Ho Chi Minh City has unveiled a large-scale redevelopment plan to transform the entire waterfront zone along the Saigon River that runs through the city\u2019s heart. The target area covers about 73.3 hectares of waterfront and water surface, including the Bach Dang Wharf that\u2019s familiar to tourists. The total project cost reaches about 29.32 trillion dong (about US$1.1 billion; at roughly 158 yen to the dollar as of June 2026, about 174 billion yen). Under the concept, the road running along the riverbank is put underground, while a river park and cultural facilities spread out at ground level. Construction is set to begin in Q3 2026, with completion expected in Q2 2029. This plan, which will reshape over four years the waterfront that is the gateway to Saigon sightseeing, is directly relevant to Japanese travelers who walk along the river or ride the water bus.<\/p>\n
The core of the plan is a swap of ideas: put space for cars underground and space for people at ground level. Part of the section of Ton Duc Thang Street that runs in front of Bach Dang Wharf will be put underground, and commercial facilities and parking will be housed in that underground space. In the space freed up at ground level, a promenade with greenery spreads out, and the piers for the water bus and sightseeing cruises will be redeveloped.<\/p>\n
The redevelopment area is broadly divided into two. One is the downstream Nha Rong\u2013Khanh Hoi district, where a riverside cultural park, an exhibition and event space renovated from the former Saigon Port headquarters, and a museum facility recreating a historic ship are planned. The other is the central Bach Dang Wharf, which will be remade\u2014centered on greenery and an expanded embankment\u2014into a waterfront where people can linger. Ben Nha Rong Tourist Service Company has stepped forward as the investing entity.<\/p>\n
Bach Dang Wharf is a classic Saigon sightseeing spot within walking distance of Ben Thanh Market, the Saigon Cathedral, and the Opera House. A statue of the 13th-century hero Tran Hung Dao overlooks the river, and an old flagpole built by the French in 1865 also remains. At dusk, Landmark 81 and Bitexco Tower on the opposite bank reflect on the water, and it bustles with people watching the sunset, coffee in hand, at riverside caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, this area has long drawn complaints that it\u2019s split by roadway and hard to walk out to the water\u2019s edge. Behind the city\u2019s move to redevelop lies an absolute shortage of green space. By figures the city presented, park area per resident is a mere 0.7 square meters or so. It\u2019s a strikingly low level even compared with the world\u2019s major cities, meaning residents can\u2019t sufficiently enjoy the river, the city\u2019s greatest asset. This plan can be called an attempt to change this waterfront from a \u201cplace to pass through\u201d into a \u201cplace to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a summary of the figures that could be confirmed in the main sources. Items that couldn\u2019t be confirmed are not listed.<\/p>\n