Looking from Nguyen Hue axis to Saigon river is Thu Thiem central square and art and culture park - Photo: CHAU TUAN
In the development process up to now, although Ho Chi Minh City has still arranged and organized public spaces for Ho Chi Minh City residents as well as tourists from all over the country to participate in festivals, cultural and artistic events, and major anniversaries of Ho Chi Minh City as well as the whole country at some central axes, there is a great need for a square of worthy stature.
Two square projects in Ho Chi Minh City
In the central area of Ho Chi Minh City, there are currently several large spatial axes that attract many people, such as Nguyen Hue Street (in front of Uncle Ho's statue) connected to Bach Dang Wharf, Le Loi Street connected to Ben Thanh Market and 23-9 Park, and Le Duan Street connected to 30-4 Park.
These roads are currently used by the city to organize major and meaningful holidays and anniversaries of the country as well as of Ho Chi Minh City, such as the anniversary of the country's reunification on April 30 and the national day.
These axes are also where city residents and tourists from all over the country visit, entertain, shop as well as gather for festivals, New Year, fireworks, countdown festivals, art performances...
Although the above axes are serving as community living spaces for the city's residents as well as tourists from all over the country, they are not necessarily squares worthy of Ho Chi Minh City.
Regarding square planning, Ho Chi Minh City is currently implementing two square plans.
One is the square project in front of Ben Thanh market , connected to Le Loi axis, 23-9 park. The project was approved in mid-late February 2025 with a total renovation area of nearly 59,000m2 including the square and traffic roads, sidewalks, and works connected to the square.
This area is divided into four sub-zones: the area around Ben Thanh market; the small island in front of the railway headquarters; the area in front of Ben Thanh quadrangle; the bow of the 23-9 park. The total investment capital for the project is 145 billion VND, implemented in the 2025-2026 period.
The second is the project to build a central square in the Thu Thiem new urban area, covering an area of over 21 hectares, with a total investment of VND1,793 billion. The central square in the Thu Thiem new urban area will be the largest square in Vietnam, connecting with the Saigon River park on the Thu Thiem side, creating a public space of about 30 hectares.
The central square is a place to hold cultural and political festivals and is a public space for residents and tourists. Thu Duc City recently proposed applying the BT form of payment in cash for this project.
Ho Chi Minh City needs a "multi-purpose" square
Squares are essential public spaces for large cities, especially cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where national and international political and cultural events are often held.
A city like Ho Chi Minh City can have many types of squares associated with traffic axes, commercial areas, trees, water surfaces...
Regarding the political administrative square, it is necessary to associate it with special historical and cultural architecture such as the People's Committee headquarters and the Independence Palace.
Talking to Tuoi Tre about the current status and needs of the square, architect Ngo Anh Vu - director of the Institute of Urban Planning - said that compared to Hanoi as the capital, a political square is less suitable for Ho Chi Minh City.
Political squares require large areas, high flatness, few trees, and are less friendly... compared to cultural and commercial squares.
At the same time, the frequency and demand for using political squares are also less than the demand for squares associated with cultural activities, festivals, arts, performances, events, exchanges, commerce, etc.
Ho Chi Minh City is a large and important city of the country, so the need for a multi-purpose square is more appropriate. The square is attached to the City People's Committee, the area in front of Uncle Ho's statue ensures solemnity but the scale is not enough.
Therefore, Ho Chi Minh City has planned a central square in the new urban area of Thu Thiem to meet the need of having both an axis in front of the City People's Committee and a new urban area. The area of Thu Thiem square is also large enough, combining the Saigon River with Bach Dang wharf square in the shape of a bow.
The square in Thu Thiem is planned to combine political, artistic and cultural functions. This is the central square of the city.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau believes that it is necessary to promote the construction of a central square in Thu Thiem connecting with the old center of the city. There is a large space that is convenient for transportation, in harmony with the modern landscape of a new center.
"This way, we can create new works that bear the mark of the times, freely design and apply modern technology in organizing the square as well as the activities and events there...", Dr. Hau said.
Commercial square near Ben Thanh market
Regarding the square project in front of Ben Thanh market, architect Khuong Van Muoi said that this project connects 23/9 park, connected to Le Loi axis as a commercial square. This square is connected to metro station No. 1, connected to the space of Nguyen Hue, Ham Nghi, Ton Duc Thang axis... creating a large public space.
Further analysis, architect Ngo Anh Vu also said that the square project in front of Ben Thanh market will contribute to improving the quality of public space, creating an architectural highlight for the city center, while improving traffic conditions and living environment.
The planning of the square connecting with metro station No. 1 also helps to strengthen the area's role as an important transport and commercial hub.
"Investing in planned squares needs to be planned and suitable for conditions. Currently, because the central square in Thu Thiem has not been built yet and the city needs many other spaces for communication, the public space at Bach Dang wharf is being developed. Together with the square in front of Ben Thanh market, it will create many places for entertainment, recreation and culture for people...", Mr. Vu said.
Need more squares along Saigon River
In recent years, the city's residents as well as tourists nationwide have come to know a vibrant Nguyen Hue street associated with cultural and artistic activities, festivals, entertainment... This street is associated with Bach Dang wharf, highlighting cultural activities, festivals, and commerce.
Architect Khuong Van Muoi, former vice president of the Vietnam Association of Architects, believes that a large city with many squares is better. Mr. Muoi analyzed that Ho Chi Minh City has advantages in developing squares.
The central square in Thu Thiem can accommodate up to about 1 million people, connecting the Saigon River space.
In the city's planning orientation, both sides of the Saigon River are also planned to create a water square, exploiting the city's advantage of the Saigon River.
Singer Henry Lau can perform with many musical instruments at the 4th Ho Do international music festival taking place at Nguyen Hue walking street - Photo: TTD
On this side of the river, Ton Duc Thang Street will be planned as a pedestrian street, then a bridge will be built connecting the two banks of the river at the area of the statue of Saint Tran Hung Dao passing through Thu Thiem Square.
"The implementation of the square is in accordance with the planning orientation suitable for each stage and conditions of Ho Chi Minh City. In the future, Ho Chi Minh City will have Nguyen Hue axis connected to Ton Duc Thang park and Bach Dang wharf. In the middle is a water square connecting the two banks of the river. On the other side is the central square in Thu Thiem, a cultural and artistic park, connecting community activities on both sides of the river.
Thus, Ho Chi Minh City will have many square spaces close together, forming a large overall space. With such an overall square space, Ho Chi Minh City can flexibly coordinate exploitation to enrich the city's activities in all fields of politics, culture, art, commerce... creating greater values for the city," Mr. Muoi analyzed.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau also believes that the construction of a central square in Thu Thiem connected to the Saigon River will help Ho Chi Minh City have "two halves" symmetrically across the Saigon River. One side preserves the cultural heritage of the 19th and 20th centuries to develop the heritage economy and service tourism economy. The other side is a modern city that meets modern economic and cultural needs, a mark of Ho Chi Minh City in the 21st century.
Laodong.vn
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/quang-truong-o-tp-hcm-hoanh-trang-ra-sao-2025031823414219.htm
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