Urban developers and policymakers have long been thinking about a development strategy for Thu Thiem peninsula. Part 1: The dawn of the Thu Thiem Ferry Part 2: Generations of Thu Thiem Ferry Part 3: Bidding farewell to Thu Thiem Ferry In 1911, though just a small quay in its days, it was marked on the "Environs de Saigon" (or Outskirts of Saigon) map of the city by French administrators. Two decades later, when the Thu Thiem area was still a wild place, dotted with the occasional presence of simply built huts, a paved road running from the pier along Luong Dinh Cua Street was wide enough for cars to travel, allowing Saigonese to travel to the surrounding towns, like Vung Tau and Bien Hoa, on the shortest route. The incipient idea of constructing a new urban area on the other side of Saigon River, opposite District 1, took shape in 1968 when the Vietnamese International Development Organization (under the Southern administration of the Republic of Vietnam) first conducted … [Read more...] about Bidding farewell to Thu Thiem Ferry
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Generations of Thu Thiem Ferry
Between the maiden generation of ferries rowed by oars before the1940s and the service’s termination last month after the opening of the Thu Thiem Tunnel, the Thu Thiem Ferry went through three stages of technical developments. The egg-shaped ferry built by Caric almost 50 years ago to transport passengers crossing the Saigon River Photo: Tuoi Tre Part 1: The dawn of the Thu Thiem Ferry Part 2: Generations of Thu Thiem Ferry Part 3: The first generation of authentic ferries propelled by a motor was only put into use in 1930, and it was also the first one that could carry cars, said Ngo Van Chon, alias Nam Bec. Now 88 years old, he is the oldest living pilot of the Thu Thiem Ferry. The most memorable detail of the ferry was the rotary platform for cars built on the pier. To cross the river with the ferry, cars parked on the platform, and ferry staff would manually spin the rotary so that cars reversed onto the ferry and could then drive … [Read more...] about Generations of Thu Thiem Ferry
The dawn of the Thu Thiem Ferry
The Thu Thiem Ferry, which was a milestone in the development of the city, will never be erased from the nostalgia of many Saigonese. Part 1: The dawn of the Thu Thiem Ferry Part 2: Generations of Thu Thiem Ferry Part 3: The ferry officially halted its operations on November 20 -- the date the Thu Thiem Tunnel running below the Saigon River bed was opened for traffic. Though the ferry has ended its service, it will carry on in the mind of every Saigonese who used the boat to commute to and from the Thu Thiem peninsula. The Thu Thiem Ferry at its beginning How long has the Thu Thiem Ferry been in service in Ho Chi Minh City, whose former name is Saigon? It began its operation in its latest incarnation sometime after the Southern Revolution in 1945. However, this was only when large ferries were put in use to transport cars and bikes, in addition to people. Its two piers on the banks of the river had already been around for centuries. Thu Thiem Ferry vice director Nguyen Cong … [Read more...] about The dawn of the Thu Thiem Ferry
Thu Thiem out of land for residential projects
The opening of Thu Thiem Tunnel and the East-West Highway to traffic has helped facilitate development of Thu Thiem new urban area, which covers 657 hectares to accommodate around 110,000 to 120,000 people. The Saigon Times Daily had a talk with Trang Bao Son, deputy head of the Investment and Construction Authority of Thu Thiem New Urban Area, over investment attraction in the area. Excerpts: The Saigon Times Daily: Can you tell us about the investment situation at the new urban area? - Trang Bao Son: The opening of the Thu Thiem Tunnel and the East-West Highway to traffic has a great impact on property projects at Thu Thiem new urban area. Local authorities have appointed contractors for two projects next to the highway, a multifunctional tower and a low-rise residential project in southern An Loi Dong ward, or the residential project no. 2. We are also preparing for international bidding for the neighboring residential project no. 3. There are seven bidding applications for … [Read more...] about Thu Thiem out of land for residential projects
Thu Thiem Tunnel opens for traffic
Ho Chi Minh City holds a ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Thu Thiem Tunnel and the 22 km East-West highway at 2 pm this afternoon (Nov 20), attended by thousands of citizens and high ranking dignitaries. State President Truong Tan Sang, Former PM Phan Van Khai , Vice PM Hoang Trung Hai, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam were among the guest at the ceremony. The ceremony was broadcasted live on HCMC televison. Thu Thiem Tunnel and the entire East-West highway will be officially open to traffic from November 21 linking the national highway route number 1 from Binh Chanh District to the Cat Lai intersection in District 2. Thu Thiem Tunnel is the most important section of the East-West highway project in HCMC. Built at a total cost of US$189 million provided by Japanese ODA, it has been constructed by a consortium of four Japanese contractors: Obayashi Corporation, Taisei Corporation, Kumagai-Kajima consortium and Toa Corporation. The highway will connect the existing … [Read more...] about Thu Thiem Tunnel opens for traffic