To ease congestion in the southern gateway and align urban planning along the Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Construction has proposed a key infrastructure project worth nearly USD 120 million.
Following directives from the city’s chairman, the Department of Construction has coordinated with related units to review and propose infrastructure investment solutions for the west bank of the Saigon River, stretching from the upstream area of Ba Son Bridge to Thu Thiem 4 Bridge.
The project focuses on widening Nguyen Tat Thanh Street and rebuilding the aging Tan Thuan 1 Bridge, which has stood for 120 years.
Nguyen Tat Thanh Street runs along the west bank of the Saigon River, connecting Khanh Hoi and Tan Thuan bridges. Photo: TK
Nguyen Tat Thanh Street runs about 2.5 kilometers along the west bank of the Saigon River, from Khanh Hoi Bridge to Tan Thuan Bridge. It has long served as a major transportation artery linking the city center to southern districts. However, its current width of only 8 to 14 meters is insufficient compared to the planned 30 to 40 meters, leading to chronic congestion.
To address this issue, the Department of Construction has proposed an investment of approximately VND 2,950 billion (around USD 120 million) to expand the road to 6–8 lanes.
A complementary technical solution includes constructing the Hoang Dieu underpass with at least four lanes to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance traffic flow through this critical gateway.
The reconstruction of Tan Thuan 1 Bridge has been deemed urgent. Built in 1905, the bridge has significantly deteriorated and no longer meets the demands of modern transportation.
The new bridge will ensure cohesive infrastructure, strengthen regional connectivity, and support broader urban development strategies.
According to Ho Chi Minh City’s master plan to 2040, the Saigon River’s west bank is designated as a central urban landscape axis. Nguyen Tat Thanh Street will not only serve transportation needs but also function as a riverside scenic route, sharing traffic with other north-south corridors while providing open spaces that offer public access to the riverbank.
Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi Port area is planned to become a cultural and tourism hub after redevelopment. Photo: TK
Simultaneously, after the relocation of Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi Port, the area will be repurposed into an international passenger port and multifunctional public park, creating a Ho Chi Minh cultural space rich in historical, cultural, and tourism significance.
To ensure cohesive development, the Department of Construction has proposed assigning the Department of Planning and Architecture to organize an architectural design competition for the entire west bank area of the Saigon River.
Regarding implementation, the Department has requested that the Department of Finance allocate funds for investment preparation and has suggested the Project Management Board for Traffic Infrastructure Investment immediately begin preparations in October 2025.
This synchronized investment in bridge, road, and port infrastructure will play a vital role in restructuring the city’s riverfront space, transforming it into a modern traffic-commercial-landscape corridor. It will also reduce the burden on inner-city roads and drive socio-economic development in the coming years.
Vietnamnet.vn
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