Historical and cultural locations, such as the Hoa Xa complex on Ham Nghi Street in District 1, which once served as Saigon’s railway headquarters, will be preserved with their original architecture. Rows of houses on Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Boi Chau streets will also be kept intact.
Additionally, Ham Nghi Street next to the railway building will have more trees planted to provide shade.
Currently, items that were built for a gasoline station and bus station in front of Ben Thanh Market are filled with graffiti and garbage.
Aside from the project to refurbish the square in front of Ben Thanh Market, HCMC has approved another plan costing VND95 billion to renovate the market itself.
The project would include the upgrade of infrastructure and four main gates, all downgraded after many years of use. Its metal roofing will also be tiled.
Funding for the renovation project will come from private sources.
Covering 13,000 square meters, Ben Thanh Market has long been a tourist magnet in the southern metropolis that attracted thousands of foreign visitors each year.
Built in 1870 by the French, the market was initially called Les Halles Centrales, before being renamed Ben Thanh in 1912. Today the market operates all year round and opens from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
