Will the most mysterious project in Ho Chi Minh City, Thuan Kieu Plaza, really "change its fate"?

Thuan Kieu Plaza, located on Hong Bang Street, Ward 12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, started construction in 1994 and was officially completed in 1998, with a total construction area of ​​100,000m2. The project is designed to include 3 towers, each tower has 33 floors, which is compared by people to a boat with 3 chimneys or is often passed down as the "3 incense sticks" building area. This project is associated with many stories and is considered one of the most mysterious projects in Ho Chi Minh City.

The project is built by Saigon 5 Commercial Construction Company (under Saigon Real Estate Corporation) in cooperation with Kings Harmony Company - Hong Kong.

The entire building has been painted banana green like "three bamboo trees", with 3 floors serving commercial activities with a total floor area of ​​24,000 m2.

Located right on the "golden land" on the main road connecting the center of Ho Chi Minh City and Cho Lon area in District 5, this project was expected to become one of the city's outstanding development symbols, promoting the regional economy .

Looking back at the time when Thuan Kieu Plaza first came into operation, the business premises here were always a topic that received the attention of many people. The rental price here was at the top of the group of rental premises in the city at that time.

However, not long after that, this project could not develop as expected for many reasons.

A series of apartments quickly fell into a state of no tenants. The commercial center was sluggish, the infrastructure was degraded and had been operating at a standstill for many years. Not only that, there were also many mysterious rumors about spirituality, making the project even more deserted and deserted.

After a period of "stagnant" status, in 2017, Thuan Kieu Plaza was acquired by Van Thinh Phat Group and "transformed" with a new look called The Garden Mall.

Currently, according to Dan Tri's records, below the commercial center, most of the businesses, shops... have long since closed, only a few units such as Co.op Food and restaurants are still operating.

By July 2021, in response to the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, the investor coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to renovate the entire commercial area (1st and 2nd floors) of the building to requisition it as field hospital No. 5, with a scale of 1,000 beds to receive and treat positive patients (Photo taken in July 2021).

It seemed that after the end of its time as a field hospital, the previous "ghostly" rumors would be erased, and The Garden Mall would have hope of "reviving" again.

However, according to Dan Tri reporters on the afternoon of March 4, the entire 3 buildings were still covered in a cold atmosphere, with few people. The entrances to the upper floors were always in a state of "closed doors and bolts" for a long time.

Most of the food stalls and stores have returned their premises and closed due to lack of customers, only 2 stores, Manwah and Coop Food, are still operating.

There are security guards on duty around the building. At some entrances, the investor also put up ropes to limit strangers from entering and exiting.

Through the door, one can see many items such as buckets, basins, tarpaulins, foam boxes, etc. lying haphazardly on the floor of the shopping mall. The main lobby's decorative accessories, lighting equipment, and elevators have also been removed and stopped working.

The back of the building has also become an improvised parking lot for residents in the nearby area.

Almost no one steps into the building area, only the small park on the side has long been used by residents as a place to play, stroll, skateboard... in the afternoon.

Thuan Kieu Plaza used to be one of the top choices for entertainment venues for young people in Ho Chi Minh City in the 2000s because of the many types of services offered here. However, it has now become desolate, gloomy and cold, making people shake their heads in regret.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/bat-dong-san/du-an-bi-an-bac-nhat-tphcm-thuan-kieu-plaza-co-thuc-su-doi-van-20230306165943769.htm