Reading the recent decision by Ho Chi Minh City to transform Nha Rong Wharf into a public park fills me with a sense of hope. This isn’t just another development project; it’s a rare and profound opportunity to shape the city’s identity for the next century and beyond. The shift from a plan dominated by high‑rises to one dedicating 60% of the space to green areas and water is a visionary leap. It acknowledges that a city’s true wealth lies not just in its buildings, but in its shared spaces and its connection to nature — in this case, the Saigon River.
But to make this a true 100‑year legacy, we must think bigger. My personal vision expands on the park idea, integrating it with the city’s future needs through a strategic lens.
The Nha Rong Wharf project, as reported by VnExpress, is already ambitious. The Party Committee has instructed relevant agencies to complete all legal procedures to ensure the project proceeds on schedule. The 32‑hectare site sits along the Saigon River, just a few hundred meters from Nguyen Hue walking street and Bach Dang Wharf. The nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum — previously Nha Rong Wharf, from where Nguyen Tat Thanh (later President Ho Chi Minh) left Saigon in 1911 — will be expanded as part of the work.
In 2016, the city had approved a proposal for a mixed‑use complex with a commercial center, more than 3,100 apartments, a school, and a medical facility. Under that plan, just over 4% of the land was designated for public park. But last year, the Standing Committee pulled the plug and decided to convert the entire area into a public park. Now 60% will be earmarked for green space and water bodies, and 20% for public facilities and an international port.
Let’s consider the Ho Chi Minh City of 2126 — a metropolis of perhaps 30 million people, grappling with the compounded challenges of centuries of growth. A 100‑year vision for the Nha Rong site must be built on a clear understanding of the city’s future strategic position.
| Aspect | Projection for 2126 |
|---|---|
| Population | 25–30 million (metro area) |
| Daily visitors to riverfront | 150,000 – 200,000 |
| Annual international travellers | 25–30 million |
| Metro lines serving district | 4–5 lines |
| High‑speed rail connections | Can Tho, Binh Duong, Vung Tau, Phan Thiet |
For Saigon to thrive in 2126, we must think in layers. The surface layer is for the soul: a historical, green, and civic space for people to connect with the river and their past. The underground layer is for the city’s pulse: managing commerce, transport, and the influx of travellers and residents in a climate‑smart way.
This vision transforms a single park into a 100‑year strategic asset. It addresses the coming pressures of population, traffic, and traveller volume by going under them, not just building barriers against them. It’s an investment not just in a place, but in the city’s enduring liveability and global standing. The decision to prioritize public space is the crucial first step. Now, we must ensure its foundation is deep enough — literally and figuratively — to support the Saigon of the next century.
Source: VnExpress International, “HCMC to start turning Nha Rong Wharf into public park on National Day” (February 28, 2026). View the original article here.