Expanding the square along the Saigon River

In the master plan adjustment project of Ho Chi Minh City approved by the Prime Minister, the system of urban highlights and squares is an important part to increase place recognition, shape urban space and form the characteristics of each area.

Squares and highlights are located at intersections, at the end of main urban axes or open spaces facing rivers, gateway areas, traffic hubs, and urban centers. In particular, Ho Chi Minh City will prioritize investment in highlight projects on both sides of the Saigon River such as bridges, public works, squares, located at main viewpoints and river diversion locations, to create a Saigon River corridor with a strong identity.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SQUARE IN FRONT OF BEN T HANH MARKET

Up to now, the two square projects that have received the most attention from people and businesses are the square in front of Ben Thanh market (Ben Thanh ward) and the central square of the new urban area of ​​Thu Thiem (An Khanh ward).

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phat, Vice Chairman of Ben Thanh Ward People's Committee, said that since the two-level local government had not yet been organized, District 1 People's Committee assigned the District 1 Construction Investment Project Management Board to be the investor of the landscape renovation project in front of Ben Thanh Market. This project has a total renovation area of ​​nearly 59,000 ^m2 , connecting the area in front of Ben Thanh Market, 23/9 Park, Le Loi Street connecting to Nguyen Hue walking street. The project has a total investment capital of 145 billion VND, implemented in 2025 - 2026.

Ho Chi Minh City plans a central square in Thu Thiem urban area (An Khanh Ward) connecting with Saigon Ward by a pedestrian bridge across the Saigon River.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

Mr. Phat said that in addition to renovating the sidewalks of some streets around Ben Thanh market, there are also some highlight works such as the Tran Nguyen Han monument cluster, the Quach Thi Trang bust and the Southern Resistance Monument located in 23/9 park. The works combine to form a landscape complex, attracting tourists and developing the economy in this area. Mr. Phat added that the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee once suggested researching the area in front of Ben Thanh market to make it like Times Square (New York City, USA), always bustling day and night, creating a local identity, being an attractive tourist destination, attracting businesses to invest.

Currently, the District 1 Construction Investment Project Management Board is implementing a renovation project, which when completed will be a highlight of the ward. "The ward will direct specialized departments to research the night economy program, activities to attract tourists , create connections between Ben Thanh market and Bui Vien walking street, Le Loi route to Nguyen Hue walking street to form an economic and tourism development cluster," Mr. Phat added.

THE LARGEST SQUARE IN THE COUNTRY IN HU T HIEM

Opposite Nguyen Hue walking street on the other side of the Saigon River, the 21-hectare Thu Thiem Square project has received much attention from businesses, most recently the Truong Hai Group. According to the previously studied plan, the project has a total investment of nearly 1,800 billion VND. When completed, it will be the largest square in the country, connecting with the riverside park to create a public space of nearly 30 hectares along the Saigon River. This square will connect the center of Ho Chi Minh City through a pedestrian bridge across the Saigon River, serving the organization of festivals, cultural and political events and community activities.

The area in front of Ben Thanh market (Ben Thanh ward, Ho Chi Minh city) will be renovated into a square, connecting Le Loi street to Nguyen Hue street.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

During a working session with Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc in March 2025, the leader of the old Thu Duc City People's Committee proposed to pilot the application of BT (build - transfer) contracts with cash payments for the project to build the central square of the new Thu Thiem urban area to speed up progress. This type of contract has the advantage of a transparent financial plan, convenient for open bidding, clear authority, order, and procedures for project preparation, appraisal, approval, and management.

In response to the above proposal, the Ho Chi Minh City leaders assigned the Department of Finance to work with the locality to provide guidance in order to quickly complete the infrastructure for the Thu Thiem peninsula. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance believes that projects in the new urban area of ​​Thu Thiem need to consider the efficiency of land use, especially the exploitation of underground space, parking, commercial and service functions... The central square of Thu Thiem has great value in terms of function, landscape and economy, so it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive study of both underground and above-ground areas to attract investment.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mo-rong-quang-truong-ben-song-sai-gon-185250928005159066.htm