Thousands of residents and visitors gathered along the Saigon riverside at Thu Thiem to welcome the new year, a clear sign of how much the area has changed since plans were first drawn three decades ago. Once marsh and scrubland, the riverside strip now offers a wide green park, modern public facilities and a growing roster of cultural events that attract crowds throughout the year.
Thu Thiem urban development reshapes riverside and infrastructure
The riverside park has become the focal point of the transformation. Lawns and seasonal flowerbeds are carefully maintained, broad promenades invite walkers and joggers, and outdoor event spaces are equipped to host concerts, festivals and civic celebrations. New lighting knit the park together with the Ba Son bridge and neighbouring high-rises, creating a lively night-time scene that integrates historical sites such as An Khanh communal house and the local parish church.
Voices from the ground underline the change. A student from the Central Highlands, visiting for the first time, said she was surprised by how open and attractive the riverfront feels. She and friends often come to watch the sunset, take photographs and attend music events that run through public holidays. A long-time resident recalled a very different landscape before redevelopment: narrow dirt tracks, marshy ground and little activity after dark. He now enjoys evening walks among crowds and said the area ‘‘feels alive’’ rather than empty.
Infrastructure has been central to Thu Thiems recent rise. The Thu Thiem tunnel, opened in 2011 and described as one of the regions most advanced river crossings, links Võ Văn Kiệt Avenue to Mai Chí Thọ and has improved access between the central business district and the new urban zone. Authorities are also progressing with pedestrian bridges, a planned exhibition and architecture centre, and new metro lines that will further integrate Thu Thiem with the wider city.
Beyond parks and transport, local and municipal leaders are pushing to establish Thu Thiem as a financial and administrative heart. Plans for an international financial centre, a consolidated municipal administrative complex and a central square are moving forward, with related projects prioritised in the citys schedule through 2030. Officials say these developments will not only provide office and residential capacity for tens of thousands of households but also strengthen Ho Chi Minh Citys position as a regional economic hub.
Work continues across the district. While some construction sites remain, the overall impression is of a place moving from raw land to an integrated urban quarter. Careful landscaping, public lighting and event programming have helped open the area to daily use. City planners have also emphasised balancing modern growth with conservation of local culture and heritage when possible.
Municipal targets are ambitious. Completing the core projects for Thu Thiem and bringing the international financial centre into operation are central aims for the 20252030 term. Achieving these milestones will contribute directly to the broader goal set by the citys leadership: positioning Ho Chi Minh City among the top 100 most liveable global cities by 2030.
For now, Thu Thiems riverfront is a visible example of long-term urban planning yielding public benefit. The space offers daily recreation for residents and an appealing destination for visitors, while the pipeline of infrastructure and commercial projects promises further change in the years ahead.
Key Takeaways:
- Thu Thiem urban development has transformed former marshland into a modern riverside park and public events space.
- Key infrastructure — including the Thu Thiem tunnel, planned metro lines and a proposed international financial centre — is reshaping the district.
- Residents and students praise improved green spaces, lighting and cultural programming that have made the area a popular destination.
- City authorities aim to complete major projects and position Ho Chi Minh City among the top 100 most livable cities by 2030.
