Walking along Hang Bang canal in the last days of the year, it is difficult to imagine this place having been buried by garbage and homeless for decades. A modern urban appearance is gradually emerging.
The section from Ngo Nhan Tinh Street to Van Tuong Canal (in phase 2) has completely "changed its appearance" with a solid stone embankment, clean brick walking paths and lush green grass. Currently, this area has become an ideal community activity spot for local people. The water is cleared, the stone embankment is solid with a green tree system, and a clean brick walking path, completely replacing the previous scene of slums and polluted waste.
Mr. Tran Van Tam (65 years old) excitedly shared: "In the past, mentioning Hang Bang canal was referring to the stench and mosquito larvae. Now it's different, I walk here every afternoon. The canal is airy, the wind from the river is blowing in and cooling, the spiritual life of the people in this area is clearly enhanced".
Although the overall picture is brighter, the journey of "changing skin and meat" of Hang Bang canal is still not complete. Recorded at the area behind Binh Tay market, from Pham Dinh Ho street to Ngo Nhan Tinh street (in phase 2), the change was interrupted by a canal section about 120m long still in disarray.
Here, 19 houses have not been relocated, forming a "bottleneck" section, separating the seamlessness of the canal park. Construction materials are gathered, some unfinished points have accidentally become garbage dumps, creating colored areas opposite the spaciousness at both ends of the project.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board (investor), the compensation and site clearance work on the remaining section is being implemented as a separate project, previously invested by the District 6 Compensation and Site Clearance Board.
According to the plan, the entire remaining 120m of the site is expected to be handed over on April 30, 2026. Immediately after receiving the site, the Traffic Department will focus resources to complete the remaining items of phase 2 within about 3 months. Previously, phase 2 of the project was expected to be completed in 2025.
In addition to removing difficulties for phase 2, the investor is also coordinating with relevant departments and branches to speed up preparations for phase 3 (from Pham Dinh Ho Street to Binh Tien).
It is expected that the investment policy adjustment dossier will be submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council in December 2025. According to the plan, the project will start construction in the first quarter of 2027 and be completed in the third quarter of 2028. The application of compensation price frames according to the 2024 Land Law is considered a favorable factor to speed up the land acquisition progress, avoiding the situation of projects prolonged like in previous stages.
