Sun Group Develops a ‘Sponge City’ Urban Model in Nam Nha Trang

The project is located within the new administrative center of Nam Nha Trang Ward, with a total investment exceeding VND 17 trillion, and is developed in accordance with the “sponge city” model.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the concept of a “sponge city” is used to describe urban areas with a high capacity to absorb and retain water—much like a sponge—through solutions such as greenery, lakes, parks, and adaptive urban structures that help absorb rainwater and mitigate flooding risks.

In addition, Sun Group envisions transforming Charmora City into an international-standard urban center, offering high-quality living environments, a comprehensive night-time entertainment ecosystem, and a globally diverse residential community.

Master plan perspective of the 227-hectare Charmora City project

Globally, many coastal cities have successfully attracted visitors through multifunctional urban center models that integrate resort living, commerce, entertainment, and residential spaces. For example, Gold Coast has established itself through clusters of apartments, hotels, and shopping centers. Okinawa stands out for its ecological theme parks, extending visitor stays and enhancing experiential value. Meanwhile, Phuket and Penang have advanced night-time economy models and cultural spaces.

In Vietnam, Khanh Hoa, with its scenic bay, well-invested tourism infrastructure, and stable visitor flows, is widely regarded as having comparable development potential to these renowned coastal cities. In the first six months of the year, Khanh Hoa (prior to administrative restructuring), with Nha Trang as its core, welcomed more than 6.2 million visitors, up 20.8% year-on-year, including approximately 2.6 million international arrivals. Nha Trang was also ranked among the Top 15 global summer destinations in 2025 by the Mastercard Economics Institute.

Charmora City is expected to host a wide range of artistic performances and festival series

“This forms the foundation for Charmora City to emerge as a new destination in Khanh Hoa. In addition to the region’s established strength in coastal tourism, the project fills a gap in large-scale urban complexes capable of meeting diverse needs for living, working, leisure, and resort-style living,” a Sun Group representative shared.

The urban area is master-planned into three islands—North, Central, and South—forming a continuous sequence from administrative zones and entertainment–resort districts to premium residential neighborhoods. A key highlight is the Central Island, which features 24-hour entertainment, leisure, and resort amenities, along with hot mineral onsen villas, introducing a new trend of therapeutic living within the heart of the city. From a landscape perspective, the developer aims to leverage the site’s location between two rivers to create a network of green waterways flowing throughout the urban fabric.

The project draws inspiration from iconic waterfront urban centers such as Clarke Quay (Singapore) and OCT Bay (China), featuring water-based art performances as focal points alongside a calendar of cultural and festival events. In parallel, nature-integrated infrastructure—including yacht marinas, riverfront parks, and floodable parks—has been incorporated into the master plan to enhance open-space experiences and ecological adaptability.

Charmora City applies the “sponge city” urban model

Charmora City is expected to open up new development space toward the southern part of Nha Trang, easing pressure on the coastal corridor while adding a portfolio of residential, commercial, and tourism products operating 24/7. According to Sun Group, balancing three core factors—ecological sustainability, multifunctional utility, and local identity—will be key to enhancing the project’s long-term real estate value.

“With the sponge city model and a distinctive amenity ecosystem, Charmora City is not only envisioned as an experience-rich destination, but also as a sustainable green living environment that harmonizes with nature,” a Sun Group representative added.