Gold Coast Vung Tau: First look at Vietnamese city development inspired by Queensland city
Construction has begun on a new $2bn city in southern Vietnam which bears the name of its inspiration – the Gold Coast. SEE THE IMAGES
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Construction has begun on a new $2bn city in southern Vietnam which bears the name of its inspiration – the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast Vung Tau development is taking shape south of the Vietnamese capital of Ho Chi Minh City and will eventually be home to more than 200,000 people.
Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the move, saying “imitation was the best form of flattery”.
Mr Tate said the project was a direct result of mayoral missions to the country in the past decade.
“I’m flattered and the whole city is flattered,” he said.
“It’s got walking areas and canals and the beautiful architecture and greenery and they are intending to make it the Gold Coast’s version.
“I look forward to them completing it so I can go and have a look, maybe it will be a new home away from home.”
Construction of the city began earlier this year, with the first section to open in 2027.
Vung Tau chief commercial officer Xuan Pham said the designers had carefully studied the city and how it had evolved.
“The Gold Coast is a living example of how a city can maintain its connection to natural surroundings as the population grows exponentially,” she said.
“It’s a uniquely Australian approach that resonates with the aspirations we hold for Vietnam.
“What makes the Gold Coast truly remarkable is its transition from tourism dependency to a multifaceted economy — something many coastal destinations worldwide have struggled to achieve.
“The Gold Coast has given us valuable insights for Vietnam’s emerging middle class, who are seeking a way of life that’s not achievable in our high-density cities.”
The project was designed by Gold Coast-based architecture firm Contreras Earl Architecture, with its director Rafael Contreras saying the city’s design and sensibilities were able to be incorporated into a different country.
“We’re exploring how to merge Australian coastal sensibilities with Vietnamese cultural identity in a way that’s deeply authentic,” he said.
“This collaboration isn’t about imposing a design language — it’s about creating a unique synthesis that respects and elevates both traditions. At its core, it’s about lifestyle: how people live, connect and thrive within the built environment.”
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Originally published as Gold Coast Vung Tau: First look at Vietnamese city development inspired by Queensland city
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