HCMC says Le Loi Street will have trees, not just roof

The Department of Planning and Architecture last week unveiled a plan to put up the roof at a cost of VND20-30 billion (US$856,000-1.3 million) to shield pedestrians from the sun.

Le Loi Street saw its construction barriers removed last August after seven years when an underground station was being built for the city’s first metro line.

The large trees that had lined the street had been removed for the construction, and so building a corrugated iron roof stretching over the sidewalks and four meters over the road on either side would be a good idea, the department said.

The plan quickly drew public attention, with many people saying trees would be much better than a roof.

Le Loi Street seen from above, March 27, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Speaking to VnExpress on Monday, Nguyen Thanh Nha, director of the Department of Planning and Architecture, said the planting of trees should be carefully studied since large roots could affect the underground metro station.

The city is working on reviving business and tourism activities along this key street that runs from the Saigon Opera House to Ben Thanh Market in the downtown area.

“It is currently very sunny along Le Loi, and [this keeps] people from strolling down the street and shopping,” Nha said.

Roofs over sidewalks are popular in many tropical countries like Vietnam, he said.

He added that his department is responsible only for building the roof while the landscaping of the area, including planting trees, involves many others such as the construction and traffic agencies.

District 1 has already proposed turning Le Loi into a pedestrians-only street with an eye on tourism.

 

 

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