The Vietnam Nutifood Nutrition Food Joint Stock Company (Nutifood) and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport signed a sponsorship agreement on December 4 for the construction of a pedestrian bridge across the Saigon River.

Under the agreement, NutiFood will cover all investment capital for the project in accordance with the policy, planning, and design plan approved by Ho Chi Minh City. Total funding is estimated at more than VND1 trillion ($41.21 million).

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai said that during the city’s development, different leaders decided to promote all resources to quickly develop urban infrastructure and embellishments with the goal of becoming a rapidly developed and sustainable urban area in harmony with international integration.

He also expects that the pedestrian bridge will not only serve transport purposes but also become an architectural work that is a highlight and tourist attraction along the Saigon River.

Mr. Tran Bao Minh, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nutifood, said the bridge will be a new symbol of Ho Chi Minh City, facilitating links between District 1 and Thu Duc city and the Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

The 500-meter long bridge spans Bach Dang Wharf Park in District 1 and the south of Thu Thiem New Urban Area Central Square in Thu Duc city, and will resemble a mangrove palm leaf, which is a familiar image in Vietnam’s south.