[Photos] Changes Over Time: Saigon's Canals (2002 - 2014) Part II

Due to the popularity of our previous piece which illustrated the physical changes along Saigon’s canals, we’ve managed to cobble together a new set of photos.

A major feature of Saigon’s recent urban development has been the implementation of major infrastructure projects including upgrading canals across the city. The first major project, predominantly funded by the World Bank, was implemented along the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe canal. Another prominent endeavour, the construction of the Vo Van Kiet Highway and the dredging of the adjacent canal, was funded by Japanese donor organizations.

Michael Waibel, editor of the TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City photo book, first took photos of the area in September 2003 and has revisited the area regular basis over the past decade.

Related Articles:

- [Photos] Changes Over Time: Saigon's Canals (2003 - 2014) Part I

- [Photos] Looking Back at the Development of Phu My Hung (2003-2005)

- [Photos] Changes to Saigon’s Skyline (2003-2013)

These photos show a tremendous number of physical upgrades that include urban changes along the waterways; massive reinforcement of canal walls; the erection of green areas that serve as public spaces and the widespread demolition of marginal settlements in the course of redevelopment.

Some of the photos shown will be included in the planned November release of the second edition of TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City. The photos from 2014 were taken by Henning Hilbert, co-editor of the book. The photo from 2008 was taken by Rosalina Babourkova, The time-line 2002-2012 showing the situation at Tau Hu Canal was taken by Roland Eckert, another contributor to the photo book.