HCM City, July 5 -- Ho Chi Minh City convened its first half-year review meeting on July 4 following its recent administrative merger, connected online to 168 communes, wards, and special zones. The meeting assessed the city's socio-economic performance over the first six months of 2025 and outlined key tasks for the remainder of the year. According to Nguyen Cong Vinh, Director of the municipal Department of Finance, the former HCM City recorded a GRDP growth of 7.82% in the first half compared to the same period last year. For the newly merged HCM City, comprising the former city and the provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, the estimated GRDP growth stood at 6.56% (including crude oil) and 7.49% (excluding crude oil). Reports fr...