The Times Australia
The Times Real Estate

.

Vietnam's "Gold Coast" Emerges as Extraordinary Investment Frontier and Australian Inspired Way of Life

  • Written by The Times


$2 Billion super-city in Vung Tau set to replicate Australia's Gold Coast success story


A culturally metamorphic development aptly named "Gold Coast" is set to reshape Vietnam's southern coast below Ho Chi Minh City, becoming a major investment opportunity with returns that could mirror the remarkable growth trajectory of Queensland's iconic City of Gold Coast.

The $2 billion master-planned community in Vung Tau will eventually house over 200,000 residents and is set to become one of Southeast Asia's most significant lifestyle developments - deliberately modelled after Australia's own Gold Coast.

Ms Xuan Pham, Chief Commercial Officer for Gold Coast, Vung Tau, says the Australian connection is more than just nominal.

"We've studied the evolution of Australia's Gold Coast over its 70-year transformation from quiet coastal town to renowned global city," said Ms Xuan Pham. "Our vision is to create a similar pathway for Vietnamese families and international investors, offering a beachside lifestyle with city access that has made Australia's Gold Coast so successful whilst of course adapting it to Vietnamese culture and way of life."

The Gold Coast Vung Tau development comes as Vietnam experiences an unprecedented expansion of its middle class, who are increasingly seeking first-world living standards, amenities, and lifestyle-focused communities. It’s construction significantly coincides with the merging of three Vietnam provinces:

• Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam’s financial city with 13 millions residents
• Ba Ria – Vung Tau: An International logistic and terminal port city with 1.7 millions residents
• Binh Duong: An industrial park city with 3.3 millions residents

Once merged, Gold Coast Vung Tau will be central to a mega city of 18 million residents, responsible for 40% of Vietnam’s GDP – emerging as the economic hub of Southeast Asia.

The development hopes to appeal to international investors with the potential for exponential returns comparable to those achieved by early investors in Australia's Gold Coast during the 1970s. In 1975, the median house price in Surfers Paradise was approximately $17,500. By 2023, similar properties commanded prices exceeding $1.7 millionrepresenting a staggering 9,600% increase over the 48-year period.

"What took Australia's Gold Coast seven decades to achieve, we believe can be accelerated here given Vietnam's robust economic growth rate and the lessons we've learned from studying successful coastal developments worldwide, particularly Queensland’s Gold Coast," added Ms Xuan Pham.

The project's locationsouth of Ho Chi Minh City with proximity to pristine beaches and more than 300 hectares of waterwaysmirrors the geographical relationship between Brisbane and Australia's Gold Coast, a parallel that developers hope will attract Australian investment and expertise. As part of the project, a motorway is being constructed which is set to reduce the commute between Gold Coast, Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh to 45 minutes. A new International Airport is also set to open in Long Thanh Commune, Dong Nai Province by January 2026, making the location even more relevant for international travellers.

"For investors who understand the value of coastal development but find themselves priced out of mature markets at home, Vung Tau represents an opportunity to invest during the early stages of what could become Southeast Asia's premier coastal destination," said Ms Xuan Pham.

Construction has begun on the initial phases of the development, with Australian design firms and consultants playing pivotal roles in master planning. The city is predicted to take 8 years to build, and will include a mix of residences, schools, universities, commercial centres, theme parks, greenspace and parkland.

Property Times

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-buying process is crucial for success. Whether you're a first-time buye...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value for your property. Let’s go through the most important steps to take b...

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...