{
  "id": 8859866,
  "title": "Ho Chi Minh City jumps 81 places in global cities ranking",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/ho-chi-minh-city-jumps-81-places-in-global-cities-ranking",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-21T06:05:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "VnExpress International",
    "slug": "vnexpress-international",
    "url": "https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/ho-chi-minh-city-jumps-81-places-in-global-cities-ranking-5122779.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The city of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has seen a significant drop in its global ranking, falling 81 places in the 2026 Global Cities Index. Compiled by Oxford Economics, the index assesses strengths, weaknesses, and future potential of the world's 1,000 largest cities across five categories: economics, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance.\n\nHCMC scored 62.6 points in the 2026 index, a drop from previous years. The city performed well in the economics category, ranking within the top 150 cities globally. However, it experienced declines in the environment and quality of life categories, falling 100 and 17 places, respectively.\n\nComparatively, HCMC outperformed other Southeast Asian cities in the ranking, trailing only Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Manila. Oxford Economics points out the city's strength lies in its economic prowess, driven by its status as Vietnam's export engine and home to the largest port in the country. This economic strength is expected to propel HCMC among the world's fastest-growing cities over the next five years.\n\nThe city is also attracting considerable foreign direct investment, fueling growth in manufacturing and business services. Recently, HCMC passed the Urban Development Law, which will enhance its ability to mobilize resources and promote development, effective October 1. With over 14 million inhabitants and a $128 billion economy, HCMC aims to rise to the world's top 100 cities by 2030, focusing on improvements in quality of life and environmental management.",
  "summary": "Vietnam's largest city climbed 81 places to 205th in Oxford Economics' 2026 global cities ranking, driven by gains in governance, human capital and economics.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}