Despite several residents’ opposition, HCM City decided to change the name of the newly-built Thu Thiem Tunnel to the Saigon River Tunnel.
Saigon River Tunnel replaces Thu Thiem Ferry
Tran Quang Phuong, Director of the municipal Department of Transport explained the former name was a temporary one, which was used during the tunnel's construction. He added that it needs to have an official name after it has become operational.
According to Phuong, “We should give the tunnel a name that has local significance and reminds people of the city's development. I think that naming it after the Saigon River achieves this goal; it reflects the city's past and future."
He even self-confidently asserted that there would be no more tunnels crossing underneath river in the time to come, in accordance with the city’s planning. So, according to him, the Saigon River Tunnel is a completely appropriate name.
Nguyen Thi Viet Tu, local man, disbelieved Phuong's statement, saying that it is unrealistic to think that other tunnels will not be built to cross under the river. He said that the pace of the city's development is so fast that such things could not be predicted.
The name change faces significant local opposition.
Ngo Minh Chau, Deputy Director of the municipal Police called for careful consideration in naming the tunnel so that it would be in line with the identity of the surrounding communities.
“The Thu Thiem ferry terminal will officially close soon. So the same name seems most obvious choice for the tunnel, since it is already familiar," Chau said.
One local resident had his own view. Nguyen Dinh Hung proposed choosing a name that would enhance the status of the region and underline the cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.
Nguyen Van Son, another nearby resident, said, “The Thu Thiem tunnel is an important public work that connects the inner city with the Thu Thiem Urban Area. In order to build it, 15,000 households had to be relocated, from Thu Thiem Ward, so it would be a crime not to name the tunnel Thu Thiem."
Chairwoman of HCM City People’s Council, Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, remains unmoved, and has decided that naming the tunnel the Saigon River is the best option.
On the afternoon December 7, the the council approved the name Saigon River Tunnel despite the adverse opinions of locals.
The tunnel recently renamed the Saigon River Tunnel
The tunnel connects District No. 1 to District No. 2
