Ho Chi Minh City Greenery Parks Company Limited has cut down nine large trees on the streets around Ho Con Rua (Turtle Lake) in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3, as they are at risk of being uprooted and pose danger to road users.

Some of the trees are at the site for a subproject to upgrade sidewalks in the area, part of a broader project to upgrade Turtle Lake, but the company claimed that their removal was not related to the sidewalk renovation.

The nine trees were chopped down as per permits issued by the municipal Department of Construction and the Infrastructure Management Center.

Of the nine trees, two hopea odorata trees had rotten roots and seriously damaged trunks.

The felling of the trees is aimed at ensuring safety for local residents during the rainy season as the streets where these trees had been planted have a high traffic density.

According to the company, apart from these nine trees, a dipterocarpus alatus tree was also cut down as the sidewalk revamp was expected to affect the solidity of the tree. 

At the site of the project, there are systems of electric wires, water pipes, and cables buried about 30 centimeters underground.

Some residents voiced their concern over the impact of the area facelift on the trees there, saying that the excavation of sidewalks may directly affect the trees’ roots.

Earlier, the People’s Committee of District 3 submitted the Turtle Lake upgrade project proposal, funded by private sources, and received approval from the municipal government.

Turtle Lake, after being revamped, is expected to become a favorite destination of local residents and tourists, following the newly renovated Bach Dang Wharf in downtown District 1.

The Turtle Lake revamp project includes two subprojects: upgrading the central part of the lake which will be conducted by the city government, specifically the Ho Chi Minh City Infrastructure Management Center, and improving the sidewalks of the streets surrounding the lake, including Pham Ngoc Thach, Tran Cao Van, and Vo Van Tan Streets, which will be executed by the District 3 administration.

As designed, each street will feature a particular function, such as culture, cuisine, art performances, and outdoor exhibitions.

At first, District 3 will renovate and upgrade 3,500 square meters of sidewalks and 2,900 square meters of green spaces, while tripling the current area and bettering drainage systems.

The subproject is expected to finish on September 2 after four months of construction.

Work on the subproject to upgrade sidewalks around Turtle Lake started on April 29.

The subproject was projected to cost some VND15 billion (US$646,500), funded by Sunny World Design and Management Corporation.

There are many restaurants, bars, and coffee shops around the lake, but sidewalks in the area have deteriorated, posing dangers to pedestrians and affecting the cityscape.

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