Vandalism mars barriers at Saigon River footbridge construction site

As observed by a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter on Tuesday, the barriers along Ton Duc Thang Street in Saigon Ward were slashed and defaced with graffiti.

Nearly 100 meters of metal fencing was covered with crude drawings and splashes of paint.

Several sections had also been slashed open, exposing the inner layers of the barrier and further degrading the site’s appearance.

Residents said that the damage has turned a prominent downtown area into an eyesore.

“The entire stretch has been scribbled over and ripped apart. It looks messy and unpleasant,” said Ly Tong Giang, a local who frequently passes through the area.

“I hope people become more aware and help preserve the shared environment."

Information boards and fencing panels have been repeatedly targeted in recent weeks, according to Vietnam Nutifood Nutrition Food Joint Stock Company (Nutifood), the sponsor of the footbridge project.

Construction teams have replaced and repaired the damaged sections as soon as issues were detected.

However, within days, the vandalism has reappeared.

Nutifood stated that the footbridge is intended as a meaningful public project, contributing a new architectural symbol to Ho Chi Minh City while enhancing connectivity and urban living standards.

Acts of vandalism not only damage property but also undermine efforts to build a modern, civilized city, the company noted.

The footbridge, built at a cost of nearly VND1 trillion (US$38 million), will connect Bach Dang Wharf in downtown Ho Chi Minh with the Thu Thiem urban area.

Upon completion, the bridge will be 261 meters long and between six and 11 meters wide, featuring a 187-meter river span with a clearance of 10 meters above the water and an overall width of 80 meters.