The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Party Committee recently submitted this proposal to the City Party Standing Committee, following an agreement on the overall site plan for the Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi Port area, which spans approximately 39,51 ha.

The Ho Chi Minh historical site and museum - Ho Chi Minh City branch - located within Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi Port. *Photo: Quynh Tran*

This port area is situated along the Saigon River in Xom Chieu ward, bordering the old District 1 center and located a few hundred meters from Nguyen Hue walking street and Bach Dang wharf park. Within this area, Nha Rong Wharf, now the Ho Chi Minh Museum's Ho Chi Minh City branch, holds historical significance as the place where young Nguyen Tat Thanh (later Ho Chi Minh) departed Saigon on 5/6/1911 to seek a path to national salvation.

In 2016, Ho Chi Minh City initially approved a plan for a private enterprise to develop the Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi complex, primarily for housing and commercial centers. However, this project has since been cancelled, and the city now aims to transform the entire Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi area into a green park and Ho Chi Minh cultural space.

In addition to allocating approximately 11 ha for the historical site and museum, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Party Committee proposes expanding Nguyen Tat Thanh street towards the port to a minimum of 8 lanes, double its current capacity. This plan also includes building a new Tan Thuan 1 bridge to replace the existing one.

The remaining area will feature a multi-functional green park, incorporating public amenities, community activity spaces, entertainment facilities, a passenger port, and a resettlement area for displaced residents.

The Nha Rong Port land extends from Khanh Hoi Bridge to Tan Thuan Bridge. *Graphics: Tam Thao*

All aforementioned components are proposed for implementation through a public-private partnership (PPP) and a build-transfer (BT) contract. Phase one of the project, focusing on the expansion and renovation of the Ho Chi Minh historical site and museum, is anticipated to be completed on 2/9 this year.

Previously, detailed planning for the area designated the Ho Chi Minh Museum land as K1, with an area of approximately 1,4 ha. The city aims for this renovation and expansion to create a symbolic landmark of tradition, culture, and history, featuring modern and distinctive exhibition content and design. This initiative will also establish a Ho Chi Minh cultural space within the expanded area.

*Giang Anh*