In the run-up to the Lunar New Year or Tet 2026, Ho Chi Minh City has been bustling as refurbishment works brighten the urban landscape, with many landmark structures upgraded to welcome the Lunar New Year. After weeks of accelerated construction, several projects have been completed, lending a refreshed look to the city, authorities said.
Ben Thanh Market, a century-old symbol of Ho Chi Minh City, has completed a refurbishment after more than two weeks, with its bright red tiled roof and cream-yellow façade highlighting the market’s distinctive architecture and giving the landmark a renewed look.
Built between 1912 and 1914, Ben Thanh Market spans 13,000 square metres at a central city intersection and remains one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most iconic historic landmarks.
The square in front of Ben Thanh Market, featuring a wave pattern, has also been completed and opened, attracting numerous residents and tourists for visits and photographs.
Opposite Ben Thanh Market, the heritage Hoa Xa building has also been repainted, giving the area a more harmonious and visually appealing look.
Built in 1914, the Hoa Xa building once served as Saigon’s railway station for inter-provincial lines and has since been preserved and upgraded, with its original colours restored and architectural details cleaned and conserved.
Approximately 1.5 kilometres from Ben Thanh Market, Ho Con Rua (Turtle Lake) in Xuan Hoa Ward has also been given a new look.
Built in 1965 on the former site of the Kham Khuyet Gate of the ancient Gia Dinh Citadel, the structure has been transformed into a square and small park featuring a central lake, seating steps and surrounding walkways.
The fountain area, a highlight of Ho Con Rua, has been painted white and turquoise, becoming a favourite spot for young people and families to take photos.
Beyond public sites, many early 20th-century buildings along Le Loi Street in Ben Thanh Ward have also had their façades refurbished, giving the area a more elegant look ahead of Tet Nguyen Dan 2026.
A building at 42 Nguyen Hue Walking Street, a nine-storey structure dating to the 1960s, has also been repainted white, adding a fresh look to the busy pedestrian boulevard.
In addition to historical monuments and old buildings, Ho Chi Minh City is also refurbishing traffic junctions and public facilities across the city.
These projects are expected to be completed before February 10, aiming to present a fresh and vibrant appearance for the city during the traditional Tet holiday.
