14/10/2026
On the afternoon of October 14, 2026, the Achieve Realty VN team captured panoramic views of the Thu Thiem core from a high vantage point. Approximately 5.5 months after breaking ground, the site designated for the Central Square and Ho Chi Minh City Administrative Center is now a densely packed construction zone with piling rigs, tower cranes, and barges positioned on the central lake.
This article summarizes the current on-site activities, officially announced milestones, and information regarding Functional Area 2C within the Thu Thiem core. Our goal is to provide a realistic perspective for those currently living in or considering purchasing property in this vicinity.
As of October 14, 2026, the construction site is in the foundation stage. Actual photos reveal numerous piling rigs and tower cranes operating simultaneously, barges clustered on the central lake, and a section of the site leveled, awaiting construction. The project commenced on April 29, 2026, with a targeted completion date in 2027.
Viewed from above, the most prominent feature is the density of machinery. Along the main arterial road, piling rigs cover almost the entire area. Further inland, tower cranes have been erected, and barges are moored close together on the water. A large expanse of land has been cleared and leveled, currently devoid of machinery, likely representing the next phase of construction. Please note that these are visual observations based on actual photographs, not official reports from the developer.
Photo 1: Panoramic view of the HCMC Administrative Center construction site in Thu Thiem, taken on October 14, 2026
Photo 2: Tower cranes and piling rigs at the Thu Thiem Central Square construction site, October 2026
The project spans approximately 46.7 hectares in the core area of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area (An Khanh Ward), with a total investment nearing 29,600 billion VND. It is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), specifically a Build-Transfer (BT) contract, and comprises four component projects: technical infrastructure and underground parking, the administrative center, an opera house, and the central square.
According to announced plans, various components will gradually be completed starting in 2027, with the administrative center expected to be operational in 2028. Some sources indicate a target operational milestone of September 2028. As infrastructure progress is subject to change, please consider this a planned target rather than a guaranteed date.
Yes. The Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem section of Metro Line 2 commenced construction on April 29, 2026, concurrently with the administrative center project. This section is nearly 6 km long, features 6 underground stations, and has an estimated preliminary investment of 33,000 billion VND. According to the master plan, this line will connect the old District 1 center with the Thu Thiem core, subsequently linking to the upcoming Thu Thiem - Long Thanh line.
Functional Area 2C encompasses approximately 31.5 hectares, situated within the core of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area. The original zoning designated this as an urban-level sports and entertainment complex. In 2026, multiple market sources indicated that Area 2C is being adjusted towards a mixed-use model and is preparing for deployment. However, detailed plans have yet to be fully published through official channels.
To be transparent: Various figures regarding Area 2C, such as tower heights, unit counts, and expected prices, are currently circulating online. Most of these originate from brokerage sites, lacking official documentation for verification. Therefore, we have excluded these speculative numbers from this article. Once a zoning decision is finalized or official information is released by competent authorities, Achieve Realty VN will update this article accordingly.
Photo 3: Location of Functional Area 2C in the core of Thu Thiem New Urban Area viewed from above, October 2026
The most immediate impact will be a significant transformation in the area's landscape and connectivity over the next 2–3 years. Handed-over projects around the core, such as Empire City, The Metropole Thu Thiem, and The River, will soon neighbor an emerging administrative center, public square, and metro line. Regarding price fluctuations, precise forecasting remains uncertain.
If you are purchasing for personal use, the practical questions are: During the 2026–2028 period, what will be the noise and dust levels from the surrounding construction, and what will be the view from your chosen unit? If you are buying for rental yield, tenants—particularly expats—often prioritize commute times to District 1 over future urban planning. The metro's significance for them truly materializes only when the trains are operational. For investors, infrastructure represents a long-term fundamental, not a reason to rush capital deployment.
We do not promise specific price appreciations. What we can confirm firsthand is that machinery is actively operating on-site, and the commencement milestones have been met on schedule. Two years from now, today's photos will serve as a baseline for comparison. We will continue to provide regular photographic updates for your reference.
Are you considering an apartment around the Thu Thiem core and want to know what the view of the construction site is like from that specific unit?
Contact the Achieve Realty VN team to arrange an actual site visit.
