Waterways and urban morphology of Saigon hochiminh city case study of xuyen tam canal area in ward 1 and 2, Binh Thanh district

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WATERWAYS AND URBAN MORPHOLOGY 
OF SAIGON HOCHIMINH CITY 
CASE STUDY OF XUYEN TAM CANAL AREA 
IN WARD 1 AND 2, BINH THANH DISTRICT 
Hanh Vu 
University of Architecture Hochiminh City, 
196 Pasteur District 1, Hochiminh City Vietnam 
E-Mail: hanh.vuthihong@uah.edu.vn 
ABSTRACT 
Saigon- Hochiminh City (HCMC) has a long history of water-based 
development, defined by entire system of water transport routes, water-based 
living culture and productivities. Today, due to the declines of water 
transport and water-related social economic activities, water-based 
settlements have degraded the qualities of their living and working 
environments, negatively contributing to images of the city with pollutions, 
slums and garbage filled. 
In order to upgrade the conditions, improve water landscape, attract 
investments and accumulate economic growth, city government, with 
financial and technical supports from national and international levels, has 
carried many projects on water upgrading and redevelopment. The general 
objectives have been recorded as (1) (completely or partly) evictions of 
water-based communities/households, (2) constructions or widening of water 
- side roads, and (3) renovations and developments in vacant areas acquired 
from land pulling and readjustment. 
However, the effectiveness of evictions and resettlements of large 
number of households, the incomprehensive and passive plans for spatial 
renovations and upgrading after road constructions, and the demolitions of 
lots of valuable buildings have been questioned. 
If only are the values of water - based characteristics convincingly 
identified, the responsive and sensitive solutions for these areas are 
reasonably appropriate. This paper develops a framework to analyze values 
of these settlements from various aspects of spaces based upon 
morphological approach: the physical, the behavioral and emotional 
characters. Then, taking a section of Xuyen Tam canal as a case study, this 
paper applies the framework to analyze and discuss its future spatial 
transformation. 
Key words: Saigon, Hochiminh city, HCMC, canal, values, character, 
physical, behavioral, spatial, emotional, identities, transformations, Xuyên 
Tâm. 
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1. INTRODUCTION 
In Saigon-HCMC, areas along sides and on river/canals have been places and homes of many 
people. Thanks to the dense water network of natural and man-made water channels (together called 
canals here), water transport and diverse water-based working and living activities have become 
identifiable elements [1, 2]. 
 Over long transformations, water-based communities have got smaller and moved away from 
water whenever they can afford to leave [1,2,3,4]; canals are only place for whom having social 
economic constraints. The so-called messy, polluted and degraded canals and their communities have 
expanded to all canal areas in the city centre during 1960s – 1970s, and the situations returned to the 
waterways that receive less official attention and control during1975-1990s. 
To solve the problems of water, air and visual pollutions, the declines of social cultural 
environments, at the same time to attract more investments and stimulate economic growth, many 
canal upgrading projects have been carried out, commonly aiming at: 
- Evictions of houses on and along sides of water channels; 
- Water-side roads constructions; 
- Spatial renovation of areas along sides, spare lands for larger scale developments within 
debatable buffer zones. 
If these are appropriate, then the next task is to research and propose suitable spatial development 
models and resettlements for the evicted communities. However, according to a PhD research done in 
2010 (Vu, 2010), every water channels in Saigon HCMC has different roles and contributions to ‘the 
greats and falls’ of the city; among which belonging spatial elements such as roads, buildings, plants, 
and living cultures have been also differentiated. As a result, a prototype of either conservation or 
development applied in such areas has been always questionable. East-West highway (later Vo Van 
Kiet Boulevard) is an example. Clearly, the road construction and the clearance of canal housing have 
brought a new ‘civilized, modern clean and tidy image’ to the area [2,,3,5]. However, drawbacks 
remained such as the evictions of a large number of 20,000 households, controversial resettlements 
sites and policies, the disconcertment of spatial development in ‘post road construction’, and the 
removal and demolitions of many valuable architecture have been negative points of the project [2]. 
2. FRAMEWORK TO ANALYZE SPATIAL IDENTITIES OF SPACES 
In any human settlement, aspects of spaces include (1) physical attribute, (2) activities and (3) 
meanings (Relph (1976), Bentley (2012), Vu (2012, 2017) : 
- Physical attributes/forms): include (1) natural elements such as terrain, topography, water 
surface, water channels, trees and plants, etc), (2) the built fabric such as spatial forms, architecture, 
road/street, amenities and facilities to serve human’s needs. These elements are perceived by people 
using human’s senses; resulted in what is called ‘cognitive dimension of space’; 
- Activities: including (mostly) human activities and of other creatures on earth. These 
activities occur in different time, at different spaces and with different routines/manners; however are 
divided into two categories: passive activities and active activities. All activities occurring in one 
space create ‘behavioral dimension’ of that space. Some activities happen regularly in one space ... ased Assessment 
Values given to each dimension of space are relatively quantified from a field survey where 
opinions of whom involve in the transformation of water-based settlements are gathered based upon 
the framework developed above. And depending on the purpose of the research, different scales of 
spatial analysis are focused; in many cases, ranging from: 
- Locations of typical settlements in a specific area/city/region; 
- Distribution of water-based buildings including housing and public facilities; and 
relationship with water and road/land; 
- Characteristics of housing including structure, spatial organization, façade, interior, and 
furniture, etc. 
While morphological approach helps understand physical dimension of space, narrative approach 
allows understandings of how physical forms relate to social cultural and economic patterns of each 
settlement/ house. 
3.2 Canals and spatial identities of Saigon HCMC – an analytical example 
A research in 2010 [2,3] figured out 05 different water classes of which the location of each class 
in distance relationship with the city center was not necessarily important (see map with 5 classes in 
Figure 3 below). Instead, human settlements and their living culture attached have influenced the 
ways people perceived spaces; therefore, their behavioral and emotional dimensions of spaces 
consequently affected. Yet, it is evidenced that water in Saigon HCMC has played crucial impacts on 
the three dimensions of city space/form, from the existence of dense water network, countless bridges, 
and many road names starting with water- related figures such as Port/Dock/Quay (Bến) (i.e Bến Bình 
Đông, Bến Ba Đình (District 8), Bến Chương Dương (District 1), Bến Nhà Rồng, Bến Vân Đồn (Dist 
4), Bến Hàm Tử (District 6)), to layers of houses on and along Saigon river, and canals in the city. 
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Fig 2: Classifications of canals according to ‘values’ – a case of Saigon HCMC [2,3] 
(Although waternetwork is hierachical like road/street network, individual values and its contributions to the 
identities of relating areas are not necessarily accordingly) 
According to the research on the roles of canals and identities of Saigon HCMC[2] the perceptions are 
as following: 
- Regardless of ethnic backgrounds, gender, age, and social political roles, majority of people 
were aware and appreciate the important roles of canals in the identities of Saigon HCMC, 
contributing to not only physical but also behavioral and emotional attributes of Saigon HCMC’s 
image. (Fig 4) 
- Housing along canals and open spaces along have been crucial elements of urban morphology 
generally and waterfront landscape in particularly; however, in certain periods especially currently 
have not fulfilled the roles and played negative impacts on both the historic values and future 
potentials. 
- Social aspects such as living culture, jobs, behaviors, personal distinctive characteristics, 
surprisingly, have not been affected by water. People who live long enough in this land can easily 
adapt to constantly changing living conditions. 
- The local people easily accept upgrading solutions as long as they bring green, clean and 
beautiful living environment, facilitating variety of social cultural activities along canals (the physical 
and the behavioral dimensions). However, the emotional dimension of space is achieved if only do 
they feel familiar with both. 
Fig 3: Framework to analyze how waterways help diversify the identities of urban landscape of Saigon 
HCMC [2] 
Functions and activities Physical forms 
Meanings and experiences 
- Water transport: freight and 
passengers 
- Urban water manipulator and 
drainage system 
- Economic activities on and 
along water 
- Daily and festival 
recreational activities 
- Shapes, sizes, and distributions of 
water channels; 
- Relationships with other urban 
morphological elements: 
+ Street network 
+ Public spaces 
+ Architecture: buildings, 
infrastructure 
+ Other physical spatial attributes 
Historic and cultural values 
Familiar and friendliness 
Satisfaction 
Identities 
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4. WHICH DIRECTION FOR THE FUTURE OF WATERWAYS IN SAIGON HCMC? 
4.1 Current directions 
In many canal upgrading projects, it is commonly seen as followings: 
- The removal/eviction of water-related communities due to new developments: this is 
questionable since many research have shown the demolishment of many historic valuable buildings 
and landscape architecture, the eviction of more than 20,000 canal households; the new chaotic spatial 
development and the ongoing drawbacks of resettlement policies/program 
- Waterside road(s) construction: Roads along water channels with high-speed vehicles tend to 
disconnect the water from surrounding activities; a linear park next to the water hardly accommodates 
variety of social and cultural activities for local people in daily lives. In addition, from the perspective 
of commuters using waterways, this stereotype is not so interesting too. 
- Changes of water- based buildings/architecture due to new demanded land uses and 
renovation/new development: 
 Conservations of ‘heritage buildings’: since ‘heritage buildings’ normally listed under 
different administrative agencies (national, provincial, and local levels), the lists miss quite a 
lot, especially since they only focus on public uses and physical aspects of buildings; 
 Renovation: This tendency is applied mainly to areas with private properties that hardly 
withdraw and readjust land uses or be combined plots. These are commonly seen in the 
waterside architecture, not ‘floating’ architecture or settlements; 
 New development: applied to big land plots, possible to withdraw and readjust land uses, 
potential for new investments and tourism-related development. 
In reality, architecture development tends to go in after waterside road construction, resulted 
in chaotic images with odd shapes and size plots, controversial architecture styles, height, and 
densities. 
4.2 Value- based assessment and an example for a canal section rehabilitation 
As spatial characters of areas along sides and nearby water channels are more or less affected by 
that water course, the value-based analysis should not be statically limited in any distances from the 
water edges or buffer zones. The surveyed areas should consider the comprehensive site that 
specifically defined and amended throughout the survey, historically and currently. For that reason, 
the following example chose the area of Xuyen Tam canal in Binh Thanh District. 
From a wetland located in the edge of the citadel and later out skirt of a modern colonial city, 
disguising the Gia Dinh of Viet people from the French colonists and their allies, this place has 
significant water landscape values dated back to 1690-1860 (natural blue and green spaces, Le Van 
Duyet temples, the citadel gate, the port-boat market). Later, with its first roads and tramway, it is 
crucial for the city transportation, connecting the core center to the North-East areas (1860-1960), 
following settlements with colonial architectural stereotypes; the water edges somehow still remain 
wild. During 1960-1975, this area was one of the busiest locations for commercial and trading 
activities, following diverse social cultural footprints evidenced via architecture and public spaces that 
are somehow relating to water (1975- today); the built fabric along the canals is obviously considered 
less valuable. 
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Fig 4: Canal helps identify morphological patterns at Xuyen Tam canal Section [8] 
Fig 5: Public buildings and public spaces as attractors of the areas; however, seem not very relevant to (Xuyen 
Tam) canal close by [8] 
Natural water landscape values Circulation network- 
tramway 
Commercial hub then Social 
cultural belongings 
Devalued 
compared to 
similar 
strategic 
The deduction 
of greenery and 
water areas 
(green color); 
vice verse the 
built fabric got 
denser over 
time (blue and 
yellow color) 
TODAY 
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The current situation 
Fig 6: Images show issues of flood, pollution, degrade of waterways, disconnected insecure small alleys, yet 
potentials of the water elements to sold problems and enrich social cultural characters [8] 
Fig 7: Morphological values of a canal section of Xuyen Tam, Ward 1- 2, Binh Thanh District [8] 
Project’s Objectives 
- Urban voids for public uses 
- Green spaces network 
connected with waterfront and 
significant attractors 
- Improve living environment 
- Improve environmental 
qualities 
- Attractions for local uses 
and visitors 
- Increase life’s qualities 
- Maximize Public transport 
- Revitalize historic values: 
local attractiveness 
Functions and activities Physical forms 
Meanings and experiences 
- Urban water manipulator and drainage 
system; 
- Social cultural and economic activities on 
and along water; 
- Daily and festival recreational activities. 
- Historic axes: tramway, and Dinh Tien Hoang 
- Reasonably free from heavy load traffic 
- Public buildings are well served the local communities 
- Existing blue and green system 
- Low rise architecture = potentials for vertical development, 
greenery and open spaces 
Historic and cultural memorial values about 
tramways, historic architecture 
Familiar and friendliness 
Satisfaction on living environment 
Identities 
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Fig 8: Proposed Landuse Plan for the research area [8] 
Fig 9: Proposed Street Sections with water (alike) element for the research area [8] 
MARKET/ 
ATTRACTOR 
FOOD SHOPS 
TOURIST 
SERVICES 
HUB 
MAIN SQUARE 
WATERFRONT 
SQUARE 
TRAMWAY STATION 
TRAMWAY 
SHOPS/CAFÉ 
TRAMWAY STATION 
LOW-MIDDLE RISE 
APPARTMENTS 
THE INNER BLUE: NOT 
NECESSARILY REAL BLUE BUT 
OPEN DRAINAGE 
INNER CANAL (ALIKE) AT 
SMALL ALLEY 
BUI HUU NGHIA STREET SECTION WITH TRAMWAY, OPEN WATERFRONT (LEFT) AND TOURIST 
ORIENTED SHOPHOUSES ALONG CANAL (RIGHT) 
BOAT 
STATION 
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Fig 10: Proposed Master Plan for the research area [8] 
LEGENDS: 
1. LE VAN DUYET TEMPLE 
2. BA CHIEU MARKET 
3. GIA DINH CHURCH 
4. CULTURAL AND TOURIST CENTRE 
5. SHOP HOUSES 
6. LOW-MIDDLE RISE APARTMENT 
7. LOCAL GARDEN/PARK 
8. INNER CANAL PARK 
9. UNDERGOUND PARKING LOT 
10. TRAMWAY STATION 
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Fig 11: Proposed water-based public space and tourist attraction in the research area [8] 
5. CONCLUSIONS 
Solutions on upgrading and development of 
the waterfront and water - based settlements in 
Saigon, HCMC need to have more 
comprehensive approach to ensure the protection 
of distinctive values and benefits to all, 
according to case-to-case basic. In order to 
enable those values to be identified and 
maximized, in-depth analytical understandings 
and the program to balance different demands for 
living, public good and environmental protection 
are critical from different stakeholders. While the 
overall water network need strategic and holistic 
approach, to the small and less historically 
significant channels like Xuyen Tam, 
local/community - based solutions might be more 
useful, starting from increasing public awareness 
and their behavior toward waterways. 
REFERENCES 
[1] Vu and Duong, 2017, Water-based Housing Morphologies in 
Mekong Delta, Vietnam, Conference paper: Environmental 
solutions in Building construction and properties development, 
MGSU and UAH, Hochiminh City. 
[2] Vu, Thi Hong Hanh, 2016, (Canal-based Houses in Hochiminh 
City, Issues of Identifications and Respondents to the water-based 
Distinctive Urban Spatial Values (Nhà ở trên kênh rạch tp HCM, 
vấn đề nhận diện và đề xuất hướng phát triển đặc trưng không gian 
kiến trúc cảnh quan đô thị), Conference paper, Houses along canal 
in HCMC, HCMC People Committee and HCMC Architects 
Association, HCMC, 11/2016 
[3] Vu, Thi Hong Hanh, 2010, Canals and identities of Saigon 
HCMC, PhD thesis, Oxford Brookes University, UK 
[4] Dương, Q.V, 2016, Đặc trưng nhà ở dọc sông rạch vùng Đồng 
Bằng Sông Cửu Long (Distinctive Housing on and along Water in 
Mekong Delta), Master Dissertation, University of Architecture 
HCMC 
[5] HCMC People Committee, 2010, East-West highway Project, 
Report, HCMC 
[6] Relp, E, 1976, Place and Placeless, London: Pion, UK 
[7] Bentley, I, 2012, Responsive Urban design, short course, UAH, 
HCM 
[8] Vu and MA24 students, 2018, Urban morphology Studio 
project, Course Module, MA Program, UAH, Hochiminh City 
INNER CANAL (ALIKE) PARK) 
WATER TAXI STATION AND TOURIST ORIENTED 
TYPICAL SACTION OF BUI HUU NGHIA STREET WITH REACTIVATED TRAMWAY 
LEGENDS: 
1. LE VAN DUYET 
TEMPLE 
2. BA CHIEU MARKET 
3. GIA DINH CHURCH 
4. CULTURAL AND 
TOURIST CENTRE 
5. SHOP HOUSES 
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