Ho Chi Minh City expands power infrastructure to sustain high-tech FDI appeal
Developing power infrastructure, diversifying supply sources, and expanding access to green energy have become critical requirements for Ho Chi Minh City to maintain its competitive edge in attracting high-tech foreign direct investment (FDI).
As global capital increasingly shifts toward the digital economy, Ho Chi Minh City could explore tokenization to mobilize funding for its infrastructure development. At the 2026 Autumn Economic Forum, experts highlighted the difference between "tokens" representing digital and AI ecosystems that attract substantial investment, and "concrete" referring to physical infrastructure like roads, seaports, and factories.
The city's 2026-2030 development plan estimates a need for VND4.4 quadrillion in investment, with around VND1.1 quadrillion already allocated. The remainder must come from social resources, necessitating new financing channels. Tokenization of real-world assets, such as bonds, revenue streams, or property, could facilitate smaller, more convenient trades with greater transparency and broader investor access.
Practical applications could include issuing municipal bonds in different formats for metro development, dividing operating and commercial rights of completed facilities into smaller investment units, and transforming corporate export invoices and carbon credits into digital assets. For tokenization to succeed, assets with stable cash flows and clear legal ownership are crucial.
Ho Chi Minh City has an advantage with its Digital Data Development Strategy for 2026-2030, which includes a data exchange platform, standardized land parcel data, and a reliable electronic identification system. The city also boasts over 15 data centers and is developing an international financial center with a focus on blockchain.
To begin, the city should standardize and disclose data on infrastructure projects, ensuring tokens accurately represent legal rights. As the city builds its tokenized infrastructure, it could even transform urban data into a regulated tradable asset, supporting AI applications built on its data infrastructure. By taking cautious, transparent steps, Ho Chi Minh City could turn its infrastructure assets into investment opportunities that attract capital from the token economy.
Written by urgent.news from SGGP English Edition Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
