On January 9, the Liveable City Center under the Ministry of National Development of Singapore (CLC) together with the Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City and a number of related units conducted a longitudinal survey. Saigon river. At the same time, discuss the development of this river corridor associated with the riverside and seaside service economy.
In order to learn more about the assessment of Singaporean experts on the development potential of the Saigon River, the newspaper Ho Chi Minh City Law had an interview with Mr. Michael Koh, an expert at the Center for Liveable Cities (CLC), under the Singapore Ministry of National Development (MND).
Impression of urban development along the river
. Reporter: After surveying along the Saigon River by both yacht and bus River route, what is your assessment of the Saigon River and its development potential?
+ Grandfather Michael Koh: I am very impressed by the rapid development of the cities along the Saigon River. However, having to cross the road (Ton Duc Thang) to reach Bach Dang wharf and reach the riverbank is an obstacle and difficulty. I have the feeling that this traffic road is dividing the landscape of the Saigon Riverbank and the central walking street.
Through a survey, I saw that Saigon River has many opportunities for development. It has the heritage and history and culture of Ho Chi Minh City, we need to maintain this.
The Saigon River is like the soul of the city, like a “green dragon” and all city residents need to understand, love and be responsible for contributing to it. Through that, we can build good infrastructure and economic activities along the river, gradually forming riverside urban characteristics.
. Ho Chi Minh City is in the process of adjusting the city’s general planning, which focuses on development around the Saigon River. So according to you, what does the city need to improve in the immediate future to develop the Saigon River (for example, just embellishing CBach Dang wharf or Thu Thiem wharf like the city has done recently?).
+ This is a difficult question. In my personal opinion, public-private participation with investors requires careful consideration of needs for effective riverside development.
In addition, we must recognize that if we want to develop, we need to connect the entire ecosystem, not just one industry, one unit or one or two projects.
Like Singapore’s Marina Bay area, employment connections, complex functions, infrastructure… are needed to form such an attractive area.
Four issues need attention
. He can suggest and suggest ideas What about planning, development and exploitation along the Saigon River in the future, sir?
+ Firstly, developing the Saigon River needs to pay attention to the characteristics and personalities of each area the river passes through, like the formation and development of a dragon. Singapore is similar. We also have to handle infrastructure appropriately to develop unique landscapes (like the dragon head statue in Marina Bay).
Second, reusing the port area (like the lesson in Bangkok) to become a very interesting area in terms of tourism and local economy (like the District 4 port area can form this area) also needs to be considered. heart. Or like France, they also renovated the national library (located on the banks of the Seine River), rebuilt it into a chain of universities, an innovation zone, an incubator, a complex, and residential areas to create a very attractive area. .
Third, the issue of art and culture creates the personality of the river. The Saigon River also has a special mark on river culture and industrial development from the past. We must create cultural and artistic centers, places that highlight history, and create tourist destinations to attract visitors. The city also needs to maintain and protect the originality of heritage residential communities in these areas.
Fourth, connectivity is also very important, ecological trends with green village connections are very important. Ho Chi Minh City needs to pay attention to developing a water city, a city with river characteristics. Singapore also had a similar period in the past and now Singapore has turned river and canal surfaces into facades with core river values.•
What is CLC Center?
CLC – abbreviation for Liveable Cities Center under the Ministry of National Development Singapore (center for liveable cities, ministry of national development Singapore). This is a center that provides a lens through which city leaders can view their city. The centre’s research distills key principles from Singapore’s development experience and aims to provide useful guidance for developing sustainable and livable cities.
The center works with a network of local and international partners who share an interest in developing sustainable and livable cities. Supporting the center is also a group of advisors, graduate students and experts as well as 22 relevant local government agencies.
What do domestic experts say?
PhD architect NGUYEN ANH TUAN, Head of General Planning Management Department of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Investment:
Developing a new economic hub right on the banks of the Saigon River
We can see on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street there is Nguyen Tat Thanh University. The school overlooks Nha Rong wharf and planning to turn this area into an education, training and research complex would be very attractive.
If we can attract large corporations here, it will create a hub for employment and the sharing economy. It’s great that Ho Chi Minh City has this area, not to mention that in the future, yachts can dock right at District 4 port, can go right to this school hub, creating a new economic hub right on the banks of the Saigon River.
The meeting with Singaporean experts and departments is to advise on the development strategy of the Saigon River corridor in planning and design. At the same time, we highlight the practical experiences of countries in developing river corridors as well as activating the economic and service ecosystem along this river.
Grandfather NGUYEN TRAN HUU THANG, General Secretary of Thu Duc City Yacht Club, Ho Chi Minh City:
Proposal to develop a tourist port
After surveying, we proposed to develop a tourist port in Truong Tho ward, Thu Duc city.
Firstly, the current status of this area is that it is an inland transshipment port, so the depth of the harbor and the associated infrastructure are quite favorable for the formation of a harbor area, anchoring and transporting boats.
Second, this location has a convenient transportation platform between river and road, especially this is also a place with a view linking many large urban projects of Thu Duc City and Ho Chi Minh City.
At the same time, this area should have waterway tourism connections such as watertaxi service, water sports entertainment area, shopping area and food service…
Grandfather TRAN NGOC HOAI ANspecialist of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism:
Synchronize infrastructure for waterway tourism development
The City Department of Tourism also has a plan (issued in 2023) on developing waterway tourism products in the city, including a synchronous orientation on infrastructure to develop waterway tourism, Gradually turn waterway tourism into the region’s leading tourist center.
On the Saigon River, we should further improve water sanitation and invest in water entertainment services and underwater experience activities.
Recently, the City Department of Tourism also commented on the pedestrian bridge across the Saigon River (District 1), and also noted the clearance of bridges that affect passing boats such as Tran Khanh Du Bridge. (Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe canal).
RESILIENCE – PHONG DIEN
