Among the trees, 146 would be struck down while the rest are relocated.
Tree removal will serve renovation of Bach Dang Terminal Park in District 1, said the HCMC Department of Construction. The first phase will involve a 8,700-square-meter park section costing VND35 billion ($1.5 million), and the second, a 7,300-square-meter section of VND30 billion, it added.
Construction should begin on Sept. 2 and complete by Dec. 29. The budget would be derived from multiple sources.
The renovation project should help create new paths, fields, trees and lighting systems, among others additions, to the park, while also improving existing structures. Following renovation, the park would be separated into three functional areas: one for historical memorials (spanning 4,000 square meters), one for promoting tourism (5,150 square meters) and a community park (2,750 square meters).
Bach Dang Terminal, located on Ton Duc Thang Street and opposite the Nguyen Hue walking street, includes the Bach Dang port and park right next to the Saigon River. It is a popular tourist destination, but its infrastructure has been degraded as of late.