Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in Ho Chi Minh City is a 30 metre wide plaza which runs 760 metres from the Ho Chi Minh People’s Committee Building, also known as Saigon City Hall, in a south easterly direction towards the Saigon River.
Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in Ho Chi Minh CityOther than nearby Tao Dan Park, Nguyen Hue pedestrian street is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s only pedestrianised public areas where city dwellers and tourists can go without the constant problem of dodging the motorcyclists who appear to be everywhere, even on the pavement or down the narrowest side streets, in large numbers across the city.
About Nguyen Hue pedestrian street
Nguyen Hue pedestrian street was designated as a public plaza in 2015 in clever city planning decision on the part of the Ho Chi Minh People’s Committee, which is responsible for urban development in Ho Chi Minh City. The Committee selected one of the few spots in the city large enough to create a public space of any significance, and they choose a location which is close to some of the city’s most famous attractions such as Saigon Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office.
Ho Chi Minh Statue in front of Saigon City HallDay time at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street
During the day time Nguyen Hue pedestrian street attracts a handful of visitors who come to see the colonial era City Hall Building and the statue of Ho Chi Minh City which stands in front of it. Nguyen Hue pedestrian street has very little shade and a lot of concrete which means that during the day it can become uncomfortably hot and not somewhere that most people would to congregate or take a stroll.
Night time at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street
This all changes at night when the climate becomes cooler and local residents congregate on the plaza, particularly on the weekends when the adjacent road are also closed. Nguyen Hue pedestrian street comes to life at night – quite literally – when the fountains and lighting built into the floor of the plaza are switched on. Local people come to hang out, skateboard, eat a picnic and dance when bands or sound systems are set up.
If you happen to be in Ho Chi Minh City on the 30th April, which is Reunification Day in Vietnam, the street literally becomes covered with people and whilst you may enjoy the convivial atmosphere you will struggle to find even standing space if you arrive too late in the evening.
Location of Nguyen Hue pedestrian street
Nguyen Hue pedestrian street is located 4.1 km by road from Saigon Railway Station.
