Ho Chi Minh City studies Vam Thuat Bridge to connect riverbanks, ease city access

Ho Chi Minh City is considering the construction of the Vam Thuat Bridge, a project designed to directly connect the Binh Loi Trung and An Phu Dong wards and significantly improve access to the city center. For years, residents in these areas have been inconvenienced by the lack of a direct river crossing.

Currently, travel between the two sides of the Vam Thuat River relies heavily on the aging An Phu Dong iron bridge. This bridge is small, primarily accommodates motorcycles and small cars, and frequently experiences traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. Many residents find crossing the bridge inconvenient, particularly during commutes for work and school. The bridge has also undergone several repairs after damage, including collisions with barges, raising safety concerns among users.

Alternatively, residents must take circuitous routes via major roads like National Highway 13, National Highway 1, or Phan Van Tri Street, adding considerable time and distance to their journeys. The proposed Vam Thuat Bridge would connect Nguyen Xi Street, near the Pham Van Dong intersection, to Dang Thuy Tram Street, extending to Vườn Lài Street in the An Phu Dong area. This direct connection is expected to drastically reduce travel times from the northern parts of the city to the center.

The project is currently in the feasibility study phase. The Management Board of Investment Projects for Traffic Works plans to submit the proposal for investment policy approval in the third quarter of 2026. Following approval, detailed design and construction plans will be developed, with construction tentatively scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2027 and completion expected by 2029. The project, estimated to cost over 1,000 billion VND, involves building a reinforced concrete bridge with four lanes.

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If there was a new bridge connecting the two banks of the Vam Thuan River directly to the city center, it would save a lot of time. We have heard about the research for a long time but haven't seen it done.