Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard
| Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Boulevard | |
 Ho Chi Minh City Hall as seen from Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | |
| Native name | Đường Nguyễn Huệ, Đại lộ Nguyễn Huệ, Phố đi bộ Nguyễn Huệ (Vietnamese) |
|---|---|
| Former name(s) | Charner Boulevard |
| Length | 670 m (2,200 ft)[1] |
| Width | 64 metres (210 ft) |
| Location | Bến Nghé, District 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh |
| Nearest metro station | 1 Opera House station |
| Coordinates | 10°46′27″N 106°42′13″E / 10.774118°N 106.703618°E |
| Major junctions |
|
| Construction | |
| Completion | 1887 |
Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard (Vietnamese: Đường Nguyễn Huệ) is a boulevard in District 1, downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.[2] Being one of Saigon's oldest thoroughfares, the boulevard had undergone several transformations; it is currently a famous pedestrian street in the city.[3]
Location
The boulevard stretches from Lê Thánh Tôn Street, right across from Ho Chi Minh City Hall, to Tôn Đức Thắng Boulevard.[2]
History
The boulevard was originally a canal linked to Saigon River, then known as Kinh Lớn (Grand Canal). [4]The boulevard connects the Saigon River with the old Citadel of Saigon, natively known as Thành Bát Quái.
Due to being heavily polluted, the city governors decided to fill in the canal and at the end of the 1860s, the work began. In 1887, the canal was completely filled in and transformed into a boulevard named Boulevard Charner. In 1955, it was renamed Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard.[5]
Nguyen Hue pedestrian street
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In October 2014, the government of Ho Chi Minh City decided to convert the middle lanes of the boulevard into a pedestrian street. The project was completed on April 29, 2015.[3] During weekend evenings, the entire boulevard is pedestrianized.
Buildings
(South east to North west, numerical order)
| Address | Alternative name | Primary tenant(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | BenThanh Tourist Office | |
| 10 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | Vinatex Building | |
| 11 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | Cholon Tourist Office | |
| 19 - 25 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | SGB Hội Sở Building | Sai Gon Joint Stock Commercial Bank Office, |
| 22 - 36 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | The Reverie Saigon Hotel | |
| 37 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | Harbor View Tower | ADVisory Company, Bangkok Bank, Payoo Cooperation |
| 55-57 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | Amigo Grill Restaurant | |
| 66 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | Calibre Charner Coffee | |
| 72 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | Eximbank Trading Office | |
| 87 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | The Gangs Restaurant | |
| 110 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | Ho Chi Minh Statue | |
| 123 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard | McDonald's Restaurant |
Public transportation
Buses
Being a tourist street, tourist buses are commonly seen on the Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard. There's also public buses of Saigon Bus system go over here.
Metro
A metro line is being built. The designated route, Line 1: Bến Thành - Suối Tiên would cross beneath Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard. The nearest station, the Opera House metro station has many exits to the Nguyễn Huệ 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 on Saigon River. 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 setup 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.
After 2015, the boulevard was converted into a pedestrian street. The tradition continues, with flowers are decorated during the new year time. The motorbike routes continued to be blocked, but this time with additional nearby streets like Lê Lợi. In addition to the flower street, a book street event is being held at the same time nearby, with 2023 book street taking place on Lê Lợi street.
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.
References
- ^ "Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ a b "Map of Ho Chi Minh City". HCM CityWeb.
- ^ a b Brebbia, C. A.; Zubir, S. S.; Hassan, A. S., eds. (2017). Sustainable Development and Planning VIII. WIT Press. pp. 301–302.
- ^ Tran, Quynh (June 11, 2017). "How Saigon's iconic Nguyen Hue Street has transformed over 150 years".
- ^ Corfield, Justin (2014). Historical Dictionary of Ho Chi Minh City. Anthem Press. p. 356.
See also
