Ho Chi Minh City ranks world’s 2nd most magnetic city: survey

With 61 percent of the respondents saying they are ‘unlikely’ or ‘very unlikely’ to leave, the city trails only Taipei, which scored 64 percent, and outperforms other major urban centers such as Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent), and Berlin (51 percent).

This marks the first time Ho Chi Minh City has entered the top tier of the world’s 'stickiest' cities—a term used to describe a city’s ability to retain residents over the long term.

According to Le Truong Hien Hoa, deputy director of the city’s Department of Tourism, the achievement represents a milestone not only for the metropolis itself but also for Vietnam’s tourism and sustainable development goals.

Hoa underscored that beyond infrastructure and economic opportunity, Ho Chi Minh City has evolved into a place that fosters emotional connection and a deep sense of belonging.

The aforementioned survey was built on responses from over 33,000 residents across 65 global cities in 29 countries and territories, evaluated across 152 factors—from urban amenities and transport infrastructure to emotional measures like pride, attachment, and contentment.

Among these, residents of Ho Chi Minh City scored particularly high on five key predictors of emotional connection closely associated with long-term urban retention: not feeling bored living there, feeling at home, being proud of their city, seeing the city as a place to age in, and experiencing a growing sense of belonging over time.

As Hoa explained, with 61 percent of its residents saying they have little or no intention to leave, Ho Chi Minh City demonstrates a deeper layer of urban value—not merely providing services but also fostering a sense of stability and belonging.

Such high levels of resident retention, and implied satisfaction, carry meaningful implications for tourism, Hoa noted.

He emphasized that the city’s tourism department views the survey’s ranking as an opportunity to pivot from short-term visits toward longer-term experiences grounded in everyday living, emotional connection, and authentic community engagement.

“A city that retains residents well is likely to retain longstay tourists, international professionals, and digital nomads seeking deeper immersion in local life,” Hoa observed.

Established in 2005, the Gensler Research Institute is a global network of researchers dedicated to developing a deeper understanding of the connection between design, business, and the human experience.