Ho Chi Minh City is expected to have a new green park inspired by the famed Central Park in New York City by the Saigon River next year, with work on the project starting Monday.

Vinhomes Central Park, developed by property conglomerate Vingroup, will be the largest riverside garden in the downtown area upon its completion in 2016, the company said in a press release.

The 14-hectare green space is located on Nguyen Huu Canh Street in Binh Thanh District, within the under-construction urban area of the same name, according to Vingroup.

Running along the Saigon River, Vinhomes Central Park combines the zen space of the Orient with the dynamic lifestyle of Central Park in New York, and will feature many different areas to meet demands for relaxing, walking, exercising or playing sports from locals of all ages.

A giant lake will be put at the heart of the park, whereas a road full of green trees will connect it with the river, a design Vingroup said will create “a natural air-conditioner” for the whole area.

The sport area of the park will include a basketball and tennis court, an outdoor playground for children, and a driving range next to the Saigon River, while there will also be an area for BBQs or parties.

The project is scheduled for completion next year.

Central Park is an urban park in the central part of the borough of Manhattan, New York City. It was initially opened in 1857 and is now the most visited urban park in the U.S., as well as one of the most filmed locations in the world, according to the park’s official website.

The US$1.5 billion Vinhomes Central Park urban area is located on a 43.91-hectare land plot which used to house the Tan Cang (New Port) seaport in Binh Thanh District.

The project includes what Vingroup said will be the most modern and deluxe villa and apartment area in Vietnam and a trade center, among other features.

The Vinhomes Central Park urban area will also boast an 81-story skyscraper, expected to be the tallest building in Vietnam.

Vingroup, chaired by the only Vietnamese on the Forbes billionaire list, Pham Nhat Vuong, has launched dozens of new projects, affirming its position as the leading realty developer in the Southeast Asian country.

The company last week inaugurated ten Vinmart+ convenience stores simultaneously in Ho Chi Minh City, and is working to open 25 new shopping malls under its flagship brands, Vincom and Vincom Mega Mall, across the country this year.

On March 12, it broke ground on the Vinmec Ha Long international general hospital in the northern province of Quang Ninh, a project estimated to cost VND1 trillion ($46.6 million).

Vingroup is also slated to enter the consumer electronics retailing sector later this month with the introduction of the VinPro and VinPro+ brands in major cities countrywide, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

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