Home to nearly 10 million officially but pulsing with over 13 million in its metropolitan orbit, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's relentless and fascinating engine of growth, a portrait of modern urban vitality painted by its people, its economy, and its ambitious infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- Ho Chi Minh City's population reached 9,811,000 residents as of the 2023 estimate by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, marking a 2.5% annual growth rate from 2022
- The metro area population of Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 13.1 million people in 2023, encompassing surrounding districts and provinces according to UN Habitat data
- In 2019 census, Ho Chi Minh City had 2,066,400 households with an average household size of 4.1 persons per the Vietnam Population and Housing Census
- Ho Chi Minh City's GDP reached 142 billion USD in 2023, contributing 23% to Vietnam's total GDP per GSO annual report
- GDP per capita in Ho Chi Minh City was 16,300 USD in 2023, highest among Vietnamese provinces according to provincial statistics
- Economic growth rate of Ho Chi Minh City was 5.8% in 2023 despite global slowdown per World Bank Vietnam update
- Ho Chi Minh City has 7,500 km of roads including 150 km urban expressways as of 2023 municipal transport dept
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport handled 38 million passengers in 2023 per Airports Corporation of Vietnam
- Saigon Port throughput was 52 million tons of cargo in 2023 according to Vietnam Maritime Administration
- International tourists to Ho Chi Minh City reached 5.8 million in 2023, up 120% from 2022 per tourism department
- Domestic tourists visiting HCMC totaled 39 million in 2023 generating 120 trillion VND revenue
- Hotel rooms in HCMC number 52,000 across 1,200 establishments in 2023 STR report
- Air pollution PM2.5 annual average in Ho Chi Minh City was 25.1 µg/m³ in 2023 per IQAir monitor
- Green space per capita in HCMC is 0.55 sqm per person below WHO 9 sqm standard in 2023 urban planning
- Annual rainfall in HCMC totals 1,900 mm with 150 rainy days per Vietnam Met Office 2023
Ho Chi Minh City is a densely populated economic hub with dynamic growth and challenges.
Demographics
- Ho Chi Minh City's population reached 9,811,000 residents as of the 2023 estimate by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, marking a 2.5% annual growth rate from 2022
- The metro area population of Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 13.1 million people in 2023, encompassing surrounding districts and provinces according to UN Habitat data
- In 2019 census, Ho Chi Minh City had 2,066,400 households with an average household size of 4.1 persons per the Vietnam Population and Housing Census
- Ethnic Kinh comprise 86.5% of Ho Chi Minh City's population, totaling around 7.8 million people in 2023 estimates from Vietnam's Ministry of Home Affairs
- The youth population aged 15-24 in Ho Chi Minh City numbers 1.92 million, representing 19.6% of total population per 2022 GSO labor force survey
- Female population in Ho Chi Minh City stands at 50.2% or about 4.93 million women as per 2023 municipal statistics
- Migration inflow to Ho Chi Minh City was 285,000 people in 2022, primarily from Mekong Delta provinces according to GSO migration data
- Life expectancy at birth in Ho Chi Minh City is 76.5 years for males and 81.2 years for females in 2023 per Vietnam health ministry reports
- The working-age population (15-64) constitutes 68.4% or 6.71 million in Ho Chi Minh City as of 2023 GSO data
- Children under 15 make up 20.1% of Ho Chi Minh City's population, equating to 1.97 million in 2023 estimates
- Elderly population over 65 is 11.5% or 1.13 million in Ho Chi Minh City per 2023 WHO Vietnam demographics
- Urban density in Ho Chi Minh City averages 4,363 people per square kilometer in 2023 per World Bank urban data
- Birth rate in Ho Chi Minh City dropped to 14.2 per 1,000 population in 2022 according to municipal health department
- Death rate stands at 6.1 per 1,000 in Ho Chi Minh City for 2023 GSO vital statistics
- Net migration rate to Ho Chi Minh City is +1.8% annually as per 2022 internal migration survey by IOM Vietnam
- Foreign residents in Ho Chi Minh City number 78,000 expatriates in 2023 per immigration department
- Population growth rate slowed to 1.9% in 2023 from 2.4% in 2020 per HCMC People's Committee report
- District 1 has the highest population density at 28,500 per sq km in 2023 municipal census data
- Binh Tan district population exceeds 800,000 residents as of 2023 local statistics
- Female labor force participation rate is 72.3% in Ho Chi Minh City per 2023 GSO survey
- Literacy rate among adults over 15 is 98.7% in Ho Chi Minh City according to 2022 UNESCO data
- Average age of population in Ho Chi Minh City is 32.4 years in 2023 demographic profile
- Households with internet access reach 92% or 1.9 million in 2023 Vietnam digital report for HCMC
- Single-person households increased by 15% to 180,000 in 2022 GSO housing census update
- Vietnamese diaspora from HCMC estimated at 500,000 globally per 2023 migration observatory
- Student population in schools totals 1.8 million across all levels in 2023 education ministry data for HCMC
- Unemployment rate among youth aged 15-24 is 7.2% in 2023 ILO Vietnam report for HCMC
- Population projection for 2030 is 11.2 million for Ho Chi Minh City per UN medium variant
- Rural-urban migrants account for 35% of population growth since 2010 per World Bank study
- Gender ratio at birth is 111 males per 100 females in 2022 HCMC health stats
Demographics Interpretation
Ho Chi Minh City continues to be Vietnam's bustling, youthful, and magnetically diverse engine of growth, where a remarkably high female workforce drives forward a crowded, connected, and increasingly educated population that is gradually aging while still welcoming waves of newcomers.
Economy
- Ho Chi Minh City's GDP reached 142 billion USD in 2023, contributing 23% to Vietnam's total GDP per GSO annual report
- GDP per capita in Ho Chi Minh City was 16,300 USD in 2023, highest among Vietnamese provinces according to provincial statistics
- Economic growth rate of Ho Chi Minh City was 5.8% in 2023 despite global slowdown per World Bank Vietnam update
- Services sector accounts for 62.1% of HCMC GDP valued at 88 billion USD in 2023 GSO sectoral breakdown
- Manufacturing contributes 22.5% to HCMC GDP or 32 billion USD in 2023 per municipal economic committee
- Foreign Direct Investment inflow to Ho Chi Minh City totaled 4.2 billion USD in 2023 according to MPI Vietnam
- Retail sales in HCMC reached 180 billion USD in 2023 with 12% year-on-year growth per GSO trade stats
- Unemployment rate in Ho Chi Minh City was 3.4% in Q4 2023 per municipal labor department survey
- Average monthly salary in HCMC formal sector is 9.8 million VND or 390 USD in 2023 GSO wage survey
- Export value from Ho Chi Minh City hit 52 billion USD in 2023, mainly electronics and textiles per customs data
- Number of enterprises in HCMC exceeds 450,000 active businesses in 2023 business registry
- Tech startups in HCMC numbered 1,200 with 500 million USD funding in 2023 per Vietnam Silicon Valley report
- Tourism revenue contributed 8.5 billion USD to HCMC economy in 2023 pre-COVID recovery levels per tourism dept
- Stock market capitalization of HCMC-listed firms on HOSE was 220 billion USD end-2023 per SSC Vietnam
- Inflation rate in Ho Chi Minh City averaged 3.2% in 2023 per State Bank of Vietnam regional data
- Real estate transactions in HCMC totaled 120,000 units worth 15 billion USD in 2023 batdongsan report
- E-commerce sales in HCMC reached 25 billion USD in 2023 with 40% growth per VECOM
- Port of HCMC handled 8.5 million TEUs in 2023 generating 2.5 billion USD revenue per Saigon Newport
- Tax revenue collected in HCMC was 450 trillion VND or 18 billion USD in 2023 per tax department
- Budget expenditure in HCMC for 2023 was 380 trillion VND focused on infrastructure per finance dept
- Poverty rate in HCMC dropped to 1.2% in 2023 multi-dimensional poverty index by MOLISA
- Logistics sector GDP contribution is 15% or 21 billion USD in 2023 HCMC logistics association
- Coffee exports from HCMC processing hubs were 1.2 million tons worth 4 billion USD in 2023
- Garment and textile exports totaled 18 billion USD from HCMC factories in 2023 VITAS data
- Digital economy share in HCMC GDP is 25% or 35 billion USD in 2023 MIC report
Economy Interpretation
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's undisputed economic engine, humming along at a 5.8% growth rate with a massive services sector, yet this prosperous machine also grapples with affordable housing and a formal sector salary that, at $390 a month, reveals the challenging gap between its impressive macro figures and the lived experience on its bustling streets.
Environment
- Air pollution PM2.5 annual average in Ho Chi Minh City was 25.1 µg/m³ in 2023 per IQAir monitor
- Green space per capita in HCMC is 0.55 sqm per person below WHO 9 sqm standard in 2023 urban planning
- Annual rainfall in HCMC totals 1,900 mm with 150 rainy days per Vietnam Met Office 2023
- Flooding affects 1.5 million residents annually costing 500 million USD damages 2023 World Bank
- Waste generation in HCMC is 9,000 tons daily with 50% recycled in 2023 environment protection agency
- Air quality index exceeds 100 unhealthy days on 120 occasions in 2023 IQAir annual report
- Forest cover in HCMC metro area is 22% or 50,000 hectares protected in 2023 forestry dept
- River water quality class IV in 70% of Saigon River sections due to pollution 2023 MONRE
- Solar power installed capacity in HCMC reaches 500 MWp rooftop systems in 2023 EVN stats
- Dengue fever cases totaled 25,000 in HCMC 2023 with 25 deaths per health ministry
- Noise pollution exceeds 70 dB in 60% of urban roads daily in 2023 environment monitoring
- Carbon emissions from transport sector 4.5 million tons CO2eq annually 2023 low carbon plan
- Protected wetlands area in Can Gio 75,000 ha UNESCO biosphere reserve visited by 1 million 2023
- Plastic waste collected 150,000 tons yearly with 30% recovery rate in 2023 campaign data
- Temperature average yearly 27.5°C with heatwaves over 35°C 20 days in 2023 met station
- Groundwater depletion rate 1.5m/year in central districts causing subsidence 2023 geology survey
- Electric bus trial reduced 500 tons CO2 emissions in pilot routes 2023 green transport report
- Biodiversity in HCMC urban parks includes 500 bird species tracked 2023 birdlife intl
- Sewage treatment plants capacity 800,000 m3/day covering 25% population in 2023
- Typhoon impacts average 2 events/year with 100mm rain causing urban flooding 2023
- Tree planting campaign added 200,000 trees raising canopy cover to 18% in 2023
- PM10 dust levels average 58 µg/m³ exceeding standard 20 days/month in 2023 aqicn
- Energy efficiency buildings certified 150 green labels LEED EDGE in 2023
- Coastal erosion in Can Gio 50m/year affecting 10km shoreline 2023 MONRE report
- Water quality index for canals improved 15% after cleanup 2023-2020 investment 500m USD
Environment Interpretation
While struggling with polluted air, heavy floods, and urban heat, Ho Chi Minh City is a determined but choked metropolis inching towards a greener future through solar power, tree planting, and stubborn pockets of vibrant nature.
Infrastructure
- Ho Chi Minh City has 7,500 km of roads including 150 km urban expressways as of 2023 municipal transport dept
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport handled 38 million passengers in 2023 per Airports Corporation of Vietnam
- Saigon Port throughput was 52 million tons of cargo in 2023 according to Vietnam Maritime Administration
- Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien) under construction 19.7 km with 14 stations expected 2024 opening per HCMC Metro
- Ho Chi Minh City has 1,200 bridges including 50 over Saigon River as of 2023 infrastructure inventory
- Public bus fleet numbers 2,800 vehicles serving 1.2 million daily passengers in 2023 SATCO data
- 5G coverage reaches 95% of urban HCMC area in 2023 with 1,500 base stations per VNPT report
- District 7 has 250 km of dedicated bike lanes as part of 2023 green mobility plan
- Tan Cang Container Terminal capacity expanded to 2.4 million TEUs annually in 2023
- HCMC power grid supplies 45,000 GWh annually to 8 million customers per EVN HCMC
- Water supply coverage is 98% serving 9.5 million with 1.8 million cubic meters daily in 2023 SAWACO
- Waste collection daily volume is 9,200 tons handled by 32 landfills in 2023 environment dept
- High-rise buildings over 100m number 120 in HCMC skyline as of 2023 CTBUH database
- Ring Road 2 completed 65 km linking 8 districts by end-2023 per transport ministry
- Long Thanh International Airport project impacts HCMC with future capacity 100 million pax per ACI
- Public WiFi hotspots exceed 10,000 across HCMC in 2023 smart city initiative
- Flood drainage system upgraded with 200 pumping stations handling 100,000 l/s in 2023
- Electric vehicle charging stations number 500 in public spaces by 2023 EVN plan
- HCMC has 450 hospitals and clinics with 45,000 beds total capacity in 2023 health ministry
- Universities total 80 institutions enrolling 450,000 students in 2023 MOET data
- Motorbike registrations hit 8.5 million vehicles on HCMC roads in 2023 transport registry
- Thu Thiem Bridge 2 spans 1.5 km costing 1.8 billion USD opened 2023
Infrastructure Interpretation
Ho Chi Minh City is a metropolis frantically building its way out of its own explosive growth, layering bridges, ports, and metro lines over a sea of motorbikes while trying to wire, water, and power its way toward a future that arrives faster than the traffic moves.
Tourism
- International tourists to Ho Chi Minh City reached 5.8 million in 2023, up 120% from 2022 per tourism department
- Domestic tourists visiting HCMC totaled 39 million in 2023 generating 120 trillion VND revenue
- Hotel rooms in HCMC number 52,000 across 1,200 establishments in 2023 STR report
- Ben Thanh Market attracts 20,000 visitors daily averaging 7 million annually per local tourism stats
- Cu Chi Tunnels site welcomed 1.2 million tourists in 2023 with 80% international
- Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica sees 2 million visitors yearly in 2023 TripAdvisor data
- Occupancy rate of 4-5 star hotels in HCMC was 72% average in 2023 CBRE hospitality report
- Night tourism revenue in HCMC hit 2 billion USD in 2023 night economy plan results
- War Remnants Museum received 1.5 million visitors in 2023 mostly foreigners per museum stats
- Cruise ship arrivals at HCMC ports totaled 150 vessels with 200,000 passengers in 2023
- Street food tours in HCMC booked by 500,000 tourists annually via Klook 2023 data
- Average tourist spend per international visitor is 1,200 USD during 7-day stay in 2023 WTTC
- Mekong Delta day trips from HCMC attract 3 million tourists yearly per tour operator stats
- HCMC ranked 6th in Asia-Pacific for MICE tourism events hosting 450 in 2023 ICCA
- Airbnb listings in HCMC exceed 15,000 properties with 2 million guest nights in 2023
- Central Post Office visits 1.8 million tourists per year 2023 Google trends analysis
- Festival tourism during Tet sees 10 million visitors influx to HCMC in 2023
- Golf tourism courses in HCMC vicinity host 300,000 rounds annually 2023 VGTA
- Spa and wellness centers revenue 1.5 billion USD from 4 million treatments in 2023
- Shopping mall footfall in HCMC averages 50 million visits yearly across 100 malls 2023
- Yacht tourism along Saigon River growing with 50 charters daily in 2023 peak season
- HCMC hosts 120 international conferences drawing 150,000 delegates in 2023 MPI
- Reunification Palace attracts 2.5 million visitors annually 2023 official count
- Average hotel room rate in HCMC rose to 85 USD/night in 2023 from 70 USD in 2022 STR
- Jade Emperor Pagoda receives 1 million worshippers and tourists yearly 2023
Tourism Interpretation
Ho Chi Minh City is not merely recovering; it's hosting an ambitious, round-the-clock symphony of commerce and culture where tourists spend their days navigating historic tunnels and their nights fueling a two-billion-dollar after-dark economy, all while the city meticulously counts every visitor, every bowl of pho, and every hotel pillow to prove it's back and playing to win.
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