On February 2nd, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture sent a document to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction regarding the renovation of some roads, traffic junctions and public works in the city sponsored and directly constructed by Khang Dien Housing Investment and Business Joint Stock Company.
The Department of Planning and Architecture requested the Department of Construction to temporarily suspend the renovation deployment in the area of the square in front of Ben Thanh market and Ho Con Rua roundabout. At the same time, requested Khang Dien Housing Investment and Business Joint Stock Company to urgently provide the construction plan being implemented, with clear explanations of the differences compared to the plan previously approved by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.
The Department of Planning and Architecture also proposed to organize a meeting to collect opinions from specialized agencies and professional associations such as the Association of Architects, the Planning Association, the Fine Arts Association and experts on architecture and urban landscape. Based on the comments, the sponsoring enterprise will complete the renovation plan for the square areas in front of Ben Thanh market, Ho Con Rua roundabout and Nga 6 Phu Dong roundabout, and report to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee for consideration and decision.
Previously, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee approved Khang Dien Housing Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company to sponsor and implement the embellishment of 7 roads, traffic junctions and public works, including: the square area in front of Ben Thanh market, Nga 6 Phu Dong roundabout, Ho Con Rua roundabout, Nguyen Hue, Dong Khoi, Ham Nghi, Hai Ba Trung streets; assigned the Department of Construction to preside over the organization of implementation.
Currently, the sponsoring enterprise is urgently deploying embellishment construction in the above-mentioned areas. However, according to the Department of Planning and Architecture, in the process of implementation, some symbolic public spaces of the city such as the square in front of Ben Thanh market, the Turtle Lake roundabout and the Phu Dong roundabout roundabout have not been given due attention, significantly affecting the appearance of the central area of Ho Chi Minh City. Through practical observations and feedback from the community, many items and implementation methods are causing debate about aesthetics, landscape harmony and color.
Regarding the architectural works of Ben Thanh market, the Department of Planning and Architecture cited document No. 497/SVHTT-DSVH dated January 14, 2026 of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, which clearly states that the repainting of relic works must be approved by the directly managing unit; ensuring quality, in accordance with technical procedures; the repainting color must be in accordance with the existing color, keeping the lines and decorative motifs of the works.
For monuments and towers in the Turtle Lake area, although they have not been ranked as relics and are not on the Relic Inventory List, these are public works that have been associated with the spiritual life of city residents for a long time. Therefore, painting and renovation must comply with existing colors, ensure quality and follow technical procedures.
Through review, the Department of Planning and Architecture said that the plan attached to Document No. 06/2026/CV-KĐ dated January 15, 2026 of Khang Dien Housing Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company and the actual construction currently have differences, especially in color and scope of implementation in the area of the square in front of Ben Thanh market and Con Rua Lake roundabout. To date, it is not clear whether these changes have been considered and approved by competent authorities or not.
According to the Department of Planning and Architecture, the change of color and renovation methods in the above areas has directly affected the urban landscape space and adjacent architectural works, which need to be carefully considered before continuing to be implemented.
