Garden Islands on Saigon River: Bridging the Gap in Downtown Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is set to embark on an innovative project: building garden islands on the Saigon River, creating new public spaces while narrowing the gap between District 1 and Thu Thiem, making the city more unique.

The Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts Global (AVSE Global) and the Paris Regional Planning Institute (IPR) are assisting the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture in researching comprehensive development plans for the Saigon River corridor. The proposal includes constructing garden islands combined with pedestrian bridges along the river section through the city center (District 1 - Thu Thiem). VnExpress interviewed Dr. Nguyen Thu Tra, a representative of the research team, to understand this concept.

Why build garden islands on the Saigon River?

This idea stems from the lack of green spaces and pedestrian connections between District 1 and Thu Thiem in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Unlike cities such as Paris or London, where residents and tourists can easily stroll between the riverbanks, Ho Chi Minh City lacks such connected infrastructure. Despite existing large-scale projects like the Saigon River Tunnel, Ba Son Bridge, Thu Thiem 1 Bridge, and plans for large pedestrian bridges, the two riverbanks in the city center remain poorly connected, hindering the urbanization process of both sides.

Building one or two pedestrian and bicycle bridges in the city center could positively impact the spatial connection between the two banks. However, the river section is about 250 meters wide, larger than the Singapore River and twice as wide as the Seine in France. Thus, we propose constructing several garden islands on the river, creating stopover points and facilitating the connection from District 1 to Thu Thiem.

These islands can be fixed or floating, positioned near the riverbanks where the flow is slower. On the islands, Ho Chi Minh City can organize various recreational activities such as cafes, floating restaurants, offering unique "green experiences" for residents and tourists while balancing the area's space.

What models inspired the garden island concept?

Globally, this model is not common, except for some floating garden experiments in Paris, Nantes (France), and on the Rhine (Germany). Before proposing this idea, we referred to the public space development process at Copenhagen Harbor (Denmark). After industrial relocation, the harbor was transformed into a large public space, combining green areas, waterfront walkways, water buses, and pedestrian bridges, creating an attractive destination and improving the urban quality of downtown Copenhagen.

Because this model is rare, Ho Chi Minh City has the opportunity to create a unique difference by building garden islands on the Saigon River. These islands will become natural playgrounds, offering new experiences and connecting people while reducing the natural distance between the two banks.

What benefits will Ho Chi Minh City and its residents gain?

The strong appeal of the riverbanks in the central areas of the Seine (Paris) and Thames (London) is evidence of the economic and social benefits of well-developed and connected riverbanks. For the Saigon River, constructing garden islands will not only create public spaces on the water but also serve as transition points for future pedestrian bridges, narrowing the gap between District 1 and Thu Thiem. Currently, we plan to build garden islands only in the city center because this is the core development area of the city.

Building garden islands will not only enhance the connection between the two banks but also improve the ecology, develop public parks, and balance the urbanization process. Floating garden islands can help Ho Chi Minh City gain new recognition and appreciation internationally.

Along the approximately 80 km stretch of the Saigon River, we propose dividing it into several sections, developing each based on its advantages and characteristics while preserving historical and cultural values. These ideas aim to create a significant value chain along the Saigon River corridor, highlighting the river's image, culture, and heritage.

What is the advisory group's perspective on concerns about affecting the natural flow, boat traffic, and environment?

This proposal is based on the principles of respecting natural conditions, pursuing long-term development visions, and ensuring open planning. Based on research and international experience, constructing floating garden islands on the Saigon River will positively impact nature, promoting sustainable development of the river environment. The islands will help improve nature, provide shade for areas lacking green vegetation.

If trees capable of filtering water through their roots are planted on the islands, similar to some floating gardens in lakes or rivers in Chicago (USA), they will improve water quality, provide natural protection barriers, and guide the river into narrower and quieter channels. These floating islands will not significantly alter the water flow or have negligible impact.

Another reason supporting this idea is that the garden islands will adapt to climate change and rising sea levels, fitting the conditions of Ho Chi Minh City.

How should Ho Chi Minh City implement the idea of building islands on the Saigon River to ensure effectiveness?

The challenge for Ho Chi Minh City is to smartly design these floating garden islands, placing them in locations that minimally affect boat traffic. In the future, the city will build pedestrian bridges connecting Bach Dang Wharf to Thu Thiem, along with Thu Thiem 3 Bridge connecting to District 4, so we suggest that these garden islands could connect to these bridges.

We recommend positioning the garden islands near the Thu Thiem side, where the flow is slower and the water shallower, with fewer boats compared to the District 1 side. However, authorities need to continue calculating to find the most feasible solution. Currently, this is still at the strategic development orientation stage for the river corridor, so funding, financing methods, and subsequent operational mechanisms will continue to be studied.

For more information about real estate projects in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces, please contact FTT LAND!

-----------------------------------------

FTT REAL ESTATE COMPANY

Headquarters in Vietnam: EA4-01.01 Eratown Duc Khai, Nguyen Luong Bang, Phu My Ward, District 7

Receive consignments for buying, selling and renting apartments, updating the best prices in the market

HOTILINE: +(84) 81.299.1003

┃For inquiries: 黎娟娟/Winnie - FTT Land Real Estate

┃Vietnam Hotline: (+84) 902.823.622 (viber/zalo/Whatsapp)

┃Taiwan Hotline: (+886) 906.975.509

┃ID (Line/IG/Tiktok): winniele88888

┃Wechat ID ：Winniele88888888

┃Watch more on YOUTUBE: FTT REAL ESTATE

┃Website: www.fttland.com