The Phú Mỹ Hưng township has just been honoured in the Top 10 Most Liveable Urban Areas in Vietnam 2026 at the second Vietnam National Real Estate Awards, held on 2/6/2026 in Hà Nội. This is a particularly meaningful event, because the title is not simply an award but official confirmation from the Vietnam Real Estate Association (VNREA) following an appraisal process lasting more than 9 months, with nearly 200 entries from across the country. More importantly, this is the second time Phú Mỹ Hưng has been named at this prestigious awards programme, following the “Best Urban Area” and “Most Reputable Real Estate Developer” achievements from 2018.
After 33 years of formation and development, the reasons Phú Mỹ Hưng deserves this title lie in a steadfast urban development philosophy: not treating real estate as a short-term transaction, but as a long-term commitment to people, community and the future. Specifically, from a sparsely populated marshland in the south of HCMC, Phú Mỹ Hưng has transformed into a 433 ha model township, officially recognised by the Ministry of Construction, with education, healthcare, commercial and green space amenities of a kind rarely found in Vietnam.
In addition, the real living value at Phú Mỹ Hưng is also reflected in market indicators: the take-up rate for property consistently reaches 80% to 100%, with many high-end apartment projects becoming scarce, such as Happy Valley and Scenic Valley. Not only that, a multi-generational, multi-national resident community has formed steadily over decades, creating a genuinely solid living foundation that few urban areas in Vietnam can match.
Below is the full detailed analysis of the honour, the assessment criteria and the core values that have helped Phú Mỹ Hưng affirm its position after more than three decades of creating sustainable living quality.
At Which Awards Was Phú Mỹ Hưng Honoured in the Top 10 Most Liveable Urban Areas in Vietnam 2026?
Phú Mỹ Hưng was honoured in the Top 10 Most Liveable Urban Areas in Vietnam 2026 at the second Vietnam National Real Estate Awards ceremony, organised by the Vietnam Real Estate Association (VNREA) on the evening of 2/6/2026 in Hà Nội.
To better understand the significance of this award, the event should be viewed in the context of the scale and rigorous assessment process conducted by VNREA. The 2026 awards attracted approximately 200 entries from developers and property projects nationwide, categorised into 12 categories, with a total of 130 awards presented. Most notably, the assessment process lasted more than 9 months, ensuring objectivity and thoroughness for every entry considered. Phú Mỹ Hưng Urban Area was named in the category “Top 10 Most Liveable Urban Areas in Vietnam“, while Hồng Hạc City, Phú Mỹ Hưng’s first project in northern Vietnam, was also honoured in the category “Top 10 Most Promising Commercial Housing Projects in Vietnam”. This double award marks an important milestone in the group’s development journey.
What Criteria Were Used to Assess Projects at the 2026 Vietnam National Real Estate Awards?
The 2026 Vietnam National Real Estate Awards assessed projects based on 4 core groups of criteria: master planning, product quality, operational capability and long-term sustainability.
More specifically, these are the 4 groups of criteria applied by the VNREA assessment panel when evaluating entries over the 9-month period:
- Master planning: Assessing the vision behind the design of urban spaces, the balance between residential areas, public amenities, green spaces and technical infrastructure.
- Product quality: Examining construction standards, materials used, architectural design and the diversity of the product portfolio, from apartments and villas to shophouses.
- Operational capability: Assessing the urban area management system, resident services, operational technical infrastructure (electricity, water, telecommunications, internal transport) and the satisfaction levels of the resident community.
- Sustainability: Examining the developer’s long-term development commitment, environmental impact, ability to preserve asset value over time and contribution to local socio-economic development.
According to the Vietnam Real Estate Association (VNREA), the entire assessment process was conducted by an independent panel of experts, ensuring that the results accurately reflected each project’s capabilities, regardless of its scale or brand reputation.
Was Phú Mỹ Hưng the Only Urban Area Honoured in 2026?
No, Phú Mỹ Hưng was not the only urban area honoured at the 2026 Vietnam National Real Estate Awards. However, the group was the only organisation to win a double award, with 2 projects named in 2 different categories at the same awards ceremony.
Specifically, Phú Mỹ Hưng’s double award comprised:
- Phú Mỹ Hưng Urban Area (Ho Chi Minh City): Honoured as one of the “Top 10 Most Liveable Urban Areas in Vietnam” – a category for established urban areas with stable resident communities.
- Hồng Hạc City (Bắc Ninh): Honoured as one of the “Top 10 Most Promising Commercial Housing Projects in Vietnam” – a category for projects under development with strong growth prospects.
What is particularly notable is that these two projects represent two completely different stages of development: one is a mature urban area after 33 years, while the other is a project currently being created. However, both reflect the same consistent development philosophy that Phú Mỹ Hưng has pursued throughout: placing people and communities at the centre of every planning decision. This is precisely why the VNREA judging panel highly valued the consistency of the group’s development strategy compared with other organisations on the list.
What Makes Phú Mỹ Hưng Deserving of the Title of Most Liveable Urban Area After 33 Years of Development?
There are 5 core factors that make Phú Mỹ Hưng deserving of the title of most liveable urban area: a people-centred development philosophy, the integrated planning of 433 ha, an international-standard amenities system, a sustainable resident community and a commitment to building long-term asset value.
Let us explore Phú Mỹ Hưng’s 33-year journey to understand why this title is not a matter of luck, but the inevitable result of a steadfast urban development vision maintained since the early 1990s. When Phú Mỹ Hưng was first planned, District 7 was a sparsely populated wetland area in the south of Ho Chi Minh City. At that time, Vietnamese people’s concept of a “liveable urban area” was associated with having stable housing, basic infrastructure and safety. Phú Mỹ Hưng looked beyond this, remaining committed from the very first foundations to building a complete urban community to international standards.
What Amenities and Infrastructure Create Quality of Life in Phú Mỹ Hưng?
6 groups of amenities and infrastructure create quality of life in Phú Mỹ Hưng: the 433 ha multifunctional spatial plan, landscaped green spaces, an international education system, high-end healthcare facilities, an international commercial and financial centre, and strategic transport connections.
Below is an overview of the 6 specific groups of amenities that have created and continue to create tangible living value for tens of thousands of Phú Mỹ Hưng residents:
Multi-functional spatial planning: The entire 433 ha urban area is divided into 8 functional zones, including 5 residential zones and 3 amenity zones. This model ensures that all residents’ needs, from housing, work and shopping to entertainment, are met within walking distance or a short commute, creating a closed, self-sufficient urban ecosystem.
Landscaped green spaces: Phú Mỹ Hưng allocates a significant proportion of its area to parks, landscaped lakes and multifunctional spaces. The highlight is the Crescent Lake Area, with its expansive water surface surrounded by greenery, which has become a symbol of green living in the urban area and a central venue for community activities.
International education system: This is one of Phú Mỹ Hưng’s most prominent competitive advantages. The urban area brings together many leading international schools, such as the International School of Phú Mỹ Hưng (ISPH), the Korean International School (KVIS), Renaissance International School and many other high-quality educational institutions, serving both the Vietnamese and international communities.
High-end healthcare facilities: The system of international hospitals and clinics within and around the urban area meets modern healthcare standards, enabling residents to access high-quality medical services without travelling far.
International Commercial and Financial District: This is a large-scale centre for commerce, offices and financial services, serving not only shopping and entertainment needs but also creating a dynamic economic ecosystem at the heart of the urban area.
Strategic transport connections: Its location in District 7, adjacent to Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard and near the Saigon River, enables Phú Mỹ Hưng residents to connect easily with central Ho Chi Minh City, industrial parks and expressways leading to neighbouring provinces.
What Makes Phú Mỹ Hưng Stand Out from the Other Urban Areas in Vietnam’s Top 10 Most Liveable Areas in 2026?
Phú Mỹ Hưng stands out for its history and community depth, while other urban areas in the Top 10 may be stronger in terms of land area or geographical location. However, no other project in Vietnam has yet been able to establish an equally stable, multi-generational, multinational community after more than 3 decades.
To illustrate this clear difference, the table below summarises the key comparison criteria highlighting Phú Mỹ Hưng in comparison with the emerging urban areas in the Top 10:
| Comparison criterion | Phú Mỹ Hưng | New urban areas in the Top 10 |
| Period of development | More than 33 years (since the early 1990s) | Mostly under 15 years |
| State recognition | Model urban area (Ministry of Construction) | No equivalent recognition |
| Resident community | Multigenerational, multinational and stable for the long term | Still in the development phase |
| Property sales rate | 80%–100%, with many projects in short supply | Fluctuates according to market conditions |
| National awards history | 2018 and 2026 (for the second time) | First recognition |
The table above shows the fundamental difference: Phú Mỹ Hưng is not merely building a beautiful urban area, but also creating a genuine community. A property sales rate of 80% to 100% consistently over many years, together with shortages at projects such as Happy Valley Premier and Scenic Valley, reflects genuine demand from owner-occupiers rather than short-term speculation. Moreover, the fact that many Vietnamese families and foreign communities choose Phú Mỹ Hưng as their long-term home, even across several generations, is the clearest evidence of the “sustainable quality of life” that no award can replace.
According to a representative of Phu My Hung Development Corporation, the Top 10 award is “recognition of a development philosophy that the company has steadfastly pursued for more than 33 years: not viewing property as a short-term transaction, but viewing urban development as a long-term commitment to people, the community and the future.”
How Is the Meaning of “Liveable” in 2026 Different from Urban Standards 30 Years Ago?
The standard of being “liveable” in 2026 has shifted completely from 30 years ago: from the basic needs of “having enough food, warm clothing and a place to live” to 4 new dimensions of value, comprising holistic health, community happiness, social connections and the ability to build sustainable wealth.
More specifically, more than 30 years ago, when Phú Mỹ Hưng first began to be planned, Vietnam was undergoing a period of economic reform, and people prioritised owning stable and safe homes. The concept of a “good urban area” was mainly associated with electricity, roads, schools, medical facilities and basic infrastructure. By contrast, the 2026 standard of being “liveable” demands a complete living ecosystem, where residents do not merely survive but also thrive physically, mentally and financially.
How Does Phú Mỹ Hưng 2.0 Redefine the Standard of a Liveable Urban Area?
Phú Mỹ Hưng 2.0 is a new development phase for the urban area, in which the concept of being “liveable” is expanded into “a place people want to visit and return to”, with the aim of creating an extended multigenerational family living together in a close-knit urban community. During this phase, the developer is focusing on upgrading multifunctional spaces, strengthening community connections and developing premium living services to meet the needs of multiple generations of residents simultaneously.
How Does Living in a National Award-Winning Urban Area Affect Residents’ Property Values?
Living in a national award-winning urban area has a direct positive impact on property values: a prestigious award acts as a guarantee of liquidity, helping properties in the area maintain and increase their value more steadily than the overall market. At Phú Mỹ Hưng, this is demonstrated by the consistently high property absorption rate, recurring shortages in premium subdivisions and the brand’s long-term appeal to both owner-occupiers and professional investors.
