Business · Vietnam Bureau
Ho Chi Minh City surges 81 places in global cities ranking
Vietnam's largest city has climbed significantly in Oxford Economics' 2026 global cities index, reaching 205th position as improvements in governance, human capital and economic performance drive the advance.
LSN Vietnam ·

Ho Chi Minh City has achieved a substantial gain in international competitiveness rankings, ascending 81 places to claim 205th position in Oxford Economics' latest global cities assessment. The improvement reflects strengthening across multiple dimensions that determine a city's capacity to attract investment, talent and business activity.
The city's progress has been underpinned by measurable gains in governance structures, human capital development and economic fundamentals, according to the ranking framework. These three areas represent critical factors in how international assessors evaluate metropolitan centers competing for regional and global significance.
The advance positions Vietnam's commercial hub higher among major Asian urban centers and reflects broader efforts to enhance infrastructure, institutional capacity and business conditions. The ranking carries implications for foreign direct investment decisions and corporate relocation strategies in Southeast Asia.
Oxford Economics' annual global cities index evaluates metropolitan areas across numerous indicators including economic output, innovation capacity, infrastructure quality, and institutional strength. Cities are benchmarked against international peers to provide investors and policymakers with comparative assessments of urban competitiveness.