Anticipation Builds as Ho Chi Minh City’s Most Congested Roadway Prepares for Expansion

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction has submitted a proposal to the City People’s Committee for the investment in upgrading and expanding Nguyen Tat Thanh Road and constructing the new Tan Thuan 1 Bridge.

With an estimated investment of nearly VND 3 trillion, the project aims to alleviate severe congestion on this vital artery, connecting the city center with the southern districts.

Expanding the Road That Haunts HCMC Residents

According to the proposal by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, the expansion of Nguyen Tat Thanh Road will cover over 2.5 km, from Khanh Hoi Bridge to Tan Thuan Bridge, increasing the lanes from the current 4 to 6–8.

Alongside the construction of an underpass at Hoang Dieu Intersection (with at least 4 lanes), the city plans to build a new Tan Thuan 1 Bridge to replace the over 120-year-old bridge, which is deteriorating and unable to meet traffic demands.

The Department of Construction has requested the Department of Finance to allocate funds for the preparatory phase and has tasked the Department of Planning and Architecture with organizing an architectural design competition. This ensures harmony with the Saigon River waterfront and the Ben Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi area, slated to become Ho Chi Minh City’s future cultural park and space.

Experts consider this one of the most critical infrastructure projects for the 2025–2030 period, vital for connecting the city center with the rapidly developing southern districts, home to numerous urban and industrial projects.

Nguyen Tat Thanh Road, over 2 km long, runs along the Saigon River, linking the city center with former District 7 and Nha Be. Daily, it bears a massive volume of traffic, particularly trucks and containers accessing Khanh Hoi Port and the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone.

During peak hours, vehicles stretch from Khanh Hoi Bridge to Tan Thuan Bridge. Commuters, students, and local businesses endure gridlock, noise, pollution, and prolonged travel times.

“I’ve commuted on this road for over 6 years, facing daily congestion. Hearing about the expansion is truly uplifting. I eagerly await the project’s implementation,” shared Ms. Nguyen Thu Thanh, a resident of Saigon Ward.

Mr. Le Tien, a resident near Ward 18, expressed that locals have awaited this project for years, urging the city to “expedite it as much as possible.”

Not only Xom Chieu Ward residents but also those in the southern districts and former Nha Be eagerly anticipate the project’s commencement, hoping to end their daily traffic woes. Many believe the expansion will also enhance the Saigon River waterfront’s aesthetic.

A Vision for One of HCMC’s Most Modern Roads

Established before 1975, Nguyen Tat Thanh Road is tied to the trading activities of Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi Port, from which President Ho Chi Minh embarked on his journey abroad in 1911. Post-unification, the road was named Nguyen Tat Thanh in his honor.

With the establishment of the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone and the southern districts’ growth, Nguyen Tat Thanh Road became a strategic traffic axis. However, its narrow width, deteriorating infrastructure, and surging traffic volumes led to severe overloading.

Despite a 1992 renovation, the minor upgrade provided only temporary relief. In recent years, Nguyen Tat Thanh Road has consistently ranked among HCMC’s most congested routes.

Traffic planning experts advocate for simultaneous road upgrades and riverside improvements, creating a scenic corridor linking the old city center with the new southern districts. With thoughtful design, Nguyen Tat Thanh Road could become one of HCMC’s most beautiful and modern thoroughfares.

Mr. Huynh Thai Tuan, a resident of former District 7 and construction industry professional, agreed: “Expanding Nguyen Tat Thanh Road and converting most of the Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi Port into a park is highly sensible. Ideally, the city should develop a riverside park from Khanh Hoi Bridge to Tan Thuan Bridge.”

According to Mr. Tuan, blending modern transportation with riverside public spaces will offer residents recreational areas while elevating urban aesthetics, transforming this zone into the city’s new “façade.”

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction is collaborating with relevant agencies to finalize the proposal for the City People’s Committee’s approval. Once approved, the project will proceed with detailed design, land clearance, and construction planning.

Residents hope for a transparent process with a clear timeline and minimal disruption to local life. “Just witnessing the gridlock on Tan Thuan Bridge during rush hour underscores the city’s urgent need to act. Anyone who’s been here understands—every meter of expanded road brings joy to residents,” shared Mr. Tran Van Dung of Nha Be Commune.

Experts predict that the upgraded Nguyen Tat Thanh Road will not only relieve traffic congestion but also serve as a vital link between central HCMC and the southern districts, fostering economic and social development. It will catalyze urban, service, and tourism projects along the Saigon River.

After years of anticipation, HCMC residents believe this road, steeped in history and memory, will soon be transformed—spacious, congestion-free, and emblematic of urban renewal efforts toward a modern, civilized city.