Saigon Ward strives to become the most modern urban area

Saigon Ward was established on July 1, on the basis of merging the entire Ben Nghe Ward and part of Da Kao and Nguyen Thai Binh Wards, with an area of 3.04 km² and a population of more than 47,000 people.

Saigon Ward is the core area of Ho Chi Minh City, where many important administrative headquarters, modern high-rise buildings and the busiest commercial centers are located on Nguyen Hue, Dong Khoi, Le Loi, Le Duan, Ham Nghi, Ton Duc Thang streets...

It is home to many historical relics, architectural works, headquarters of agencies, units, museums, and typical works such as the headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the City Theater, the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office , Nguyen Hue walking street, Notre Dame Cathedral... associated with the hundred-year development journey of the land of Saigon - Gia Dinh - Cho Lon.

As the administrative center of Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Ward stands out with its vibrant economic and social life, gathering over 9,980 enterprises and 3,950 business households, mainly in the fields of trade, services, finance, logistics and high-end tourism.

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The headquarters of the Party Committee - People's Council - People's Committee of Saigon Ward reuses the headquarters of the People's Committee of District 1, built in 1876, and after nearly 150 years, it still retains its original architectural features. This headquarters was ranked as an architectural and artistic relic by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City at the end of 2024.

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Before the merger, the area was famous for its bustling streets, 5-star hotels, class A buildings and expensive street-front houses. After the merger, the new administrative unit continues to inherit the solid economic foundation and top real estate values in Ho Chi Minh City.

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Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a vivid picture of architecture, landscape and art, with shiny marble pavements, bustling shopping and entertainment spaces. This is both a symbol of prosperity and cultural development, and one of the most modern and expensive streets in Ho Chi Minh City.

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Notre Dame Cathedral and Ho Chi Minh City Post Office - two architectural works over a hundred years old, typical symbols of Saigon, blending classical beauty with historical and urban cultural imprints.

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Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, inaugurated in 1880, is a 140-year-old structure built by the French entirely from materials imported from Europe. The two nearly 58-meter-high bell towers rising in the city center, along with the statue of Our Lady of Peace in front, have become familiar symbols, associated with many generations of Saigon people and are a must-see destination for tourists.

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Not only a tourist destination, this place is also a religious living space for tens of thousands of Catholics, closely associated with the spiritual life of many generations of Saigon people.

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The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee headquarters building, over 100 years old, was designed by French architect Femand Gardès. Formerly known as Dinh Xa Tay, Saigon City Hall, the building was ranked as a national architectural and artistic monument in 2020.

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The City Theater, built in the late 19th century in the ancient French style with elaborate carvings and reliefs, still stands tall at the Dong Khoi - Le Loi intersection, becoming a special highlight of the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

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People's lives here are increasingly improving, reflected in new urban areas, modern road systems, parks and large-scale investment in public utilities.

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The increasingly civilized and modern urban appearance has become a highlight attracting tourists to Ho Chi Minh City. From spacious streets, green parks to bustling urban areas and a synchronous public utility system, all bring visitors a vivid experience of a youthful, dynamic and hospitable city.

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The landscape of Bach Dang Wharf, Saigon Ward (formerly District 1) has changed significantly compared to before. In 2022, this area was renovated on an area of over 8,000 m2 with a total cost of up to 26 billion VND. Renovation items include paving granite, building walkways, expanding green areas and installing automatic lighting and irrigation systems.

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After more than half a century, the central area along the Saigon River has changed with a series of high-rise buildings, notably the 68-storey Bitexco building, inaugurated in 2010, which held the record for the tallest building for many years and became a symbol of development in Ho Chi Minh City.

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According to the land price list of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee applied from the end of October 2024, Nguyen Hue, Le Loi and Dong Khoi streets are the 3 streets with the highest prices in the whole city, up to more than 687 million VND/m2.

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Building No. 8 Vo Van Kiet, built from 1929 - 1930, used to be the Bank of Indochina and then the National Bank of Vietnam. After 1976, this place became the headquarters of the State Bank of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City branch.

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At the first Party Congress of Saigon Ward on the morning of August 19, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc emphasized that Saigon Ward is the central core, inheriting the 327-year history of the land, positioned as the financial capital and high-end commercial services of Ho Chi Minh City.

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Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc suggested that in the coming time, Saigon ward should promote the local advantages associated with the development orientation of "3 corridors" and "5 pillars" of Ho Chi Minh City. Accordingly, the ward needs to develop trade and services with an international financial center, promote high-quality human resources in many fields.

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As part of a series of projects selected to hold an inauguration ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), the Marina Central Tower project officially has a new name: Saigon Marina International Financial Center - Saigon Marina IFC

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Saigon Ward strives to become a smart, modern, and high-quality urban area by 2030. The traffic infrastructure in Saigon Ward is increasingly being renovated and synchronized, with spacious roads, airy sidewalks, modern lighting systems, and shady trees.

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With initial efforts, the new Saigon ward is gradually affirming its position as a dynamic urban area, aiming to become an important economic - cultural - service center of Ho Chi Minh City.

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