Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard Explained

Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard
Other Name:Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Boulevard
Former Names:Boulevard Charner
Metro: Opera House station
Length M:670
Width:64m (210feet)
Location:Bến Nghé, District 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Coordinates:10.7741°N 106.7036°W
Direction A:Northwest
Terminus A:Lê Thánh Tôn Street
Direction B:Southeast
Terminus B:Tôn Đức Thắng Boulevard
Junction:Lê Lợi Boulevard

Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard (Vietnamese: Đường Nguyễn Huệ) is a boulevard in District 1, downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.[1] Being one of Saigon's oldest thoroughfares, the boulevard has undergone several transformations; it is currently a famous pedestrian street in the city.

The boulevard stretches from Lê Thánh Tôn Street, right across from Ho Chi Minh City Hall, to Tôn Đức Thắng Boulevard (Bạch Đằng Quay, Saigon River waterfront).

History

The boulevard was originally a canal known as Kinh Lớn (Grand Canal), which linked the former Citadel of Saigon (the Vietnamese: Thành Quy) to Saigon River. In the first two decades after the French conquest of Saigon, the canal remained an important waterway, as the central market was then located on its bank.[2] The two quayside streets along the canal were designated by n° 18, before they were officially named Quai Charner (on the right bank) and Quai Rigault de Genouilly (on the left bank) in 1865. Due to the pestilential odors emanating from the canal, local residents had soon requested that it be filled in. However, it took eighteen years of discussions for this to be achieved in 1886–1887. The resulting wide thoroughfare was henceforth named boulevard Charner.[3]

From 1926, the boulevard had two wide central avenues separated by a thin strip of grass, which was ordered by the former Saigon mayor Rouelle. In 1955, it was renamed Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard by the South Vietnamese government.[4]

Nguyen Hue pedestrian street

In October 2014, the government of Ho Chi Minh City decided to convert the middle lanes of the boulevard into a pedestrian square. The project was completed on April 29, 2015.[5] During weekend evenings, the entire boulevard is pedestrianized.

Buildings

(South east to North west, numerical order)

AddressAlternative namePrimary tenant(s)
5 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardBenThanh Tourist Office
10 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardVinatex Building
11 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardCholon Tourist Office
19–25 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardSGB Hội Sở BuildingSai Gon Joint Stock Commercial Bank Office,
22–36 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardThe Reverie Saigon Hotel
37 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardHarbor View Tower ADVisory Company, Bangkok Bank, Payoo Cooperation
55–57 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardAmigo Grill Restaurant
66 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardCalibre Charner Coffee
72 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardEximbank Trading Office
87 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardThe Gangs Restaurant
110 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardHo Chi Minh Statue
123 Nguyễn Huệ BoulevardMcDonald's Restaurant

Public transportation

Buses

Being a tourist street, tourist buses are commonly seen on the Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard.

Metro

A metro line is being built. The Line 1, Ho Chi Minh City Metro would cross beneath Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard. The nearest station, the Opera House station has many exits to the boulevard.

Nguyen Hue Flower Street

Nguyen Hue Flower Street, or natively known as Đường hoa Nguyễn Huệ, is the common name of Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard during the lunar new year festival. During the festival, the street is decorated for the occasion and are exclusively for pedestrians. The tradition started in 2004, which previously known as Flower Market Nguyễn Huệ.

During the 20th century, the street is commonly a marketplace for trading flowers during the end of the lunar years. Vendors would come from the port at Bạch Đằng Quay. As such, during these years, the street is a common attraction for citizens to sightseeing and enjoy the Tết atmosphere.

After 2003, the city relocated the flower market to 23 Tháng 9 park. In 2004, the city started the tradition to set up flowers decoration on the street, designated as a sightseeing area during new year times. Since then, the name Nguyen Hue flower street is born. The street during this time is for pedestrians, and transportations are forbidden on the street.

In February 2015, the boulevard was under construction, so the Flower Street event was held on the nearby Hàm Nghi Boulevard. Following the boulevard's conversion into a pedestrian street, the tradition continues, with flowers decorated during the new year time. Motorbike routes continued to be blocked, but this time with additional nearby streets like Lê Lợi. During Tet 2023, in addition to the Flower Street, a book street event was held on Lê Lợi Boulevard.

The Nguyễn Huệ flower street are considered to be a culture and tourist event during the new year time, attract many citizens, tourists, as well as home-coming overseas Vietnamese.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Map of Ho Chi Minh City . HCM CityWeb.
  2. Web site: Tran . Quynh . June 11, 2017 . How Saigon's iconic Nguyen Hue Street has transformed over 150 years .
  3. Book: Baudrit, André . Guide historique des rues de Saigon . S.I.L.I. . 1943 . Saigon . 147–148.
  4. Book: Corfield, Justin . Historical Dictionary of Ho Chi Minh City . Anthem Press . 2014 . 356.
  5. Book: Sustainable Development and Planning VIII . WIT Press . 2017 . Brebbia . C. A. . 301–302 . Zubir . S. S. . Hassan . A. S..