8 Functional Areas and notable projects of THu Thiem Urban Area

Thu Thiem NUA is just across the Saigon River from District 1 and Ho Chi Minh City’s established CBD. The NUA in Thu Duc spans 657 ha.

 

Thu Thiem NUA was first conceptualised by French architects in the 1960s and has undergone substantial changes since its first conception. In 2012, the HCMC People’s Committee issued Decision 5139, amending and supplementing Decision 3165 to approve the planning of Thu Thiem NUA and granted its master plan with a scale of 1/2000.

 

Planning

 

Thu Thiem NUA is divided into eight functional areas. Each area has a designated use, carefully planned public spaces, and defined building densities. There will be an array of high-end residential and commercial areas that cater to elite occupiers from around the world. Many properties are under construction and will start welcoming tenants and residents soon, including

 

FUNCTIONAL AREA 1

A multi-functional commercial and service centre along Arc Boulevard and Central Square. This area is home to some of the most exclusive projects in Thu Thiem, including exhibition and convention centres, museums, and an opera house. It is expected to be the shopping and leisure centre of the city, with high-end offices for more than 80,000 working professionals according to Thu Thiem NUA planning website.

Notable projects:

 

The Metropole Thu Thiem

 

FUNCTIONAL AREA 2

South of the Central Core Area, Functional Area 2 is divided into three areas:

2A: Located north of the East-West Boulevard, the area is reserved for Lotte Group’s Eco Smart City and several other projects. The total investment will total over US$2 billion.

2B: Home to Empire City, a joint venture of Keppel Land, Tien Phuoc and Gaw Capital Partners with more than an investment of US$1.2 billion.

2C: Part of Thu Thiem central Core and serving as the sports and entertainment complex, with an investment of VND 8 trillion from Vingroup.

Highlights of Functional Area 2 are 88 Empire City Tower, gymnasiums and sporting arenas, international schools, canals, and the Saigon Riverfront Park. Similar to Functional Area 1, towers here will be arranged along Arc Boulevard and Central Square. Residential projects in Functional Area 2 will be able to house most residents in Thu Thiem NUA. Estimates expect more than 32,000 residents in the future.

 

Notable Projects:

 

Eco Smart City

Empire City

 

FUNCTIONAL AREA 3

Surrounded by the Central Lake, Functional Area 3 will have the lowest building density compared to other areas along the river. It will comprise residential and commercial areas. It will have the second-largest residential area in Thu Thiem NUA (just behind Functional Area 2), and a variety of facilities, including private and international schools.

Notable projects:

 

The River

Thu Thiem Zeit River

 

FUNCTIONAL AREA 4

Located in the North of Thu Thiem NUA, Functional Area 4 serves as a residential area with commercial buildings. Villa and townhouse projects and public areas are close to the Saigon River and Ca Tre Canal. The area will offer a variety of public amenities such as local administrative buildings, a community centre, and a fire station.

Notable project:

 

Thu Thiem Lakeview

 

FUNCTIONAL AREA 5

This Functional Area will focus more on community functions, with a community centre, children's centre, urban and local administrative buildings, private schools, and gas stations. Projects are arranged along the East-West and North-South Highway.

Notable projects:

 

Sala Urban Area

 

FUNCTIONAL AREA 6

Located along East-West Highway and in the middle of the canals of Thu Thiem Peninsula, Functional Area 6 will be the research, science, and technology hub. It will have a capacity for 54,800 professionals. Functional Area 6 is connected to public transport routes, delivering access to the rest of the city. Commercial buildings, residential apartments and townhouses are surrounded by international hospitals, bus routes and subway lines connecting to an IT park.

Notable projects:

 

Sadora

Sari Town

FUNCTIONAL AREA 7

Located at the easternmost point of Thu Thiem NUA, the area has hotels, resorts, and a marina. The yacht port will include commercial centres, restaurants, and other leisure facilities. Binh Khanh Resettlement Area will house resettled landowners.

 

Notable projects:

 

Binh Khanh Resettlement Area

New City Thu Thiem

 

FUNCTIONAL AREA 8

Functional Area 8 will be the ecological development area in southern Thu Thiem that will deliver lush green spaces. This conservation area is essential for the city’s sustainable development and will contribute greatly to the ecology of the urban environment.

 

There are currently three planned developments, including a water park, a botanical garden and research facility and a green resort. These projects have been carefully researched and funded.

 

Thu Thiem Planing

TRAFFIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THU THIEM NUA

The infrastructure plan includes several bridges and routes that will connect Thu Thiem to the rest of HCMC:

 

Thu Thiem Tunnel: Connecting Vo Van Kiet Road and Mai Chi Tho Boulevard (opened in 2011).

Thu Thiem Bridge 1: Connecting Binh Thanh District and Thu Thiem NUA. The bridge starts at the Ngo Tat To – Nguyen Huu Canh intersection and ends at Luong Dinh Cua Street (opened in 2008).

Thu Thiem Bridge 2: Connecting R1 roundabout and District 1 (opened in 2022). It is the symbol and gateway of the city centre to Thu Thiem NUA.

Thu Thiem Bridge 3: Connecting District 4, the bridge is expected to start at Ton Dan Street towards Functional Area 2B or 2C (in planning).

Thu Thiem Bridge 4: Connecting to District 7 (raising capital).

Pedestrian Bridge: Connecting Me Linh Square to Thu Thiem Central Square (in planning).

Internal roads in Thu Thiem include Arc Boulevard (R1), Central Lakeside Road (R2), Saigon Riverside Road (R3), Elevated Delta Road (R4), Mai Chi Tho Road, and the North-South Highway.

 

In the future, Metro Line 2 will connect to Thu Thiem. It is expected by 2030.

Sixteen other infrastructure projects are expected according to the plan. Projects will be evenly distributed throughout Thu Thiem to serve all the residents and working professionals. Key projects include Thu Thiem Museum, Thu Thiem Opera House, and Central Square.

 

INVESTMENT POTENTIAL IN THU THIEM

Thu Thiem’s planning, investment, and infrastructure have been prioritised and conducted methodically.

 

With a large land supply and a strategic location, investment opportunities are plentiful in Thu Thiem NUA. Land prices in Thu Thiem have risen continuously since 2015. The area has weathered strong economic headwinds well.

 

Looking toward the next decade, Thu Thiem will see exponential growth and interest from local and overseas investors.