Ho Chi Minh City’s downtown has emerged as one of the world’s most vibrant and engaging urban centres, according to new global research by global architecture and design firm Gensler.
Gensler’s City Pulse 2026 report surveyed more than 35,000 residents across 75 cities worldwide, examining how people experience and engage with downtown districts. The findings point to a growing global shift in how residents evaluate cities, placing increasing emphasis on vibrancy, walkability, culture, public life, and everyday urban experience alongside economic activity.
Among Ho Chi Minh City respondents surveyed:
- 84% said the overall experience of living in the city has improved
- 90% said the downtown and business district offers a great experience
Ho Chi Minh City ranked fourth globally, behind Cairo, Stockholm, and Sydney, and first in Asia on Gensler’s Stickiness Score™, a combined metric measuring both frequency of visits and typical length of stay in the city centre, highlighting the city’s strong levels of downtown engagement and public activity.
The findings build on Gensler’s City Pulse 2025 research, which previously ranked Ho Chi Minh City among the world’s most “magnetic” cities based on residents’ likelihood to remain in the city long-term.
Unlike many global CBDs that struggle to attract sustained engagement beyond office hours, the research suggests Ho Chi Minh City residents already demonstrate a strong habit of spending time downtown, reflecting the city’s street life and growing mix of cultural and lifestyle experiences.
“Ho Chi Minh City has an urban energy that people naturally gravitate towards,” said Tri Quang Mai, Country Representative, Vietnam at Gensler. “The downtown experience here already feels dynamic and highly active throughout the day. That kind of vibrancy is increasingly becoming one of the defining characteristics of globally competitive cities.”
The research suggests residents increasingly see downtown not simply as a business district, but as a place for culture, leisure, community, and everyday urban life.
Residents expressed growing interest in a more vibrant and people-oriented downtown experience, with 42% saying they would like to see more community events such as festivals, markets, and public activities, while others highlighted stronger pedestrian environments and more nightlife and entertainment offerings as key factors that would encourage them to spend more time in the city centre.
Residents also shared a strong vision for what they want Ho Chi Minh City’s downtown to become over the next decade. The most frequently selected aspirations included:
- A hub for innovation, startups, and co-working
- A walkable green zone with limited car access
- A stronger cultural and entertainment destination
According to Gensler, Ho Chi Minh City’s strong performance reflects the growing importance of human energy, street life, and cultural vibrancy in shaping globally competitive cities.
Globally, the City Pulse 2026 report found that the strongest predictors of a vibrant downtown are after-hours activation, attractive public spaces, cultural activities and events, good lighting, and a strong sense of safety, qualities increasingly associated with memorable and engaging urban experiences.
The findings suggest Ho Chi Minh City is entering its next phase of urban evolution, where residents increasingly expect downtowns to support quality of life, public life, cultural identity, and social connection alongside economic growth.
“What makes Ho Chi Minh City stand out is the intensity of its urban experience,” said Quang Tri. “People are constantly engaging with the city, through its streets, markets, culture, and public life. As Ho Chi Minh City continues to evolve, the opportunity lies in strengthening the qualities that already make the city unique.”
| About Gensler At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to create impactful, cutting-edge solutions for our clients. Together, we are reimagining the cities, places, and experiences that impact people’s everyday lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year on projects that act as catalysts for growth. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design. www.gensler.com About the Gensler Research Institute The Gensler Research Institute is a collaborative network of researchers focused on a common goal: to generate new knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the connection between design, business, and the human experience. Through a combination of global and local research grants and external partnerships, we seek insights focused on solving the world’s most pressing challenges. We are committed to unlocking new solutions and strategies that will define the future of design. |
