The plan includes provinces in the Southern Key Economic Zone – Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Tien Giang.

The Ministry predicts that the population of the Ho Chi Minh City greater metropolitan area would reach between 20 to 22 million by 2020 and increase to 25 to 27 million by 2050.

The plan would renovate main highways such as 1, 1K, 13, 22 and construct 14 bridges across the Saigon River.

The plan divides the new region to three keynote sub-regions: Urban sub-region

- Urban center: stretches from Ho Chi Minh City’s old inner-city zone to “independent satellite urban centers” (Bien Hoa Town, Thu Dau Mot Town), “dependent satellite urban centers” (Nhon Trach, Tam Phuoc), “new urban centers” (Hiep Phuoc, Cu Chi, Duc Hoa, Long Thanh, Trang Bom, An Lac, Nha Be, Can Gio, Di An-Thuan An) and “adjacent urban centers” (Dau Giay, Vinh Cuu, Tan Uyen, My Phuoc, Hau Nghia, Ben Luc, Can Giuoc).

- The southeastern center: stretches from Ba Ria-Vung Tau to the urban economic axis along Highway 51.

- The northern center: stretches from Binh Phuoc Province to the urban economic axis along Highway 13.

- The northwest center: stretches from Tay Ninh Province to the urban economic axis along Highway 22

- The southwestern center: stretches from Long An, Tien Giang provinces to the urban economic axis along Highway 1A (towards Can Tho and the Mekong Delta)

Industrial sub-region

- Main industrial center: focuses on developing high-technology, information technology and biotechnology.

- Northern industrial center (Binh Duong Province): focuses on agricultural product processing industry, electronics industry and building industry.

- Southeast industrial center (Ba Ria-Vung Tau): focuses on hard industries, oil refinery industry and seaport industry services.

- Southwest industrial center (Long An and Tien Giang): focuses on the seafood processing industry, retailing products industry. ¦ Northeast industrial center (Tay Ninh and Long An): focuses on the construction industry and mechanics.

Tourism sub-region

- The international tourism center: stretches from the current HCMC to urban centers within a 30-km radius.

- The provincial tourism center: includes Dong Thap Muoi, Binh Chau, Thac Mo, Hoa Lu, Moc Bai and Xa Mat.