The One and Only Checkered Urban Planning in Ho Chi Minh City: A Neighborhood with Three Times the Population Density of District 1 and Skyrocketing Land Values for a Surprising Reason

Bàn Cờ Street, stretching approximately 460 meters, is located in Wards 2 and 3 of District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. In 1910, the city expanded westward, and the area within Nguyen Thien Thuat Street was meticulously planned. The land was divided into a grid pattern, resembling a chessboard, and allocated to residents for housing construction. Thus, the area earned the name “Khu Bàn Cờ,” translating to “Chessboard District.”

This style of urban planning is similar to that of major cities such as Barcelona, New York, and Seattle. It effectively reduces traffic congestion, particularly in the city center, by distributing vehicle flows evenly throughout the urban area. However, as a trade-off, actual travel distances can be significantly longer than the crow flies.

Currently, the population density in this area exceeds 70,000 people per square kilometer, roughly three times that of District 1 and almost double that of District 3 on average. Being a crossroads of central districts, the streets of Bàn Cờ are usually bustling with activity. Nevertheless, the chessboard-like layout successfully prevents severe traffic jams in the area.

Scattered along the large and small alleys of Bàn Cờ are longstanding and renowned eateries, including Phở Nghi Xuân, Phở Tàu Thủy, Bánh Mì Hà Nội, Bánh Mì Hòa Mã, and Cà Phê Cheo Leo.

The district is also home to churches and temples, notably the Tam Tông Miếu on Cao Thắng Street and Kỳ Viên Tự on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street. Residents of Bàn Cờ further benefit from convenient access to four prominent hospitals in the vicinity: Từ Dũ, Bình Dân, Nhi Đồng, and the Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital.

According to Batdongsan’s survey, the average land and property price in the Bàn Cờ area of District 3 is 202.2 million VND per square meter, reflecting a roughly 3.5% increase over the past two years.

Real estate broker Văn Thanh attributes the high property values in this area to its wide and airy alleys that accommodate car access, as well as its proximity to essential amenities like markets, hospitals, and schools.

What sets this area apart is its vibrant business atmosphere, buzzing with activity around the clock, and its convenient connections to central districts, offering high profitability and ease in daily life. These advantages have attracted both long-term residents and investors seeking to benefit from potential rental income or future price appreciation.

According to Văn Thanh, real estate transactions in the Bàn Cờ area are relatively active. Buyers include those seeking a permanent residence and investors looking to profit from future price increases or rentals, with average monthly rents exceeding 20 million VND, depending on location and furnishings.