Proposal to build park and memorial for COVID-19 victims in Ho Chi Minh City

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction has submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee a plan for implementing public works projects at land plot No. 1, Ly Thai To Street, Vuon Lai Ward (formerly District 10).

The plan includes building green parks, expanding roads, and arranging monuments to commemorate COVID-19 victims...

The land plot at 1 Ly Thai To Street will be developed into a green park, the road will be widened, and a monument commemorating the victims of COVID-19 will be erected.

The land plot at 1 Ly Thai To Street (formerly the Government Guest House) covers 4.3 hectares and is designated for mixed-use development. This includes 2.1 hectares of mixed-use land and 2.18 hectares of urban-level public green space. Additionally, there is land designated for a station for Metro Line 1 (extending from Ben Thanh to the An Ha depot) and the future Metro Line 3 (expected to have 3 stations adjacent to the land plot).

This plot of land is bordered by three major roads: Ly Thai To, Hung Vuong, and Tran Binh Trong. The Department of Construction has proposed studying a local adjustment to the area's planning to meet the objectives of creating a green park, public playground space, a memorial for COVID-19 victims, and incorporating the use of underground space.

Based on the current plan, an architectural design competition will be held for a monument commemorating COVID-19 victims, and its construction will be funded through a public-private partnership.

Regarding the park, based on the locally adjusted 1/2,000 scale planning, the Department's proposed plan is to invest in a green park and playground space for the public at No. 1 Ly Thai To Street through a socialized investment model.

Regarding the Tran Binh Trong road expansion project, the Department stated that the project has a preliminary total investment of approximately 1,073 billion VND.

Regarding the Vườn Lài ward office, the People's Committee of Vườn Lài ward proposed relocating the office after the merger of the two levels of government in this area. However, the relevant departments and units have agreed to allocate another public land location within the ward, tentatively at 376 Điện Biên Phủ Street, Vườn Lài ward.

The People's Committee of Vuon Lai Ward is taking the lead and coordinating with relevant departments and agencies to propose procedures for constructing an office building at 376 Dien Bien Phu Street.

Plot No. 1 Ly Thai To Street - a rare green space in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, bordered by three main roads: Ly Thai To, Hung Vuong, and Tran Binh Trong.

The Department of Construction has proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee approve the plan to use the land plot at No. 1 Ly Thai To Street to develop a public park, erect a memorial monument for COVID-19 victims, and utilize the underground space.

The Department also recommended that the Department of Planning and Architecture inventory, assess, and classify the villas in the area to serve as a basis for preservation (if any).

Ho Chi Minh City will call for social mobilization to build a memorial monument for COVID-19 victims and construct a public park on the land plot at No. 1 Ly Thai To Street.

Following the announcement by Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang regarding the City Party Committee's decision to use the land plot at No. 1 Ly Thai To Street as a green park and memorial for COVID-19 victims, on October 24th, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Office announced the conclusions of the Chairman of the People's Committee, Nguyen Van Duoc, in a meeting concerning the public works project on the aforementioned land plot.

According to the announcement, in addition to building parks and green spaces, this area will incorporate many other important facilities serving the people and the local government.

The announcement also stated that the current ratio of parks and green spaces in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City is very low compared to planning standards; the space, playgrounds, and public amenities for residents in the central area are also limited.

Prioritizing land allocation for green spaces and the creation of public parks at plot number 1 Ly Thai To is essential, contributing to environmental improvement, enhancing the quality of life for residents, and aiming towards sustainable urban development.

Within the existing plot of land are several old villas with a floor area of approximately 7,000 square meters.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has instructed the Department of Planning and Architecture to coordinate with the People's Committee of Vuon Lai Ward to urgently research and propose a planning scheme for the land area, focusing on the construction of a green park, public space, and playground to serve the community.

At the same time, research is being conducted on the placement of memorial areas for those who died from COVID-19.

Previously, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment also planned to invest in two land plots: one at 1 Ly Thai To Street and a project to renovate and expand the Ho Chi Minh Museum in the Ben Nha Rong area.

This department proposes considering the implementation of the project on this land plot using one of two methods: public investment or a public-private partnership (BT contract without requiring payment).

If public investment is chosen, the project is expected to commence in July 2026, going through steps from preparing, appraising, and approving pre-feasibility and feasibility reports, detailed planning, capital allocation, to land allocation and construction implementation.

For the public-private partnership model, the timeline is shortened by one step, with construction expected to begin in February 2026.

Quang Huy

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/trinh-phuong-an-xay-cong-vien-va-dai-tuong-niem-nan-nhan-covid-19-tai-tp-hcm-ar971994.html