The two cities’ annual GDP will grow at an average seven percent rate during this period.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are followed by the Chinese cities of Changchun (3rd) and Guangzhou (4th) in the list, which includes 12 from India, seven others from China and none from developed countries. This clearly indicates that the global balance is tilting toward emerging economies.

PwC’s research results from 151 cities in the world show that the GDP of the 100 largest cities made up 30 percent of the global total in 2008.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh cities are predicted to be among the most prominent ‘climbers’ in the world list of the 100 most developed cities for 2025. Specifically, HCM City will jump from 95th place in 2008 to 64th place in 2025 while Hanoi will climb from 116th position in 2008 to 82nd position in 2025.