Planning of Bach Dang Wharf: Need to harmonize historical culture and river economy

The story of planning and embellishing Bach Dang wharf (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) has recently received many opinions from people, experts and businesses. Many experts believe that the embellishment needs to preserve the essence of Bach Dang wharf as a busy river wharf, symbolizing the urban nature of the river “on the wharf under the boat” of Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, some water transport businesses are concerned that the embellishment and relocation of some existing piers to another location will cause waste and reduce the number of passengers passing through this pier.

Promoting the landscape ‘on the dock under the boat’

Researcher Tran Huu Phuc Tien, Executive Committee member of the Vietnam Urban Development Planning Association began to share his opinions around the planning of Bach Dang wharf with a historical story.

He said: “From the very beginning, the area of ​​​​Ben Nghe lagoon (from Thi Nghe canal to Ben Nghe canal) in the 17th-18th centuries was the wharf area, including the king’s pier, the military wharf and the wharf of the king’s harbour. At the end of the 19th century, the French modernized this riverbank, built modern harbors.First, Khanh Hoi wharf, called Saigon Trade Port, then from Thu Ngu Flagpole to Ba Son workshop. divided into many berths, each wharf serving different boats. From 1912, Thu Thiem wharf was replaced by a ferry wharf”.

Bach Dang high speed train station is located in Bach Dang wharf park area

According to him, the name Bach Dang Wharf dates back to 1955, from the Me Linh square to the Thu Ngu Flagpole. After 1975, boat activities at Bach Dang Wharf remained, shown through Thu Thiem ferry, ships from the North and other countries docked. Since the 1990s, at Bach Dang Wharf, there have been more activities of hydrofoil speedboats to Vung Tau and other provinces. In recent years, there have been more activities of high-speed trains to Can Gio and Vung Tau, and water buses to the inner city.

Looking back at the development history of Bach Dang Wharf, Mr. Phuc Tien emphasized “Although this place is being embellished as a walking park, we cannot leave and forget its inherent function as a boat dock. “. In urban areas with rivers such as Paris, London, Venice, and Bangkok, there are still means of transporting ships of various types along the river banks to move within the city. Currently, Saigon Port has been moved to another location, and the factory and Ba Son wharf are no longer available. The Saigon River no longer has large ships passing through, so it is very convenient for the development of small boats used for traffic and tourism!”

He added that now at Bach Dang Wharf, in addition to the water bus going in the inner city, the Greenlines high-speed train company has trips to Can Gio and Vung Tau. Thus, it is advisable to expand the waterways further so that people and tourists can go to the sea and neighboring provinces right from the central area quickly and easily. Even by seaplane, is an activity already in Vancouver, Seattle.

Some experts suggest to keep the position of the piers when planning and embellishing Bach Dang Wharf park

Sharing the same view of urban decoration around Bach Dang wharf, emphasizing the factor “on the wharf under the boat”, contributing to the development of the city’s river economy, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tho – Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Studies , University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, commented: “The landscape of Bach Dang Wharf today is Ben Nghe, Bach Dang wharf and Thu Thiem ferry, which witnessed many historical and cultural events. of the city since its inception. With its position as a typical river city, Ho Chi Minh City must connect two waterways – land. With the current location of Bach Dang Wharf, that traffic connection mission should be preserved and promoted, partly to connect history – culture from tradition, partly to create lively vitality. ‘on the dock under the boat’ and economic value to the city. Therefore, I am inclined to keep the position of the piers, rearrange them and apply a more appropriate management method.”

Mr. Tho also shared: “When conducting consultations with 360 city residents (visiting, entertaining, exercising at Bach Dang Wharf, some residents live in Ben Nghe and Ben Thanh wards), almost Most think the location of the piers is appropriate, connecting with history and enlivening the city’s daily life scene.

Harmony of culture, history and economy

Recognizing the role and mission of Bach Dang Wharf as an important factor in the economic development of river urban areas, researcher Phuc Tien believes that the embellishment of Bach Dang Wharf is a park, without contradiction. which should include promoting the existing marina value. The two existing piers can be completely embellished so that the riverside landscape is not obscured too much. Abandon cumbersome designs, design the station so that it is light, harmonious and balanced with the general scene.

Greenlines DP high-speed train carrying passengers on the Saigon River

Tran Song Hai, a representative of the high-speed wharf operating on Bach Dang wharf, said: “Before the COVID-19 epidemic, we had about 600,000 passengers a year, this number contributes to reducing the load on the road. I consider this waterway quite important in sharing with the road and at the same time creating the very strange product of enjoying the river of our city.”

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