A plan to turn downtown Saigon's riverfront into green and cultural zones signals a new vision for urban sustainability.
Recently, during a conference marking 50 years of literature and arts in Ho Chi Minh City, Secretary of the Party Committee Tran Luu Quang revealed the city's new approach to “investing in space” so that culture becomes a spiritual backbone for residents.
This includes preserving and developing the Saigon River waterfront, particularly the Ben Nha Rong area, and converting the land at No. 1 Ly Thai To Street into a public park and a memorial for COVID-19 victims.
Creating a cultural and historical space to preserve unique heritage
The Saigon River waterfront holds historical significance and is part of the city’s heritage landscape. Photo: Quoc Ngoc
According to the city’s top leader, the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee has decided not to approve residential development projects along the Saigon River, especially near Ben Nha Rong - Ho Chi Minh Museum (HCMC branch).
Instead, this area will be transformed into a multifunctional cultural zone and park, integrated with the expansion of Nguyen Tat Thanh Street and public services, envisioned as part of the “Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space.”
This statement strongly affirms the city's commitment to safeguarding public access while preserving a historic complex closely tied to young Nguyen Tat Thanh’s journey to find a path to national salvation. The area also preserves memories of what was once one of the most bustling ports, linking Vietnam to the world.
The river and its network of canals are, above all, invaluable natural assets of the city.
Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, former head of General Planning at the Department of Planning and Architecture, emphasized that the landscape corridors of rivers and canals contain natural and cultural heritage values that are fundamental to an international-caliber urban area.
"Therefore, we must ensure not only every citizen's right to access the riverbanks but also the 'rights' of the river itself-preventing the enclosure of waterfronts for private development under the guise of economic growth," he stated.
From a planning and environmental perspective, experts support prioritizing sustainable solutions along riverbanks.
According to Dr. Le Buu Thach of the Institute of Advanced Technology, part of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, green development is an inevitable trend.
“An integrated planning approach that includes green infrastructure not only improves environmental quality and reduces urban heat islands but also provides significant health, cultural, aesthetic, and economic benefits,” Dr. Thach affirmed.
Urban green zones as symbols of remembrance and healing
Development of a mixed-use complex along the river was halted as plans shift toward creating parks and public space.
A significant decision was also shared by Secretary Tran Luu Quang: the land at No. 1 Ly Thai To-formerly a government guesthouse for diplomatic delegations-will be converted into a public park.
More importantly, the Standing Committee envisions erecting a monument there to honor citizens who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This meaningful transformation redefines a prime commercial location into a symbol of gratitude, resilience, and unity for the people of the city after a period of profound loss.
Some investors have even volunteered to fund the development of the park as a gift to the city, further reinforcing the communal spirit and collective memory embedded in the idea of creating public space.
Urban planning experts agree this choice aligns perfectly with the principles of sustainable city development.
Architect Hoang Huu Phe, an urban planning PhD from the University of London, consistently underscores the crucial role of green space in enhancing living quality and climate resilience.
Preserved green space at No. 1 Ly Thai To, once a government guesthouse, is being transformed into a public park and COVID-19 memorial.
He noted that green space should not be seen merely as decorative but as foundational to sustainability, essential to attracting high-quality human capital and enhancing the quality of a modern city.
“Green space is an essential component of urban quality-it includes everything from parks and tree-lined streets to drainage systems and infrastructure. It is tangible, measurable, and often the deciding factor when residents choose where to live,” Dr. Phe explained.
Indeed, a park in such a strategic location is not only a site of remembrance but also a vital “green lung” and gathering place for public rest and rejuvenation.
It reflects Ho Chi Minh City’s determination to manage public land with the highest ethical standards-transforming economically valuable land into spiritual legacies for future generations.
These policies, implemented right at the beginning of the new Party Committee term, are shaping a new image for the city-one that doesn't place economics above all but builds on cultural, historical, and ecological values with a long-term vision for sustainable development.
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