The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee recently submitted a proposal to the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee regarding the adjustment of the master plan for certain locations within the Thu Thiem New Urban Area to develop a centralized administrative center. The chosen location is at the Central Lake Park within the Thu Thiem New Urban Area (An Khanh ward), with a scale of 15-20 hectares.

This action follows the direction of Chairman of the People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc, after a meeting with Sun Group.

According to the proposal, after the merger, Ho Chi Minh City became a special urban area with 168 communes and wards, and approximately 7,000 officials and civil servants working in administrative agencies. This number is expected to be streamlined by 20% in the next 5 years. Currently, administrative agencies are scattered across various locations, causing difficulties in coordination between departments and not providing optimal convenience for citizens and businesses. Therefore, the city believes that building a modern, multifunctional centralized administrative center is essential.

The Department of Construction recommends that the minimum area for the centralized administrative center should be at least 10 hectares to ensure sufficient space for office buildings, plazas, green spaces, parking lots, and other facilities that meet the standards of a special urban area. After reviewing various options, the Department proposes using a site of over 33 hectares at Central Lake in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

This site is currently vacant, with complete transport infrastructure already in place. It includes over 3 hectares designated for cultural purposes (planned for a children's center) and nearly 30 hectares of green space and water surface. The area is directly connected to ring roads, highways, metro stations, and Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports, while also being adjacent to the existing city center, making it suitable for a centralized administrative center.

Real estate in Thu Thiem New Urban Area, along the Saigon River. Photo: Quynh Tran

Real estate in Thu Thiem New Urban Area, along the Saigon River. Photo: Quynh Tran

Two construction options proposed by Sun Group are under consideration. Option 1 involves utilizing a maximum of 16 hectares (out of 33) to construct a 35-story building with a total floor area of at least 160,000 square meters and a density of approximately 40-60%. Option 2 involves using the entire 33 hectares, with the land use structure to be determined after the architectural plan is selected.

According to the Department of Construction’s assessment, Option 1 is suitable as it ensures sufficient space, preserves a portion of the water surface park, and does not affect the planned children's center project.

Therefore, the Department proposes three layout options for the building complex: two high-rise blocks over 30 stories each; five blocks under 20 stories each; or a curved architectural cluster following the traffic flow, approximately 15 stories high, creating a visually striking effect.

If approved, the city will review and adjust the overall planning in the Central Lake area of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area and the 1/2,000 scale detailed planning. Relevant departments will expedite the project research, appraisal, land procedures, and construction permitting to shorten the timeline, with construction expected to commence in Quarter 1/2026.

Previous plans had designated the city's centralized administrative area in the existing city center or the Binh Quoi - Thanh Da peninsula. Before the merger, the Department of Construction proposed building an administrative center at 86 Le Thanh Ton street, covering an area of 1.8 hectares and accommodating approximately 1,692 officials and civil servants. However, this scale did not meet staffing needs and had limited connections to key transportation hubs.

The Thu Thiem New Urban Area, with a scale of 930 hectares (including 770 hectares for the new urban area and 160 hectares for resettlement), was approved by the Prime Minister in 1996. It is located on the east bank of the Saigon River, opposite the old District 1. The planned population for the urban area is approximately 200,000, with 45,000 resettled residents.

After nearly 30 years, the area is still undergoing infrastructure completion and investment in public works. Several projects are currently underway, including the Ho Chi Minh City Planning Exhibition Center, Thu Thiem Central Square, and Thu Thiem Theater.

Phuong Uyen