21/10/2026
At exactly 8:00 AM on October 21, 2026, the main nipa palm-shaped span of the Saigon River Pedestrian Bridge was successfully connected. The two banks—Bach Dang Wharf and the Thu Thiem New Urban Area—are now officially linked by a bridge dedicated exclusively to pedestrians and cyclists. This article summarizes everything confirmed so far: specifications, location, and the expected opening date. At the end, we share our genuine perspective as real estate professionals working daily in Thu Thiem on what this bridge actually changes, and what it doesn't.
Rendering / Actual image of the Saigon River Pedestrian Bridge - [URL_ANH_1]
Quick Answer: Yes. According to Tuoi Tre newspaper, the main span of the bridge was successfully joined at 8:00 AM on October 21, 2026. A barge carrying the 3,400-ton steel arch began its maneuver at 4:30 AM that same morning.
This is the very first pedestrian bridge crossing the Saigon River, connecting Bach Dang Wharf directly to the Thu Thiem New Urban Area.
The main span block was assembled in Vung Tau, then towed by waterway for approximately 124 km to Bach Dang Wharf on the afternoon of October 19. On the morning of October 21, four tugboats positioned at four corners coordinated to rotate the barge horizontally across the river, guiding the span into place between the two previously constructed approach sections. The connection date was chosen based on tidal calculations, specifically during a period of weak currents to ensure precise positioning.
To facilitate the construction, waterway traffic on the Saigon River through the construction zone was temporarily suspended from 2:00 AM to 6:00 PM on October 21 and 22, 2026.
Quick Answer: The bridge is about 720m long, with a deck width of 6–11m. The main span is 187m long, featuring a cable-stayed arch structure weighing 1,400 tons (and up to 2,000 tons including the support frame during transport). The total investment of nearly 1,000 billion VND is fully funded by Nutifood. Construction began in late March 2025.
| CATEGORY | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Total Length | Approx. 720 m (main span + approach bridges) |
| Deck Width | 6–11 m |
| Main Span | 187 m, cable-stayed arch |
| Main Span Weight | 1,400 tons (approx. 3,400 tons including support frame) |
| Navigational Clearance | 80 m x 10 m |
| Approach Bridges (D1 / Thu Thiem) | Approx. 239 m / 206 m |
| Total Investment | Nearly 1,000 billion VND (funded by Nutifood) |
| Design | Consortium of Chodai – Takashi Niwa Architects and Chodai Kisojiban VN |
| Construction Started | Late March 2025 |
| Main Span Connected | 8:00 AM, Oct 21, 2026 |
| Expected Opening | Lunar New Year 2027 (or April 30, 2027) |
The nipa palm frond design was selected from 12 shortlisted proposals. This is the first pedestrian bridge in Vietnam to utilize a spatial steel arch structure. According to the published design, the bridge will feature an artistic lighting system, ETFE material canopies, elevators, and escalators. It also includes a dedicated lane for bicycles and is built to withstand a maximum ambulance load of 3 tons.
Detailed design of the bridge deck and canopy - [URL_ANH_2]
Quick Answer: The city center end is located within Bach Dang Wharf Park (Ben Nghe Ward), about 125 meters from Me Linh Square. The Thu Thiem end lands at the Saigon Riverfront Park (An Khanh Ward), at the intersection of Nguyen Thien Thanh and N14 streets.
On the river, the bridge sits between the Ba Son Bridge and the Thu Thiem Tunnel. On the Thu Thiem side, the bridgehead is situated just south of the New Urban Area's central square. As such, it directly connects the two largest public spaces on both banks: Bach Dang Wharf and Nguyen Hue Walking Street on one side, and the riverfront park and Thu Thiem Square on the other.
HCMC has also approved in principle the construction of two additional pedestrian overpasses across Ton Duc Thang Street, linking Nguyen Hue Walking Street directly to Bach Dang Wharf. The estimated investment is about 80 billion VND. Once completed, pedestrians will enjoy a seamless walking axis from Nguyen Hue, across the river, to Thu Thiem without ever having to cross vehicular traffic.
Quick Answer: There is no official date yet. According to the sponsor Nutifood, the bridge is expected to open in time for the 2027 Lunar New Year (Tet). However, a document submitted to the HCMC People's Committee indicates a milestone of April 30, 2027.
After the main span connection, contractors still need to finalize the bridge deck, railings, lighting, escalators, and elevators. If you plan to take clients or family for an experience, it's best to follow the official announcements from the HCMC People's Committee closer to that time. Both dates mentioned are tentative.
Quick Answer: The most obvious impact is on the living experience: Thu Thiem residents can walk to Bach Dang and Nguyen Hue without needing a vehicle. The bridge does not serve cars or motorbikes, so it won't resolve traffic congestion. Currently, there is no reliable data measuring the sole impact of this bridge on housing prices.
The Thu Thiem riverfront axis already boasts the Thu Thiem Bridge, Ba Son Bridge, and the river tunnel. The pedestrian bridge is the fourth missing puzzle piece, but unlike the other three, it serves lifestyle rather than traffic circulation. HCMC plans to host community activities such as music festivals, water fountain shows, yoga sessions, and outdoor movie screenings around the bridge area on weekends and special occasions.
For residents and tenants, especially expat families, this is highly significant. Walking across the river for dinner in the city center and strolling back is a lifestyle offering Thu Thiem previously lacked. Riverfront projects located between the Ba Son Bridge and Thu Thiem Tunnel, such as The Metropole Thu Thiem and Empire City, are in the direct beneficiary zone of this experience. On the opposite bank, Grand Marina Saigon also sits in close proximity to Bach Dang Wharf.
Editor's note: The actual walking time from each project to the bridgehead will need to be measured on-site once the bridge opens; specific minute estimates should not be published yet.
Map connecting the two riverbanks - [URL_ANH_3]
We work in Thu Thiem every day, and let's be straightforward: a pedestrian bridge doesn't cause apartment prices to double overnight. Anyone telling you otherwise is making a sales pitch, not providing an analysis.
What the bridge truly does is change how people live in Thu Thiem. For years, the most common question clients asked us was, "Is Thu Thiem too isolated from the center?" From the expected opening in 2027, the answer will be much simpler: you just walk across the river.
If you are considering buying to live or rent out in Thu Thiem, view the bridge as a major lifestyle bonus, placed alongside more crucial factors: legal clarity, handover condition, management fees, and market price comparisons. Don't buy solely because of a bridge.
Want to view actual properties near the pedestrian bridge?
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