Ho Chi Minh City authorities have launched a pilot project to set up eleven public toilets of 4-5 star standard, each of which will be combined with an ATM booth. Three of these facilities will be made available by Tet. The HCMC People’s Committee has recently directed the Transport Department to build high-class public toilets together with ATMs on a pilot basis in the city to serve residents as well as visitors. These toilets must be equipped with advanced sanitary equipment and meet regulations on urban landscape beautification, environmental protection, wastewater treatment, lighting, and air ventilation, said Nguyen Huu Tin, deputy chairman of the committee. These toilets, each of which cover an area of 60 square meters, must operate around the clock and be erected in locations that residents can access easily. According to a plan of the Department of Transport, the eleven high-quality toilets will be set up at 23/9 Park, Tao Dan Park, and Le Van Tam Park in District 1; Gia Dinh Park in Go Vap District; Cho Lon Coach Station in District 5; and Dam Sen Coach Station in District 11. Three of these facilities will be completed by Tet holiday, which falls on January 31, 2014, the department said. Bui Xuan Cuong, deputy director of the department, said each of the toilets will cost about VND800 million (US$37,700), which will be completely funded by the banks involved. The city now has about 170 public toilets, mainly in District 1, Cuong said.