Awakening "golden land" to serve the people.

Large plots of land in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, fenced off for years due to legal procedures and delays in project implementation, will be "revived." According to a proposal from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment, nine prime land areas will be temporarily used as parks, gardens, and community spaces during the Lunar New Year of 2026.

Avoid waste.

This policy stems from the directive of the Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Tran Luu Quang, and is implemented by the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, Nguyen Van Duoc, with the overarching principle of: genuinely combating the waste of public resources and effectively utilizing urban land while awaiting the completion of legal procedures for projects.

Through a review, the Department of Agriculture and Environment identified 9 vacant plots of land, mostly located in the former District 1 and District 3, now belonging to the wards of Saigon, Tan Dinh, Ben Thanh, Cau Ong Lanh, Ban Co, Xuan Hoa, and Nhieu Loc. These are all "prime" locations with very high commercial value but have been left vacant or only minimally exploited for many years.

In reality, many of these plots of land were once associated with large projects but have been plagued by prolonged legal issues. During this "waiting" period, many places have only been used as parking lots, leased out on a small scale, or left abandoned, resulting in wasted land, reduced aesthetics, and unsightly "empty spaces" in the heart of the city.

Awaken

The former Phan Dinh Phung Stadium site boasts a prime location with four street frontages. Photo: HOANG TRIEU

According to the proposal, the land areas will be renovated with lightweight structures, cost-effective investment, and transformed into parks, flower gardens, walking spaces, and community areas. Activities planned to suit the Tet holiday atmosphere include spring flower displays, mini flower streets, exercise areas, and outdoor cultural and artistic events.

The land use is time-limited and conditional, ensuring that when the project officially commences, the land will be restored to its original state. This approach demonstrates flexible urban management thinking, preventing land from remaining idle simply because a project cannot start immediately.

In the context of increasingly limited land in the city center, leaving prime real estate vacant for years raises serious questions about the efficiency of public asset utilization. According to urban experts, each square meter of land in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City has not only economic value but also immense social value.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has a much lower ratio of green space and public areas per capita compared to international standards. During Tet (Lunar New Year), the demand for entertainment, sightseeing, and recreation increases sharply, but it is often concentrated in a few familiar spots such as Nguyen Hue Flower Street, Tao Dan Park, 23-9 Street, etc., easily leading to overcrowding.

The opening of temporary parks and gardens on prime real estate is expected to disperse crowds, reduce pressure on traffic infrastructure, and create new destinations for people during the Tet holiday.

Improving the quality of life

According to a reporter from the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, the prime piece of land for the Phan Dinh Phung Gymnasium project (No. 8 Vo Van Tan Street, Xuan Hoa Ward), located at the intersection of four major thoroughfares: Pasteur, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, and Vo Van Tan, has been abandoned for 16 years. Currently, it is just an empty plot of land overgrown with weeds, surrounded by an old, dilapidated fence.

This project was approved by the Prime Minister in 2010 under the BT (build-transfer) model. However, after 16 years of implementation and two changes of investors, the project is still not completed.

Meanwhile, the area around the intersection of Le Thanh Ton, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Trung Truc, and Le Loi streets (SJC building) is completely enclosed by corrugated iron fences. The sidewalk on Nguyen Trung Truc street is being used for parking and setting up tables and chairs for selling food. Inside, there is an empty plot of land with a few motorbikes and cars. The gate facing Le Loi street remains closed.

The area at 135 Nguyen Hue (Tax Department Store) is somewhat more bustling. The Pasteur Street frontage features a kiosk selling fast food and drinks, with a few tables and chairs set out on the sidewalk. Public restrooms have also been built here for residents and tourists, in accordance with the city's policy from many years ago.

Similarly, the Le Loi street frontage is also enclosed, interspersed with a few vending machines. Inside the vacant land is a parking lot, bustling with people coming and going. It has been observed that this area has been used as a parking lot for many years. Meanwhile, the Nguyen Hue street frontage is quieter, with advertising posters covering the area, and a few vending machines placed in the corner.

The most peaceful area is the plot of land at 8-12 Le Duan Street. The entire Le Duan street frontage is enclosed by advertising and propaganda posters. The Hai Ba Trung - Nguyen Van Chiem street frontage is similar. At the corner of Hai Ba Trung and Nguyen Van Chiem streets, there is a closed kiosk.

The plot of land at 2-4-6 Hai Ba Trung Street is bustling and undergoing a transformation. Previously overgrown with weeds and trees, it is now a luxurious seafood restaurant. Entrance is via Gate 3 of Me Linh Square, with a spacious parking area. The entire plot is utilized for restaurant space.

Many believe that proactively "opening up" abandoned land demonstrates flexible operation within the legal framework to serve the common good. If properly organized, ensuring safety, security, order, environmental hygiene, and urban aesthetics, temporary parks and gardens on "prime land" will contribute to improving the quality of life for residents, especially during peak periods like the Lunar New Year.

9 prime real estate areas

No. 8 Vo Van Tan (former Phan Dinh Phung Gymnasium project); 33 Nguyen Du; 34-36 and 42 Chu Manh Trinh; 135 Nguyen Hue (former Tax Department Store area); 2-4-6 Hai Ba Trung; 8-12 Le Duan; Le Thanh Ton - Nam Ky Khoi Nghia - Nguyen Trung Truc - Le Loi quadrilateral (SJC housing area); 87 Cong Quynh; 74 Ho Hao Hon - 289 Tran Hung Dao (Cau Ong Lanh ward); 152 Tran Phu (Cho Quan ward).

Mr. NGUYEN MINH TAN (Tan Dinh Ward):

Support green spaces

Temporarily opening up prime real estate areas during Tet (Lunar New Year) is a reasonable approach, demonstrating the government's flexibility in urban management. For many years, city center residents have had only a few familiar options for celebrating the holiday, leading to overcrowding and congestion, especially during peak days. Having more public spaces will encourage people to disperse more freely, making the experience more comfortable and safer.

I appreciate the "temporary use, but not shoddy construction" approach. If the city organizes things neatly and cleanly, without building permanent structures or wasting budget, simply creating pedestrian walkways, planting more trees, and arranging Tet flowers would bring great value to the community. Leaving land unused is a waste. Opening it up for the public to use, even for just a few weeks during Tet, shows that city leaders listen and put the interests of the people first.

Ms. LE THI HONG (Ben Thanh Ward):

The people were very happy!

This initiative perfectly addresses the real needs of urban residents, especially the elderly, who are very pleased. Many plots of land left abandoned for a long time not only cause waste but also affect the landscape and environmental hygiene. Instead of fencing them off, allowing grass to grow and garbage to accumulate, opening them up as temporary parks for people to walk and breathe fresh air would be far more meaningful.

I believe the city doesn't need extravagant or expensive investments; instead, it should prioritize green spaces, well-maintained walkways, benches, and ensuring the safety of the elderly and children. The important thing is convenience and a comfortable feeling when using shared spaces. Tet is a time for family reunions, and everyone wants to go out and enjoy the spring festivities. Having more green spaces in the city center will make Tet more relaxed and pleasant.

Ms. TRAN LAN ANH (Xuan Hoa Ward):

The effectiveness needs to be carefully considered.

This is a positive policy, but it's necessary to clarify the specific usage timeframe for each plot of land, especially those awaiting large-scale projects such as the Tax Department Store, 8-12 Le Duan Street, and the Phan Dinh Phung Gymnasium. For areas located on key transportation routes, I propose prioritizing green spaces and decorative landscaping, and limiting large gatherings to avoid traffic congestion. Simultaneously, it's crucial to clearly assign management responsibilities, ensure security and order, maintain environmental hygiene, invest economically in lightweight structures, and have a plan for returning the land after the Lunar New Year.

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/danh-thuc-dat-vang-phuc-vu-nguoi-dan-1020415.html