Bạch Đằng Wharf Park in HCM City’s District 1 is being upgraded and is expected to attract more locals and tourists next year. — Photo plo.vn

HCM CITY — The HCM City People’s Committee has approved a design proposal by the Department of Planning and Architecture to upgrade the Bạch Đằng Wharf Park in District 1.

The Bạch Đằng Wharf Park on Tôn Đức Thắng Street is one of the most popular destinations for both local residents and tourists in the central city. It covers a 23,400sq.m area and stretches 1.3km along the Sài Gòn River bank.

Many items of the park, which is more than 50 years old, are degraded and have been damaged.

The detailed construction plan at a scale of 1:500 for upgrading the park was approved by the committee in 2018.

Under the department’s proposal, 18,600sq.m of the entire park will be renovated from the Thủ Ngữ Flagpole to the area adjacent to the Sài Gòn – Ba Son complex.

The total cost is estimated at VNĐ68 billion (US$2.9 million) sourced from private funding.

The park will be divided into three functional areas. There will be a 4,000sq.m memorial area and a 2,750sq.m community area.

A 5,150sq.m tourism promotion area will provide rest areas, river transport services, travel guides and support for tourists.

The committee noted that it is necessary to keep the area in front of Tôn Đức Thắng Museum well ventilated and maintain the old cannons.

It has assigned the department to work with a consultancy unit to complete the planning for the upgrade and submit it to the Department of Construction.

The upgrade is expected to be completed before Tết (Lunar New Year Festival), which falls on February 12 next year. — VNS