Projects open new opportunities for Ho Chi Minh City

Four super projects "transform" Can Gio

These days, the people of Can Gio island district are counting down the days to April to witness the groundbreaking moment of the Can Gio sea-encroaching urban area. "Conceived" since the 2000s, this is the most anticipated project in the "transformation" of the only island district bordering the sea in Ho Chi Minh City. At the meeting with the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on March 6, Ms. Cao Thi Ha An, Project Development Director of Vingroup Corporation, expressed her wish that the City People's Committee, together with departments and branches, support the acceleration of the completion of legal procedures so that enterprises can start the Can Gio sea-encroaching urban area project before April 30, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification and complete it in 2030. It is known that at this time, everything is "complete" and the super project has set a groundbreaking date in mid-April.

Perspective of Can Gio bridge connecting the inner city mainland with the island district

PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSPORTATION - INDEPENDENCE

Proposal to assign Ho Chi Minh City to build Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway

The Ministry of Construction has just proposed to the Prime Minister to assign Ho Chi Minh City to deploy the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh urban railway line, helping to connect the two international airports of Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh. According to the Ministry of Construction, the general planning of Ho Chi Minh City until 2040, with a vision to 2060, includes two railway lines. Of which, urban railway line No. 6 connects Tan Son Nhat airport with Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway (Phu Huu intersection). At the same time, urban railway line No. 2 connects from Tan Son Nhat airport to Thu Thiem station. Both lines then share the infrastructure of the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway line to connect to Long Thanh airport.

Currently, the planning of Ho Chi Minh City has determined that the urban railway lines No. 6 and No. 2 are invested by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh route is currently assigned to the Ministry of Construction for investment. In order to soon deploy the connection between the two airports of Tan Son Nhat - Long Thanh, ensuring the unity and synchronization of construction, operation and maximum exploitation of land funds around the project area, the Ministry of Construction has proposed that the Prime Minister agree in principle to assign the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee as the competent authority to invest in the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh urban railway project. In case of being assigned as the competent authority, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee will receive all existing research results conducted by the Railway Project Management Board - Ministry of Construction to continue to deploy investment preparation and implementation. At the same time, the ministry also proposed that the Government consider and approve adding the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway line to the list of pilot projects with specific mechanisms and policies to develop the urban railway network system in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which the National Assembly approved in Resolution 188.

The project has a planned area of ​​about 2,870 hectares with a total investment of nearly 9 billion USD, a population of nearly 230,000 people and is capable of welcoming 8 - 9 million visitors each year. With the goal of building an urban area for sea tourism, resort tourism, seminars, conferences, smart urban areas, high-tech services, housing, services, hotels..., the project is expected to turn Can Gio into a tourist, resort, investment destination that is competitive enough with sea encroachment areas in the world such as Singapore, Miami (USA), Australia...

Along with that, Vingroup has just sent a document to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Department of Transport reporting in detail the proposal to build an urban railway connecting the center of Ho Chi Minh City (Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7) to Can Gio District. This railway line is included in the planning adjustment of the metro network of Ho Chi Minh City. The largest private enterprise group in Vietnam wishes to build this line in the form of public-private partnership (BOO contract) - Vingroup will invest in the construction with its own capital and capital mobilized according to the provisions of law, own and exploit, operate the project after completion. The line will be double-track, 1,435 mm gauge, elevated with a length of 48.5 km, infrastructure designed with a speed of 250 km/hour, meeting the transport capacity of 30,000 - 40,000 people/direction/hour.

If approved, Vingroup plans to complete the pre-feasibility study report this year, submit it to competent authorities for inclusion in the planning and approval of the investment policy; then carry out site clearance and compensation work to officially start construction in 2026, complete trial operation and hand over the project in 2028.

Supporting the Can Gio coastal urban area, Ho Chi Minh City is aiming to start construction of the Can Gio bridge worth more than VND11,000 billion and the Can Gio international transit super port worth nearly USD5 billion. Initially, the Can Gio bridge was expected to start construction on the occasion of the April 30 holiday, but because the city's master plan until 2040, with a vision to 2060, has not been approved, the project does not have enough basis to submit to the City People's Council for consideration of the investment policy. After the city's master plan is approved, the Department of Transport said it will complete the documents and submit them to the competent authority for approval of the pre-feasibility study report and start construction of the project this year, completing it in 2028.

Perspective of Can Gio coastal urban area about to start construction

PHOTO: VG

Meanwhile, the Can Gio super port project was approved by the Government in January and enjoys special mechanisms and policies, with the goal of being put into operation in 2027. The research unit estimates that the first year's cargo throughput through the port will reach about 2.1 million TEUs (1 TEU equals 1 20-foot container). After 7 investment phases, the volume of cargo through Can Gio International Transit Port could reach 16.9 million TEUs by 2047 - half of Singapore's current output. The port is expected to contribute VND34,000 - 40,000 billion to the budget each year when operating at full capacity.

Witnessing the transformation of Can Gio from the time when the only way to get to the inner city was by ferry, then the Rung Sac road replaced the Dan Xay ferry, clean water was connected, and electricity was brought in, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA) Le Hoang Chau affirmed that the poorest island district in Ho Chi Minh City is approaching its second life-changing event. A sea-encroaching urban area will turn Can Gio into a regional-class resort city; a super container transit port will turn Can Gio into an international logistics center; direct connection to the city center by both road and high-speed rail... All of these projects will open up a "golden" opportunity for Can Gio to restore its position as a famous ocean port on the Asia-Europe maritime route. At the same time, it will attract a lot of talents and human resources, creating more conditions to develop historical and ecological tourism areas. At that time, the Binh Khanh area will also have the opportunity to develop into an extremely important urban area.

"Can Gio residents deserve to change their lives through these infrastructure projects, Can Gio deserves such "good" investment. Can Gio plays an important role in history, present and future, not only for Ho Chi Minh City but also for the entire Southern Key Economic Zone," Mr. Chau emphasized.

Two trillion-dollar bridges connecting the two banks of the Saigon River

The opening ceremony for the "feast" of the Ho Chi Minh City transportation industry this year must include the project to build a thousand billion VND pedestrian bridge across the Saigon River. The investor, Nutifood Nutrition Food Joint Stock Company, is urgently preparing for the groundbreaking ceremony on March 29, 1 month earlier than the original plan. The bridge is expected to be completed in 2027, becoming a unique architectural highlight of Ho Chi Minh City, while promoting tourism and connecting the center with the new Thu Thiem urban area (Thu Duc City). The pedestrian bridge is located in an important location - the Saigon River is part of the city's more than 300-year historical memory. This is also a place where important events are regularly held and is an attraction for tourists to visit and sightsee. Therefore, the construction of a pedestrian bridge connecting the two banks of the Saigon River is considered by the city's leaders to bring great value, not only helping to promote and turn Thu Thiem into an economic - financial - service center but also creating a cultural and tourist highlight.

The pedestrian bridge project connecting District 1 to the new Thu Thiem urban area will start construction on March 29.

PHOTO: TN

After the 1,000 billion VND pedestrian bridge started construction, Thu Thiem 4 bridge connecting Tan Thuan 2 bridge intersection - Nguyen Van Linh (District 7) to the North-South axis intersection - Bui Thien Ngo street (Thu Thiem new urban area) will also soon break ground. Initially, the Department of Transport proposed a bridge clearance of 15 m and could be increased to 45 m when needed, with a total investment of more than 6,000 billion VND. However, because the city plans to develop Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi port into an international passenger port, the clearance issue is being reconsidered. Like Can Gio bridge, Thu Thiem 4 bridge is also waiting for the update of Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi port planning in the Project to adjust the general planning of Ho Chi Minh City to 2040, vision 2060 to submit for approval of the pre-feasibility study report. The Department of Transport plans to start construction of Thu Thiem 4 bridge in 2025 and complete it in 2028.

When put into use, the bridge will help reduce the load on existing routes such as Ton Duc Thang, Nguyen Tat Thanh, Khanh Hoi, Huynh Tan Phat and Nguyen Van Linh bridges, and shorten travel time between Thu Duc City, Binh Thanh with Districts 7, 8, Nha Be and Binh Chanh districts.

Dr. Hoang Ngoc Lan (Institute of Smart Urban Areas and Management, University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City) assessed that the "pair" of these two bridges plays an important role in the development of both banks of the Saigon River. If the pedestrian bridge "shoulders" the task of opening up urban space and cultural space, the bridges connecting traffic and allowing vehicles to pass through, such as Thu Thiem 4 Bridge, will be the driving force to promote the development of Thu Thiem Urban Area. Shanghai City (China) also has a similar context to Ho Chi Minh City with the west bank being the bustling Shanghai Wharf, the east bank being the current Pudong area, which was previously just a remote agricultural land like the Thu Thiem swamp nearly 20 years ago. When setting the goal of developing the East into a special economic zone, the Shanghai government also started by simultaneously building many connecting bridges and building a solid infrastructure system. In just 20 years of establishment and development, Pudong has become one of the most bustling and prosperous areas in the world.

"Where the bridge connects, the east bank of the Saigon River will transform and develop. In Vietnam today, almost no locality has established a beautiful, systematic system of public spaces along the river. If Ho Chi Minh City can build a whole system of bridges connecting the parks on the east and west banks of the Saigon River, it will become the strength of the city's river city," said Dr. Hoang Ngoc Lan.

Urgently put on new clothes for the streets

In addition to key infrastructure projects, all districts are urgently renovating roads, improving drainage systems, bringing a new look to the city to celebrate the big festival. Hundreds of sidewalks and alleys in the inner city are being renovated with many items such as paving bricks, granite, replacing manhole covers... The median strips on many roads are also being repainted. Up to now, some roads in the central area such as Pham Ngoc Thach, Nguyen Van Chiem, Nguyen Trai, the section before Phu Dong roundabout (District 1) have completed paving with granite, making the sidewalks more airy. To limit the impact on people's daily life and business, the process of digging the ground and pouring concrete is concentrated at night. During the day, workers mainly install curbs and complete stone paving.

Sidewalks are being renovated simultaneously, contributing to improving urban aesthetics.

PHOTO: PHAM HUU

On some streets such as Nguyen Huu Tho (connecting Nha Be District - District 7), Dien Bien Phu (Binh Thanh District), Phan Xich Long (Phu Nhuan District), the sidewalks are not only upgraded, replaced with new bricks but also have fresh flower pots, bringing a new vitality to the city.

According to the report of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Infrastructure Construction Investment Project Management Board (Urban Infrastructure Board), there are about 7 urban beautification projects, helping to improve the landscape and living environment for people in the area, which were started to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, including: the project to dredge and build infrastructure for Xuyen Tam canal (Binh Thanh District, Go Vap District); architectural lighting project for conservation works including Thu Ngu flagpole, Mong Bridge, City Children's House, Ben Thanh market, Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Ton Duc Thang Museum.

City residents and tourists from everywhere will soon be able to travel on new, spacious, clean and beautiful roads, joining in the emotional and proud atmosphere of the upcoming great festival.

Many special and meaningful tours in Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of April 30th

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, marking the continuous development of the city's tourism, the Department of Tourism and related units honored 50 typical symbols - the marks that contribute to creating an integrated, culturally diverse, vibrant but also very affectionate and affectionate Ho Chi Minh City. These include the group of relics including the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, Thu Ngu flagpole, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee headquarters, the Saigon Special Forces Relics system, Nha Rong Wharf; the spiritual cultural group including Ong Ba Chieu Mausoleum, water puppetry, folk music; the culinary group including sidewalk coffee, Saigon bread, broken rice... Travel companies have built many special tours, taking tourists to explore this entire group of relics, rediscovering the Imprint of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City - 50-year memories from the past to the present with destinations such as the Saigon Special Forces Museum with the floating bunker relic, the secret mailbox associated with the Saigon Special Forces before 1975...

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-cong-trinh-mo-van-hoi-moi-cho-tphcm-185250320231131517.htm