Ho Chi Minh City residents’ wish to have a street named after legendary general Vo Nguyen Giap is likely to be realized soon as the city’s People’s Committee is garnering public opinions on the naming plan before submitting it to the city’s People’s Council.

The 7.1km street proposed to bear the general’s name runs from the Dien Bien Phu – Dinh Tien Hoang intersection in District 1 over the Saigon Bridge to Rach Chiec Bridge on Hanoi Highway.

It’s also proposed that Dien Bien Phu street will be shortened to the section that runs from Nga Bay roundabout in District 10 to Dinh Tien Hoang street to accommodate the memorial street. Hanoi Highway will also be shortened.

Earlier this month, the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism stated it will also submit a proposal to the city’s government to name a major street in the capital after the general. Quang Binh province, Gen. Giap’s hometown, will have a key street named after their hero as well.

As a general rule, a street is renamed after a person only after at least 10 years have passed since their death. However, Gen. Giap can be an exception, officials said.

Following the death of Gen. Giap early last month, locals expressed their wish for a facility named after the legendary military leader, with local residents and experts suggesting a wide variety of options.

Topping the list of suggestions is the proposal to have a Vo Nguyen Giap Museum. Other widely supported proposals are to name an international airport, a modern highway, or even a city after the country’s revered independence hero.

Vo Nguyen Giap, the first four-star general and the former commander-in-chief of the Vietnam army, died on Oct 4 at the 108 Army Hospital in Hanoi, more than a month after he celebrated his 103rd birthday.

He started his career as a history teacher before joining the army to become a legendary general who led the Vietnam Army to defeat the French and US invaders in 1954 and 1975 respectively.

His funeral, the largest in Vietnam for decades, attracted thousands of locals who queued for several hours to pay tribute to the general. People are still visiting his resting place in Quang Binh province, but some days ago his family announced the visits must cease for his 49th day death ceremony. The 49th day is the traditional time to pray for a dead person’s salvation and reincarnation in the afterlife.