The square will connect directly to downtown Ho Chi Minh City via a pedestrian bridge over the Saigon River. According to the design firm, the project is not just a public space but also aims to establish a new urban identity for the city.

Access to District 1 at Me Linh Square via a pedestrian bridge will facilitate festivals, cultural and political events, and community activities.

Truong Hai (Thaco) recently proposed researching an investment in a central square, riverside park, and ecological forest park spanning over 177 hectares in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area. The square and park will cover over 27 hectares, with the square itself occupying 21 hectares.

According to the plan, the project is expected to become the largest square in the country. It will connect with the riverside park to create a nearly 30-hectare public space along the Saigon River. The total investment, based on previous research, is nearly 1,800 billion VND.

The central square and park are designed by DE-SO Asia, a French architecture and urban planning firm. They won an international competition for the design of public spaces in Thu Thiem in 2008.

The square is designed as an open ecosystem with abundant greenery. The project avoids concrete along the riverbank, preserving the vegetation and river's edge. The open space connects from the central lake to the Saigon River, offering an unobstructed view of District 1.

Thu Thiem's rainwater collection system will be directed to the central park for treatment, reuse, and evaporation. This helps regulate the microclimate and reduces drainage pressure on the city.

Shade, wind, water, and porous soil are restored as essential elements, creating a "breathable" city center in the face of increasingly harsh climate change.

Native trees and lotus-leaf-shaped structures create a familiar yet modern landscape, reflecting Vietnamese heritage.

According to the designers, the project features southern architectural influences, with orange tile flooring reminiscent of traditional roofs and courtyards.

The park integrates ecological education with a botanical garden for outdoor learning activities on biodiversity and climate change.

The Thu Thiem square and park are expected to become a symbol of a modern yet green Ho Chi Minh City, rich in cultural identity. In late 2023, Thu Duc City mobilized social capital to renovate and open a park section from the Saigon River Tunnel to Ba Son Bridge. This location has since become a popular gathering spot for residents and tourists, especially in the evenings and on weekends.

The 930-hectare Thu Thiem New Urban Area, planned since 1996, is designed for a population of about 200,000. It is targeted for completion before 2030, according to Resolution 26/2020 of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.

According to Ho Chi Minh City authorities, the total investment needed for Thu Thiem is about 35,750 billion VND. Of this, over 9,300 billion VND is required for 15 infrastructure projects. However, implementation has faced many obstacles, especially regarding technical infrastructure.

Quynh Tran - Gia Minh