The Department of Construction recently reported the plan to the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) People's Committee, based on a proposal from the Youth Volunteer Force, the unit currently managing the parking lot.

The current parking area in zone A of the park (green space area) will be relocated. *Quynh Tran*

Previously, the city allowed a temporary motorbike parking lot in zone A to meet the demand of metro passengers. This parking area has an entrance and exit on Le Lai street, close to the station and Ben Thanh market.

Due to adjustments in land use, the Youth Volunteer Force proposed moving the parking lot to zone B of 23/9 Park. This area is still part of the park but is further away, surrounded by Pham Ngu Lao, Nguyen Thi Nghia, Ton That Tung, and Le Lai streets.

According to the Department of Construction, zone B is managed by the HCMC Land Fund Development Center and includes both the ground level and a basement beneath the former Sen Hong stage area. The basement currently houses a shopping and dining complex under an existing exploitation contract, making it difficult to allocate a parking lot there. Therefore, the Department proposed considering the use of the ground level of zone B for parking after the relocation from zone A.

The location of the Sen Hong stage in zone B of the park – the proposed new parking site. *Dang Hieu*

Another option involves utilizing the land at the former office building of the HCMC Land Fund Development Center in zone B for parking. This option is considered unfeasible due to its distance from the metro station, which would inconvenience passengers, despite the space being vacant.

The Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line, which began operations in late 2024, has served nearly 17 million passengers to date. Parking demand at stations, especially in the city center, remains high, leading to frequent overcrowding at many parking lots.

*Giang Anh*