Thủ Thiêm New Urban Area

Thủ Thiêm is situated on a point bar of the Saigon River, which also references as Thủ Thiêm Peninsula, in the municipal division known as Thủ Đức. On the opposite bank of the river are the area of former Bình Thạnh District, District 1—Ho Chi Minh City's historic central business district—District 4 and District 7. It includes some wards of Thủ Đức: Thủ Thiêm, An Lợi Đông and a part of An Khánh (now is all An Khánh, Ho Chi Minh City).

Before its clearance for redevelopment, Thủ Thiêm was one of the most densely settled areas of Ho Chi Minh City and included a central market established in 1751, around the Saigon riverside area.^[2][3] Beginning in 2002 and continuing for almost a decade, between 14,000 and 15,000 households were removed from the development site and resettled.^[4][5]

Master planning for the site began in 1998, anticipating the completion of several bridges and tunnels that would connect District 2 to Ho Chi Minh City's central business district across the river.^[5] In 2003, Sasaki Associates won an international design competition to plan the site.^[5]

The project is being carried out in stages, and is scheduled to be completed in 15 years, depending on the investment capital. Priority is given to the infrastructure investors with favorable assistance for the city government as well as preferential taxation.

Many local residents protested against relocations.^[6]

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  Thủ Thiêm Bridge, the first bridge connects Saigon river west bank to Thủ Thiêm, completed in 2008
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  The recently opened Ba Son Bridge connects Thủ Thiêm new urban area with District 1's downtown

The urban area covers an area of 7 square kilometres and consists of several sections: residences, pools, parks and office sections. Almost all buildings here are to be of 10 to 40-story. Once completed, this new urban area will be the city's new center along with the historic center District 1. This new urban area is connected with the existing downtown with 5 bridges tally, including finished Thủ Thiêm Bridge (connect to Bình Thạnh district), Ba Son Bridge (connect to District 1; both are completed), Saigon River Pedestrian Bridge (connect to Mê Linh Square, District 1; under construction), Thu Thiem 3 Bridge (connect to District 4), Thu Thiem 4 Bridge (connect to District 7; both are planned) and a completed 6-lane underwater tunnel.

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  Bùi Thiện Ngộ Street in Thủ Thiêm new urban area
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  Saigon River Tunnel, view from Thủ Thiêm to District 1