From fishing village to modern ward: Long Hai in Ho Chi Minh City upgrades its status

Long Hai, a coastal area with over three centuries of history as a fishing village, has officially been upgraded to a ward. This transformation signifies a new chapter for the region, recognized for its robust economic and tourism development.

With an 11-kilometer coastline, Long Hai has leveraged its natural advantages to become a significant tourism hub in southern Vietnam. The area's economy is increasingly driven by services and tourism, contributing to a total non-agricultural production value exceeding 13 trillion Vietnamese dong in 2025. The local government reports that Long Hai has successfully eliminated poverty according to Ho Chi Minh City's multi-dimensional poverty standards.

Officially becoming a ward, Long Hai now has a de facto population of over 122,000, significantly exceeding the standard for a ward. The proportion of non-agricultural workers stands at 79%, with industry, construction, and services accounting for over 72% of the local economy. This demographic and economic shift necessitates a more modern urban governance model.

Local authorities believe the upgrade will create a more favorable legal framework for attracting investment in infrastructure and adopting advanced urban management standards. It is also expected to accelerate digital transformation in administrative governance, ultimately improving services for residents and businesses. The move is seen as a natural progression for a locality that already exhibits the characteristics of a concentrated urban center.

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The establishment of a ward is an objective requirement stemming from the local development reality. The population characteristics and the needs for administrative services, security, and social welfare in the area already clearly exhibit the characteristics of a concentrated urban center, requiring an urban governance model to replace the current rural management model.