Nguyen Thanh Phong, 53, currently serves as deputy chief of Ho Chi Minh City's Party unit, has been voted to become the new city chairman.
Phong will replace Le Hoang Quan, 62, to head the People’s Committee in the 2016-2020 term.
He said his priorities after taking office would be tackling flooding, traffic congestion, food hygiene, urban planning and bureaucracy.
Phong promised to try his best to turn HCMC into a major economic, financial and cultural hub of the country and Southeast Asia.
Quan, Phong’s predecessor, became the city mayor in 2006. He won a second five-year term in 2011.
Quan sought to resign from his post and the HCMC People’s Council accepted his request.