From historical port to modern riverside urban axis
In 50 years since Saigon - Gia Dinh city was officially honored to be named after President Ho Chi Minh, the urban appearance along the Saigon River has changed dramatically.
Along the West bank of the Saigon River, Ben Bach Dang Park and Ton Duc Thang Park after the renovation and embellishment phase completed in 2022-2023 have created an expanded space of more than 20 hectares, continuously connected with Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, wharf and Ba Son area. Not only becoming a landscape highlight, this place is also a venue for many large-scale cultural events and festivals of the city.
Right next door, Ba Son area - once the old shipyard of Saigon - has transformed into a modern urban area with high-rise towers, squares and Ba Son underground station of Metro Line 1. The official operation of Metro Line 1 from December 22, 2024 has marked the appearance of the first modern public transport method in Ho Chi Minh City, connecting the center with the East and opening up a new development phase for the city.
Connecting the two banks of the river is Ba Son bridge, formerly named Thu Thiem 2 bridge. The project was inaugurated on April 28, 2022, nearly 1.5 km long with a 113 m high cable-stayed tower, connecting the city center with Thu Thiem new urban area. Not only contributing to reducing traffic pressure for the Saigon River tunnel and Saigon Bridge, the bridge also quickly became a new architectural symbol of the city.
In the downstream area, the Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi wharf area is also entering a period of strong transformation. Nha Rong wharf, where President Ho Chi Minh left to find a way to save the country in 1911, continues to be preserved as a special historical relic, and is also in the planning to renovate the old Saigon port into a cultural, commercial and service space along the river.
Not far away, Me Linh Square, after many years of degradation, has been renovated and put back into use since 2022. The square with the Tran Hung Dao statue has been synchronously renovated with green trees, walkways and riverside landscapes, creating a harmonious connection point between Nguyen Hue pedestrian street and Ben Bach Dang park.
New growth pole by the Saigon River
On the other side of the river, the East bank of the Saigon River also witnessed a strong breakthrough. Prominent is Landmark 81, inaugurated on July 26, 2018. With a height of 461.2 m and 81 floors, the project became the tallest building in Vietnam, contributing to affirming the position of the new urban center in the East.
Along with the architectural works is the development of waterway transport. The river bus route went into operation from the end of 2017, connecting Bach Dang wharf with Linh Dong, bringing an additional choice of transportation and city experience from the Saigon River. Along with that, the system of marinas, restaurants and river tours is constantly developing, turning the river from its main role in transportation into an attractive tourism, cultural and entertainment space.
In the coming time, the riverside area is expected to continue to become a new growth center when Ho Chi Minh City implements the Vietnam International Finance Center Project. The project is oriented to build a modern financial, technology and service ecosystem, directly connected to the Saigon River landscape axis, creating more economic development momentum for the city in the new phase.
The change of the riverside chain of projects not only changes the urban appearance but also reflects the strong transformation journey of Ho Chi Minh City on the path towards a modern, smart and internationally integrated city.
