Saigontourist Holding Company is again assigned by the HCMC government to organize Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2016, set up artistic lighting systems in Nguyen Hue pedestrian square and Quach Thi Trang roundabout in front of the landmark Ben Thanh Market, and hold other key activities in celebration of the Lunar New Year – the year of the monkey.

After being temporarily moved to Ham Nghi Boulevard last year pending the upgrade of Nguyen Hue Boulevard into a pedestrian square, the flower street for the upcoming Lunar New Year will be back to its original place which is currently a popular zone for pedestrians stretching 720 meters from the City Hall on Le Thanh Ton Street to Ton Duc Thang Street by the Saigon River.

The area around the Statue of President Ho Chi Minh in front of the City Hall will be highlighted by 36 apricot trees supplied by Phu Tho Tourist Service Co.

In 2015, the entire Nguyen Hue Boulevard was converted into a pedestrian square paved with granite stones. The city government has told Saigontourist, the main organizer of Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2016, to protect the square. Therefore, the company has made some changes in the process of arranging the flower street this year.

If the entrance to the flower street was traditionally adorned with the man-made animal designated as the sign of lunar year from 2004 till 2015, visitors will see a difference this year. Nine man-made monkeys measuring one to two meters in height each will be set up along the two sides of the street while a gate with colorful flowers will be located in the center.

Along the street will be artificial landscapes made of flowers to reflect the spirit of solidarity. Other materials used for building those landscapes are bamboo and scrap bottles to create an eco-friendly environment against the background of the concrete buildings along the road.

The organizer will place benches at those landscapes, allowing visitors to take a rest and have some beautiful snapshots with the landscapes.

The “HCMC - Peace, Prosperity and Development” landscape demonstrates an upbeat mood and a strong belief in a brighter future with artistic boats sailing on the waves of flowers.

The flower street will also have a space for the ASEAN Community which came into being early this year. A small-scale landscape created by flowers presents the unity of the community’s members.

Apart from the artificial landscapes made from flower plants, the flower street this year will feature five sculptures. They are Happiness, Saigon’s memory, Life of fish, Wind ballet and Green millennium history.

The 13th flower street is sponsored by the HCMC Government in partnership with other agencies and businesses such as Van Thinh Phat Group Corp., Times Square (Vietnam) Investment JSC, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage, Imex Pan-Pacific Co., Vietcombank, Saigon Peninsula Group Corp., An Dong Investment Corp., Binh Quoi Tourist Village, Phu Tho Tourist Co., Dam Sen Park and Saigontourist Travel Service Co.

The media sponsors of Tet Festival 2016 and Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2016 are Saigon Times Group, Tuoi Tre, Nguoi Lao Dong, Thanh Nien, Sai Gon Giai Phong, Doanh Nhan Sai Gon, Vietnam News, Phu Nu HCMC, HTV and SCTV.

- Opening time: Eight days, from 7 p.m., Feb. 5 to 10 p.m., Jan. 12.

Networking activities

- Flower arrangement display area hosted by members of Saigontourist in HCMC.

- Beverage stalls along Nguyen Hue Boulevard.

Artistic lighting systems on Nguyen Hue Street and Quach Thi Trang Roundabout

- Construction time: From Nov. 30 to Dec. 18.

- Opening time: From Dec. 19 to Jan. 5 and from Jan. 27 to Feb. 20.

- Tet decoration and Doorshows performance at members of Saigontourist from Feb. 5 to Feb. 10.