Work on a pedestrian bridge which carries a price tag of over VND1 trillion (US$39.3 million) across the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to begin on April 30 next year, according to the municipal Department of Transport.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport will submit the project to the municipal government for approval this month.

In October last year, the city chose an architectural design featuring nipa palm imagery proposed by a consortium of Japanese-invested Chodai, Takashi Niwa Architects and Chodai Kiso Jiban Vietnam for the pedestrian bridge.

The design got the highest score in a contest launched in 2019.

The pedestrian bridge would be located between Ba Son Bridge and Saigon River Tunnel.

One end of the bridge would lead to Bach Dang Wharf Park in District 1 and the other end to the Thu Thiem New Urban Area in Thu Duc City.

In December 2023, dairy producer Nutifood signed an agreement to fully sponsor the development of the footbridge.

Nutifood later chose the consortium of Chodai, Takashi Niwa Architects and Chodai Kiso jiban Vietnam as the consulting unit of the project.

The consortium is experienced in architectural design, consulting, and supervision of the construction of many bridges and other projects in Vietnam and other countries, such as Tran Hung Dao Bridge, Can Tho Bridge, bridges spanning the Van and Duong Rivers in Vietnam, Iwagi Bridge in Japan, Neak Loeung Bridge in Cambodia, Gebze - Orhangazi - Izmir Expressway and Mrrmara - Odayeri - Pasakoi Road in Turkey.

The administration in Ho Chi Minh City has issued a process of four steps to execute projects sponsored by local enterprises and individuals.

The four steps include signing sponsorship agreements, seeking approval for investment plans, developing and handing over the projects, and establishing the ownership of the projects.

Thus, Nutifood is undertaking the second step. 

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