The HCM City Department of Construction has asked the city’s Transport and Technical Infrastructure Management Centre to work with relevant agencies to develop artistic lighting in the central area, aiming to enhance urban aesthetics and serve residents and visitors.
The move follows city directives to implement the Party Secretary’s conclusions, initially focusing on iconic sites to create a modern, vibrant night-time image and expand cultural spaces.
Authorities will review lighting systems at key locations, including City Hall, the Central Post Office, the Municipal Theatre, the State Treasury, the Fine Arts Museum, the Ton Duc Thang Museum, the Thu Ngu flagpole, Ba Son Bridge and Mong Bridge. Outdated or substandard systems will be upgraded or replaced to enhance visual impact.
The city is also considering 3D mapping projections on building facades tied to each site’s history, with additional heritage sites under review including Notre-Dame Cathedral, Reunification Hall, Giac Lam Pagoda, Ben Thanh and Binh Tay markets, and the Ba Chieu Mausoleum.
In November 2025, the city completed an artistic lighting project at sites including Mong Bridge, the Children’s House, the City Museum, the Thu Ngu flagpole and Ben Thanh Market, with customised, colour-changing schemes enhancing the nightscape, funded by nearly VND 50 billion (USD 1.9 million) from the city budget.
Separately, in late 2024, phase one of artistic lighting on Ba Son Bridge, linking Thu Thiem with former District 1, was implemented, with lights on the cable stays, pylons and spans highlighting its distinctive design.
