Following the directive of the city’s Party Secretary, Ho Chi Minh City is inviting public feedback on a symbolic monument to honor collective solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic, to be located at 01 Ly Thai To Street, Vuon Lai Ward.

On October 31, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports sent an official document requesting media outlets to enhance coverage and encourage citizens to contribute ideas via online platforms for the design and development of the commemorative symbol.

The project will be constructed on the site at 01 Ly Thai To Street, Vuon Lai Ward (formerly District 10), where the city aims to build a monument that serves both as a historic landmark and a meaningful public space symbolizing human resilience.

Four years ago, Ho Chi Minh City was the epicenter of the country’s COVID-19 outbreak. Today, the city wants to create a symbol of appreciation and unity - honoring the spirit of “standing together, moving forward.”

The proposed project will combine a green park with a symbolic structure, offered as a gift to the people of the city. Municipal leaders have approved the proposal and are aiming to complete the project before the Lunar New Year in 2026.

The structure is titled “Symbol of unity and resilience of Ho Chi Minh City citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic,” and will convey three core messages.

First is “From loss to rapid rebirth,” recalling the deeply emotional period and the city’s powerful comeback. After months of suffering, Ho Chi Minh City rebounded strongly, with impressive annual GRDP growth: 9.03% in 2022, 5.81% in 2023, and 7.17% in 2024.

The second message is “Gratitude for solidarity and collective effort,” honoring the contributions of people across the country - especially medical professionals, armed forces, and millions of citizens who stood together through unprecedented challenges in modern history.

The final message is “A reminder for the future.” The project is not just about remembering the past but also serves as a powerful lesson for future generations, underscoring the need for preparedness and unity against non-traditional security threats like pandemics.

Uniquely, this is the first time the Ho Chi Minh City government is conducting a public consultation through digital platforms and media, aiming to maximize public engagement and harness the widespread reach of modern communication channels.

This shift from conventional consultation methods reflects the vision of the city’s Party Secretary, promoting a more approachable and multi-dimensional engagement model in which media acts as the bridge between authorities and citizens.

The consultation period runs from November 1 to November 15. Citizens can contribute feedback by emailing svhtt@tphcm.gov.vn or mailing the Department of Culture and Sports at 164 Dong Khoi, Saigon Ward.

Quoc Ngoc