cruise terminal
Plans are moving ahead to turn the Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi port into an international cruise terminal. With an investment of 625 billion dong (about 3.5 billion yen), the port renovation is expected to expand capacity for luxury cruise ships arriving from across Asia. More travelers are expected to visit Ho Chi Minh City on cruise tourism.
Long Thanh International Airport (Dong Nai Province)
Long Thanh International Airport, under construction in Dong Nai Province adjacent to Ho Chi Minh City, is scheduled for Phase 1 completion within 2026. Its annual passenger-handling capacity is 25 million. It will distribute the load on the currently congested Tan Son Nhat Airport, with a possibility of increased direct flights from Japan too.
Ho Chi Minh City's 2026 tourism targets
The targets the city has set for 2026 are as follows.
| Indicator | Target value |
|---|---|
| Total number of tourists | 61 million people |
| Of which foreign tourists | 11 million people |
| Tourism revenue target | 330 trillion VND (about 1.85 trillion yen) |
Ho Chi Minh City guide by tourist area
District 1 (the center of the old town)
The heart of sightseeing where Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Cathedral, and the Central Post Office cluster. Metro Line 1's Ben Thanh Station provides direct, convenient access. Coffee shops and restaurants are densely packed, making it ideal as a base for getting around.
Notable café area around District 1
Many of Ho Chi Minh City's alley cafés are spaces renovated from old buildings. The "café paradise" nature of full Wi-Fi, available power outlets, and long stays being OK makes them the best rest spots for travelers. Iced coffee (ca phe sua da) can be enjoyed from the 50-to-100-yen range a cup.
Tan Binh District, Binh Thanh District
Living areas where many local people reside. Banh mi shops, pho shops, and local markets are densely packed, and you can experience the "real Ho Chi Minh City" that isn't touristified. There are also many cheap inns for backpackers.
Practical advice for travel planning
The second half of 2026 is the recommended visiting period
Around April 30, the city may be crowded due to the commemorative ceremony. May to August (rainy season, but no problem for indoor sightseeing), when infrastructure development settles down, or October to December (dry season, the best sightseeing season), is comfortable.
Cut travel costs by using the metro
Metro Line 1 can also be used for travel from the airport (Tan Son Nhat) into the city. The one-way fare between District 1 and the airport is about 20,000 to 25,000 VND (about 120 to 150 yen in Japanese yen). That's less than a tenth of a taxi.
For those unsure about Vietnam travel souvenirs, we offer Vietnamese drip-coffee gift sets, a standard even at Ho Chi Minh City cafés.
