Ho Chi Minh City plans to bring the statue of Tran Nguyen Han back in front of Ben Thanh market

Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Phan Van Mai has just assigned the Department of Planning and Architecture to set up a working group to study the overall urban design plan in the area of ​​​​Le Loi Street, Ton Duc Thang, Ham Nghi, Nguyen Hue, and Park 23. -9, Ben Thanh station, Ben Thanh market.

Notably, leaders of the City People’s Committee assigned relevant units to research and relocate the statue of Tran Nguyen Han to its old position, propose a new plan to renew the statue of Tran Nguyen Han with more sustainable materials, and study the proportions. Scale the size of the pedestal and statue to suit and harmonize with the overall architectural space of the landscape in front of Ben Thanh market.

In parallel with bringing the statue of Tran Nguyen Han back to the old area, the city is also studying to re-establish the intersection at Le Loi – Nguyen Hue intersection and the roundabout in front of Ben Thanh market.

Tran Nguyen Han monument was built before 1975 in the city center. The statue is made of cement and has been restored and restored twice but is in disrepair.

At the end of November 2014, the functional authorities organized a fence, isolated the statue of Tran Nguyen Han to move to Phu Lam Park (District 6) and the bust of Quach Thi Trang moved to Ly Tu Trong Park (District 6). first). The cost for the relocation of the two monuments is more than 3.3 billion VND.

The relocation of the statue is said to be a solution to ensure safety because in July 2013, the right leg of the monument suddenly fell off, causing many tourists who were taking photos to panic. The relocation is also to clear the ground for construction of the urban railway of Ho Chi Minh City (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) in District 1.

At the beginning of May, leaders of the City People’s Committee also assigned the Department of Transport to study the plan to re-establish Le Loi street with the highlight of re-establishing Le Loi street and the intersection between this route and Nguyen Hue pedestrian street after the underground stations of the metro. No. 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) basically completed and returned the ground.

The intersection of Nguyen Hue – Le Loi is in the busiest location in Ho Chi Minh City, surrounded by many hotels and big brand shops. Previously, this intersection was a roundabout (also known as Bon Ken roundabout or Willow roundabout), built in 1920 and considered the first roundabout in Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country.

In 2014, to build the underground station of the City Theater of metro line 1, Ho Chi Minh City cut down many trees in front of the theater and removed the roundabout at the intersection of Nguyen Hue – Le Loi. Tax mall located at the intersection was also dismantled to build a 30-storey building.

At the beginning of January 2022, Ho Chi Minh City organized the restoration and renovation of the statue of Saint Tran Hung Dao and Me Linh Park, Bach Dang Wharf and received the support of the people.

Bucking masterpiece

Relocating Tran Nguyen Han statue in front of Ben Thanh marketTran Nguyen Han monument built before 1975, the symbol in the city center and familiar image of Saigon people will be relocated to District 6 in mid-December.