HCMC confers more autonomy on Thu Duc City

Thu Duc City, formed in 2020 by merging the former district of the same name with Districts 9 and 2, will not have to seek approval from the city People’s Committee for making various decisions until 2025.

The People's Committee made the announcement in a release but without indicating why the greater autonomy will only be for two years.

Thu Duc can approve plans for land acquisition, compensation payment and resettlement of displaced people for construction projects.

It can approve 1/500-scale construction plans, the most detailed of various plans, and manage the collection and transportation of solid household waste.

It will manage all aspects of running the Thu Duc Public Service One Member Co. Ltd, which collects and transports solid waste, and executing green projects.

Thu Duc City can inspect, handle violations and settle complaints and denunciations brought against law-practicing organizations, and manage all purchases of public goods and services.

The city can manage traditional markets and organize auctions to choose their investors.

It is empowered to check media agencies and order them to stop operations if they fail to comply with regulations, name public works and approve art performances.

Measuring 211 square kilometers and with a population of more than one million, Vietnam's first "city within a city" is expected to account for 30% of the city's economy and 7% of the nation's, function as an "innovative urban area" encompassing the hi-tech park in District 9, the university neighborhood in Thu Duc District and the new urban area and financial center on Thu Thiem Peninsula in District 2.

However, it has not been able to fulfill its potential since it has been unable to make decisions on its own.