New ecological symbol of coastal urban areas in Vietnam and the region

This is the opinion of experts at the Seminar on solutions for building a "super urban area" encroaching on the sea in Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of October 23, in Can Gio commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

People wait for change in their homeland

The "super urban area" reclaiming the sea in Can Gio has an area of 2,870 hectares. When completed, it will become the largest coastal tourist metropolis in Vietnam.

At the seminar, former Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects Khuong Van Muoi analyzed that the current geology of the Can Gio sea area is an estuary - seaport, the geology is formed by many layers of sediments. The upper surface is a layer of soft clay-silt sand 18-24m thick; below are layers of clay - sand. These layers are in a plastic to semi-hard state.

At a depth of 36–40 m, the coastal soil becomes solid with layers of dense sand and hard soil – an ideal foundation for large-scale constructions.

Seminar on solutions to build "super city" encroaching on Can Gio sea

To create a "super city" reclaiming the sea in the existing Can Gio coastal area, Mr. Khuong Van Muoi recommended that the city needs to combine ecological solutions such as planting mangrove forests, preserving and regenerating ecosystems, in addition to effectively responding to climate change, helping to build a coastal super city worthy of the region.

On the local level, Vice Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Can Gio Commune (Ho Chi Minh City) Vo Thi Diem Phuong said that people are waiting for changes in their coastal homeland of Can Gio, especially job opportunities and tourism and service development.

The project started in April this year, of which the sea reclamation project covers an area of more than 1,357 hectares.

Also according to the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Gio commune, over the past years, the implementation of the Can Gio sea encroachment project has helped the locality create jobs for thousands of workers, thereby helping to solve the social security problem for the coastal commune of Can Gio.

At the seminar, Ho Chi Minh City urban experts also assessed that the Can Gio coastal area has a similar geological formation to the riverside area in Ho Chi Minh City. Compared to Binh Thanh area, Can Gio has similar geology. Specifically, if Binh Thanh has a weak geological layer above, with a thickness of about 30m, Can Gio has a surface thickness of about 20m. The geology is better further down. At a depth of 36-40m, both areas have good soil layers, which can be inserted into for fixing.

Application technology consulting by leading international experts

In the coastal area of Can Gio, many mechanical equipment, barges, and material transfer stations have appeared.

Regarding the technology of foundation treatment and sea encroachment, the representative of Can Gio sea encroachment urban area said that during the construction process, this super urban area will apply coastal land treatment technology consulted by leading international experts from the Netherlands. This is a country with a lot of experience in planning and implementing sea encroachment projects for water management and economic development, helping to ensure solid construction works, absolute long-term sustainability.

In addition, the Can Gio sea-encroaching "super city" also applies the solution of treating the ground with modern sandblasting technology combined with the special principle of excavation-fill balance, that is, most of the filling materials are taken directly from the water surface areas within the planning area, then filled in the mainland. This solution has been proven in many countries, typically the Palm Jumeirah artificial islands in Dubai or large port expansion projects in Asia.

At the construction site, many leveling and technical infrastructure construction items are being accelerated.

With the characteristics of alluvial land, Can Gio is like an area that is continuously filled by nature. Advanced solutions on foundation and sea encroachment when applied to Can Gio are more effective. This method helps save resources, minimize offshore exploitation and does not disturb the surrounding environment during the filling phase.

Phase 1 is expected to be completed in November.

After half a year of construction, the first shapes of the Can Gio coastal tourist urban area are becoming clearer.

The project is located on the Can Gio coast, with the sea in front and mangrove forests behind, considered the "green lungs" of the city. Currently, the area's infrastructure is being developed by Ho Chi Minh City.

Focus on investment to connect with key traffic axes, expanding accessibility from the center.

Project sales director Phan Thien Ly said that phase 1 (filling and anti-erosion works) will be completed by November. Also during this time, the investor will start construction on the golf course, theater, amusement park and low-rise housing area, expected to be completed within 12 months.

"Phase 2 will be implemented in mid-2026, focusing on road construction and technical items. By November 2026, the first houses of the project will be handed over," said Ms. Ly.

To increase accessibility to the urban area, Vingroup said it will sponsor three 200-ton ferries serving the Binh Khanh - Can Gio route and bear all operating costs.

At the same time, the interchange between Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway and Rung Sac Road is expected to start construction in mid-2026, helping to connect faster to Long Thanh International Airport via Highway 51 and Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway. At the same time, promoting the progress of the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Gio high-speed railway project.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/bieu-tuong-sinh-thai-moi-cua-do-thi-ven-bien-viet-nam-va-khu-vuc-10392590.html