To ease congestion, authorities plan to boost passenger and cargo transport by waterways. Two main corridors have been identified: the North–Southeast and East–West routes, which will connect the city with key economic regions.

From these corridors, four major axes will be developed to link the city centre: the northwest (Saigon River–Thi Tinh River), northeast (Dong Nai River–Saigon River–Rach Chiec), southwest (Soai Rap River–Te Canal–Doi Canal), and southeast (Nha Be River–Long Tau–Dong Tranh–Thi Vai–Ganh Rai Bay).

These routes are expected to support cargo transport from industrial zones and agricultural areas to ports, while also serving passenger and tourism needs, reducing reliance on road transport.

In the downtown area, Ho Chi Minh City will prioritise investment in the Nha Rong–Khanh Hoi international passenger port and the Bach Dang Wharf terminal. The city also plans to encourage more public wharves while dredging and upgrading key waterways such as Rach Chiec, Trau Trau and Ong Nhieu.

In the north, the city aims to complete at least one cargo port, one passenger port and one inland depot, while encouraging the development of passenger ports in the former Binh Duong area. In the south, priorities include the Vung Tau International Passenger Port and new container terminals in Can Gio–Cai Mep–Thi Vai.

The city’s master plan divides waterway development into two phases: 2026–2030 and post-2030. The Ministry of Construction will oversee dredging and upgrading of three maritime channels with total investment of about VND 7 trillion (approximately USD 276 million), and improvements to four national inland waterways costing VND 7.1 trillion (approximately USD 280 million).

At the local level, 20 waterway routes will be upgraded at a cost of VND 45.4 trillion (approximately USD 1.79 billion). Ho Chi Minh City also plans to build seven seaports, including three international passenger ports and four cargo ports, with investment estimated at VND 436.6 trillion (approximately USD 17.2 billion), largely through private and public–private partnerships.

In addition, the city will develop 18 inland waterway ports, 14 for passengers and four for cargo, with funding of VND 9.3 trillion (approximately USD 366 million), and is calling for investment in at least one inland depot in the former Binh Duong area.