Following the successful revival of the Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè, Tân Hoá – Lò Gốm, and Bến Nghé – Tàu Hủ canals, Ho Chi Minh City has embarked on a series of large-scale canal dredging projects as part of its ongoing urban renewal and environmental improvement efforts.
Scheduled Projects:
Tham Lương – Bến Cát – Rạch Nước Lên Canal Infrastructure and Environmental Improvement Project
With a budget of over VND 8,200 billion, this project is currently underway in districts 12, Bình Tân, Tân Phú, Tân Bình, Gò Vấp, Bình Thạnh, and Bình Chánh. It is expected that by 2025, this project will have transformed the urban landscape of an area spanning 14,900 hectares.
The construction of infrastructure and environmental improvement along the Tham Lương – Bến Cát – Rạch Nước Lên canal in Bình Tân district. Photo: Tuấn Kiệt |
The project encompasses a range of components, including the construction of 63km of canal embankments, dredging 31km of canals, building roads along both banks, implementing drainage systems, installing lighting, and enhancing the landscape along the route. The primary objectives are to improve the urban landscape, enhance the environment, and boost transportation capacity along the North-South axis of Ho Chi Minh City.
Additionally, Ho Chi Minh City is prioritizing the implementation of several other canal and environmental improvement projects. These include the Xuyên Tâm Canal Improvement Project in Bình Thạnh and Gò Vấp districts, the Văn Thánh Canal Dredging Project in Bình Thạnh district, the Environmental Improvement Project along the North Bank of Kênh Đôi Canal in District 8, the Tẻ Canal Infrastructure and Environmental Improvement Project in District 4, and the Hy Vọng Canal Improvement Project in Tân Bình district.
Dilapidated houses along the Xuyên Tâm Canal in Bình Thạnh district. Photo: Nguyễn Huế |
Xuyên Tâm Canal Improvement Project
Ho Chi Minh City has allocated more than VND 9,600 billion for the improvement of the Xuyên Tâm Canal, which spans nearly 6.7km in Bình Thạnh and Gò Vấp districts, including three branches measuring over 2.2km in length.
The project entails dredging the canal to a depth of 3.5m and a width of 20-30m, along with the installation of a comprehensive rainwater and wastewater collection system. Additionally, roads with two lanes in each direction and sidewalks ranging from 3-4m in width will be constructed on both banks, complemented by parks, green spaces, and lighting systems.
The total investment for this project is estimated at over VND 9,664 billion, including a compensation budget of more than VND 6,371 billion.
To facilitate the project, Gò Vấp district will relocate 137 households, reclaiming nearly 25,000 square meters of land, with compensation costs exceeding VND 354 billion. Meanwhile, Bình Thạnh district will compensate over VND 6,000 billion for 2,122 affected households, including 1,273 households requiring complete relocation.
The project is slated to commence construction by the end of this year and is expected to be completed by 2028.
“Slum” areas along Kênh Đôi Canal in District 8. Photo: Nguyễn Huế |
Nạo vét, Infrastructure Construction, and Environmental Improvement Project along the North Bank of Kênh Đôi Canal
This project, with a total investment of nearly VND 5,000 billion, is being carried out in District 8. In April 2023, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee approved the proposal to include this project in the list of public investment projects for the 2021-2025 period.
The construction scope includes approximately 4.3km of embankments, partial dredging of the Kênh Đôi Canal on the north bank, expansion of Hoài Thanh and Nguyễn Duy roads to 20m in width, and construction of a new 16m wide Nguyễn Duy road with the addition of the Hiệp Ân 2 bridge.
A total of 1,571 households will be affected by the project in District 8, requiring the reclamation of more than 5.5 hectares of land. Among these, 1,005 households will need to be completely relocated, and the estimated compensation cost is approximately VND 3,500 billion.
The project is scheduled to commence in December 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2028.
 Garbage-laden canals contribute to environmental pollution and detract from the urban aesthetic. Photo: Nguyễn Huế |
Projects Awaiting Procedures:
Recently, the Department of Construction proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee direct relevant departments to expedite the completion of investment procedures for three additional projects: the Hy Vọng Canal Improvement Project, the Văn Thánh Canal Improvement Project, and the Tẻ Canal Environmental Improvement Project. These projects involve the relocation of nearly 2,000 households, with a total compensation cost of approximately VND 8,600 billion.
Over 1,000 temporary houses along the Văn Thánh Canal await relocation to make way for urban renewal. Photo: Nguyễn Huế
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The Văn Thánh Canal, part of the Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè canal system, stretches from Điện Biên Phủ Bridge to the intersection with the Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè Canal, with a total length of about 1.5km. Years of sedimentation and encroachment have led to severe pollution and reduced water drainage and waterway transportation capacity.
The planned improvement project for the Văn Thánh Canal involves the relocation of 1,063 households, with a total compensation cost of approximately VND 4,921 billion. The project includes canal dredging and the construction of roads on both banks, aiming to enhance the environment, improve water flow, and boost connectivity.
Currently, the investment preparation procedures for this project are being carried out by the Department of Planning and Investment.
The Tẻ Canal, a 4.4km long man-made canal connecting the Sài Gòn River to the intersection with the Bến Nghé, Tàu Hủ, and Đôi Canals, is also slated for improvement. The Tẻ Canal Infrastructure and Environmental Improvement Project will involve the relocation of 741 households, with a total compensation cost of approximately VND 2,089 billion. The investment preparation procedures for this project are also in progress.
The Hy Vọng Canal in Tân Bình district, responsible for drainage for the entire area west and north of Tân Sơn Nhất Airport, is facing significant pollution issues due to residential construction along the canal, which has reduced its drainage capacity. The planned improvement project for the Hy Vọng Canal will cover a 1.1km section from Phạm Văn Bạch Street to the intersection with the Tham Lương Canal.
To execute this project, 179 households will need to be relocated, with a compensation cost of approximately VND 1,595 billion. The project includes the installation of 55 drainage pits, construction of drainage systems along the banks, and the addition of nine new culverts and bridges. Along the banks, a 6m wide road will be built, accompanied by sidewalks, a lighting system, and railings.
The Department of Planning and Investment is currently evaluating the feasibility report for this project.
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