On the evening of February 12, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee officially inaugurated Park No. 1 Ly Thai To with the participation of Politburo Member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang, along with the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, leaders of the People's Council, People's Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, religious dignitaries and people. The project has a total investment of more than 263 billion VND, is completely implemented with socialized capital funded by Sun Group and directly constructed.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc emotionally said: "There were days when we thought we could not stand firm. The number of cases increased hour by hour, minute by minute. Ambulances roared in the night and the neighborhoods were silent to the point of heartache. The city grew negatively for the first time, but the will of the people was never negative. And under the close and timely direction of the Party, State, Government and the consensus of the people, the City stood firm and overcame the devastating pandemic. We are proud of a city that has gone through storms with the strength of solidarity with the spirit of "fighting epidemics like fighting invaders".
We will never forget the images of rice ATMs, 0-dong supermarkets, free meals full of affection in times of hardship... It is in that spirit that humanity and kindness have helped the city not only overcome the pandemic but also revived strongly and impressively...".
City leaders affirmed that the sacrifice of the people and the leading medical team has "turned into a monument not built with stone, but built with the gratitude of millions of people in this city". According to Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Park No. 1 Ly Thai To is not just a simple green patch but carries 3 big messages: Revival from the painful land; Compatriots' affection for helping each other in adversity; and Aspiration towards the future.
To realize that message, the center of the park is Drop Square, 1,800 m2. Architects have designed the ground to be dug down 4m, creating a "memory pit" like a scar deeply imprinted in the ground, reminding of past losses. The Drop Monument is 6m high, 13m in circumference, made of stainless steel mirrors placed in the center, reflecting the image of each person standing around, conveying the philosophy: this pain is not just anyone's, but a shared common memory...
To keep the project on schedule, the construction unit deployed construction at a lightning speed in more than 90 days and nights.
In addition to new construction items, all existing ancient green trees are preserved intact. Old villas bearing historical imprints (such as the Uncle Fire house area) are restored to become exhibition and library spaces in the future.
The inauguration of Park No. 1 Ly Thai To is proof of Ho Chi Minh City's long-term vision in putting people at the center of development, turning empty spaces into "humanitarian heritage" for future generations.
