ホーチミン市は2026年4月29日（ベトナム解放記念日51周年の前日）、メトロ2号線（ベンタイン〜トゥーティエム）・行政センター・ホーチミン博物館改修・カンザー国際中継港などの大規模インフラプロジェクトの起工式（着工式）を実施した。報道によれば、このタイミングで着工した主要プロジェクトの総投資額は約15.5兆〜28兆ドン規模（メトロ2号線は2030年第4四半期完成予定など、完成は数年先）。なお「13件・総額約26.4兆ドン」という規模で報じられているのは7月2日のホーチミン市改称50周年に合わせた別の起工式であり、本記事が4月30日の出来事として扱っている『13件・VND341兆』という数字は一次情報で裏付けが取れなかった。
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
ニャーロン〜カインホイ港の国際クルーズターミナル化計画が進んでいる。VND6,250億（約35億円）の投資でリノベーションされる同港は、アジア各国からの豪華客船の受け入れ拡大を見込んでいる。クルーズ観光でホーチミン市を訪れる旅行者が増える見込みだ。
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.
