Ho Chi Minh City is set to transform a vacant strip of land along Mai Chi Tho Boulevard - stretching from Nguyen Co Thach Street to D1 Street - into a dedicated bike lane nearly 6 kilometers long. Designed for a speed limit of 20 km/h, this green initiative aims to offer residents a space for eco-friendly commuting and healthy exercise.

On September 22, the Urban Traffic Management Center under the city's Department of Construction announced that the bike lane project will run from October 1 to December 31.

The project has a total investment of 12.7 billion VND (approximately $531,000 USD) and will cover a 5.8-kilometer stretch, 20 meters wide, with a designated speed of 20 km/h. The bike path will include signs, lane markings, and be clearly separated from motor vehicles. It will also feature nearby bike parking and public bicycle stations for ease of access, particularly in residential areas.

The lane itself will be 2 meters wide and built using available roadside infrastructure on Mai Chi Tho. When crossing bridges, it will narrow to 1.5 meters. More than just a means of transport, the route is envisioned as a green, quiet public space that promotes cycling, sightseeing, exercise, and a cleaner urban environment.

In the next phase, scheduled for 2026, the city plans to expand with two additional sections:

The first section will run from Nguyen Co Thach Street to Saigon Riverside Park, spanning 1.4 km in each direction.

The second section will connect the D1 - Mai Chi Tho intersection to Vo Nguyen Giap Street, reaching An Phu Metro Station, covering 2.5 km per direction.

Once completed, this bike lane network on Mai Chi Tho Boulevard will link major residential areas such as Sala, Newcity, and The Sun Avenue with the Saigon Riverside Park and Rach Chiec Station on Metro Line 1, creating a continuous green mobility corridor across the city.

Mai Chi Tho Boulevard is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most vital thoroughfares, linking the eastern gateway to the central business district. As part of the 22-kilometer East-West Highway, it stretches from the Cat Lai intersection (formerly in Thu Duc City) to National Route 1 (formerly in Binh Chanh District).

Located entirely in the former Thu Duc City area, the boulevard is over 6.3 kilometers long, starting at the Saigon River Tunnel and ending at the Cat Lai intersection with Vo Nguyen Giap Street. With a road width averaging 100 meters and accommodating 10 to 14 traffic lanes, it is considered the backbone of eastern Ho Chi Minh City’s transport infrastructure.

Tien Phong