A consortium in Ho Chi Minh City has proposed developing Thu Thiem Cinema Park along the Saigon River bank, envisioning it as a landmark cultural, tourism, and commercial destination for the city.

The project was introduced by a consortium comprising Thu Duc Marine Joint Stock Company and Scene Plus Architecture Co., Ltd. during a seminar on urban planning and development along the Saigon and Dong Nai Rivers. 

The event, hosted by the municipal Department of Construction on Wednesday, focused on urban transformation along the city's key waterways.

According to the proposal, the park will be located along the Saigon River bank, stretching from Thu Thiem tunnel to Can Bridge in Thu Thiem Ward, Thu Duc City, a district-level administrative unit of Ho Chi Minh City.

Covering about five hectares, it will include multiple zones, such as a film studio and cinematic experience area, a film exhibition and museum, an entertainment park with film-themed activities, and a commercial and service hub.

The project will also feature an event and film festival stage, a marina, and a cinema complex.

The consortium plans to implement the project in three phases, according to VnExpress. 

The first phase, expected to take two to three years, will focus on core infrastructure, including the film studio, museum, and yacht exhibition center.

The second phase will expand entertainment offerings and enhance event spaces, while the final phase will introduce additional tourism and recreational services.

Once completed, the park will feature an open film studio that replicates the architectural and cultural landscape of early 20th-century Saigon – the former name of Ho Chi Minh City before 1975.

This setting aims to preserve and promote the city’s urban heritage while serving as a hub for film production and cultural tourism.

The Thu Thiem riverside lies directly opposite Bach Dang Wharf Park and Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, across the Saigon River, forming a crucial part of the city’s central area.

In anticipation of future development, Thu Duc City authorities, in late 2023, mobilized private funding to renovate and open public spaces from the Thu Thiem Tunnel to Ba Son Bridge.

Since then, this section has become a popular gathering place for residents and tourists, particularly in the evenings and on weekends.

Therefore, the Thu Thiem Cinema Park project, if implemented, will help enhance the Saigon riverbank, create a new tourism attraction, and elevate the urban landscape value of the city's downtown area, according to the project’s proposers.

Nguyen Tran Huu Thang, CEO of Thu Duc Marine Joint Stock Company, emphasized the park’s strategic location at the gateway to downtown Ho Chi Minh City. 

“The future park’s accessibility by both land and water transport makes it a prime site for tourism and cultural investment. With numerous museums and cultural sites nearby, the area offers significant potential to visitors,” VnExpress cited Thang as saying.

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