Ho Chi Minh City looks to expand temporary parks on vacant land after Tet pilot

The city’s Department of Construction said the initiative turned unused plots into temporary parks and flower gardens to serve residents during the holiday period last month.

Sites at 8 Vo Van Tan Street, 135 Nguyen Hue Street, and 8-12 Le Duan Boulevard, were among several centrally-located plots converted into temporary parks in the city.

Following the holiday, authorities have asked land managers and local governments to assess options to maintain the sites in line with future land-use plans.

Management and upkeep are being coordinated between landholders and local authorities, with responsibility for sanitation, urban order, and security shared at the ward level.

Land managers have been asked to review development plans and propose ways to preserve public space functions while awaiting formal projects.

The city is also seeking voluntary support from businesses and sponsors to fund maintenance, with public funding to be considered if such support is unavailable.

Officials said the pilot showed that converting vacant land into temporary public spaces can be an effective approach and may be expanded.

Authorities are now reviewing individual sites to determine which should remain as temporary public spaces and which will proceed to planned development.

The department is also considering design approaches that are simple, flexible, and easy to maintain, with a focus on greenery and landscaping, while monitoring conditions to prevent deterioration.