Research to conserve and develop the value and potential of the Saigon River
“Researching to conserve and develop the value and potential of the Saigon River in the general planning of Ho Chi Minh City and Thu Duc City is very significant in the coming time.” This is the general opinion of experts at the seminar “Developing the space and functions along the Saigon River based on the experience of France with the Seine River.” The event was organized by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the Department of Planning and Architecture, together with the consulting consortium of the Vietnam Global Science and Expertise Organization (AVSE Global) and the Paris Regional Planning Institute.
Saigon River is the center of planning
Speaking at the seminar, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai stated that the city is urgently implementing three important planning projects, including the 2021-2030 Vision 2050 Ho Chi Minh City Plan, reviewing and adjusting the general planning of Ho Chi Minh City by 2040 and vision to 2060, and establishing the general planning of Thu Duc City within the same period as the general planning of Ho Chi Minh City. These are three crucial plans for the development of the city in the future.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai speaking – Photo: Ha Khanh
The city considers the planning of the Saigon River as the center, the highlight of this review and planning process. Therefore, the city will listen to opinions and suggestions for the general planning project. In addition, the city is also seeking approaches and proposals to implement the strategies and development plans for the Saigon River and applying specific mechanisms to implement them in the future. The conservation of the heritage values of the Saigon River, in conjunction with the urban area of Ho Chi Minh City, and the promotion of these values with Ho Chi Minh City as a major center, not only of Vietnam but also of the region and the world, are also important tasks.
“We must conserve and develop the values of the Saigon River in the context of the city facing many impacts and challenges of climate change. How can the city preserve and promote the natural and cultural values while reasonably exploiting them in the development process?” Mr. Mai asked.
Water resources are the driving force behind Ho Chi Minh City’s development
At the seminar, representatives of research groups emphasized that the Saigon River has a high mission, being the flow that transforms Ho Chi Minh City. The Saigon River corridor, with 5 unique characteristics, is the spiritual and natural backbone of Ho Chi Minh City.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Thuc, National University of Hanoi – Photo: Ha Khanh
They are the unique historical value of Vietnam, represented by the Nha Rong Harbor, where President Ho Chi Minh departed to seek salvation for the country; the soul of the rivers connecting the emotions of the southern region; the physical border connecting the provinces of Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, and Binh Duong; a unique asset with a world-class diverse biological ecosystem. At the same time, the Saigon River is also a flood challenge, making Ho Chi Minh City one of the most severely affected areas.
Experts emphasize that the economic potential along the Saigon River includes local service economy, activities such as waterway tourism, culture, and entertainment, nighttime economy; leading regional service economy such as commercial, business, and logistics services; green and digital economy oriented towards the future with digital solutions to increase efficiency and optimize resources. Therefore, if the importance of the river in the city’s development is correctly assessed, it will be the key to unlocking development opportunities in the next 30 years.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Thuc from the National University of Hanoi analyzed that connecting the Saigon – Dong Nai corridor with Can Gio Bay to establish a breakthrough action strategy, making water an essential resource for development, is one of the city’s three driving forces to “take off” together with regional connectivity, breakthroughs in the marine economy, and action strategy, participating in global value chains. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Thuc, Ho Chi Minh City must connect the river and the sea to make water and waterway cities a driving force for development.
“If we do not think about the strategy of connecting rivers and seas, the marine economy and waterway economy, Ho Chi Minh City will lose in development in the 21st century. Modern opportunities are limited, but Ho Chi Minh City already has a harbor and a Hong Kong-type city, a satellite port, and urban service ecosystem after the Singapore model,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Thuc pointed out the advantage.
Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong speaking – Photo: Ha Khanh
In conclusion, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said that, based on the opinions of experts and scientists, Ho Chi Minh City will acknowledge and respond appropriately to the Saigon River in the coming time. These are important recommendations for consulting units to incorporate into the three important planning projects that the city is working on.
