Saigon Attractions #23 The Chieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal

The Chieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal in the heart of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City is testament to what can be created from a really bad thing. This old river had become a stagnant canal that literally stunk the whole area out. An open sewer it had become worse and worse for years. The water turned first black then a dull green colour that was offensive in every sense.

One of the most beautiful parts of the city
The problems were caused by a combination of sewerage, stagnation and rotting vegetation. The government had to act and they did, turning the whole area into one of the nicest places in the whole city. This is just about my favourite spot now and the roads of Truong Sa and Hoang Sa that run down either side of it are a constant source of “offices” in which I work. At night the area is buzzing with life.

One of the many coffee shops that serve as my offices
Originally this was the river that was in fact the northern border of the city. In the late 19th century a French gunboat called Avalanche attacked the city. When the French took over they called the river the Arroyo De L’Avalanche. Almost 100 years later at the end of the war with America, the area become home to huge numbers of squatters and over 20 years the river turned into a poisonous black water canal.

One of the temples along the canal's length
In 1993 the city began a $120 million plan to relocate many of these residents and clean up the canal. Uncountable tons of sludge were dredged and subsidised housing with proper sanitation were built. In fact a total of 7,000 houses were demolished.

3T coffee shop
Work proper began in 2003 when 70 kilometres of drains and culverts were constructed. Thousands of trees and shrubs were planted along the banks. wooden benches and fitness equipment were installed for the locals to use free of charge. By 2012 picnics on the banks were a regular sight. Business flourished and the area became what it is today; a haven among the hustle and bustle of city life.

Delightful, clean and green
The water hyacinths that float in are still a problem and a team of some 3 dozen workers collect a staggering 15 tons every day, which is put into a processing plant on the canal bank, processed and taken away.
Water hyacinth collectors.jpg

One of the teams collecting the vast amounts of water hyacinth. Photo Thao Vi

This is a superb part of town and one that is totally missed by most holiday makers. The canal is now teeming with fish and draws many fishermen in the evenings hoping to catch a free meal.

!steemitworldmap 10.792302 lat 106.683219 long The Chieu Loc-Thi Nghe Can D3SCR

For other Saigon attractions see also:

#1 Suoi Tien Theme Park https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/attractions-in-ho-chi-minh-city-suoi-tien-theme-park

#2 Vinh Nghiem pagodahttps://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-vinh-nghiem-pagoda

#3 Notre Dame Basilica https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-s-magnificent-notre-dame-basilica

#4 The Cu Chi Tunnels https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-4-the-cu-chi-tunnels

#5 The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-5-the-municipal-theatre-of-ho-chi-minh-city

#6 People’s Committee Building https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-6-people-s-committee-building

#7 Museum of Vietnamese History https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-7-museum-of-vietnamese-history

#8 The Reunification Palace https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-8-the-reunification-palace

#9 The War Remnants Museum https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-8-the-war-remnants-museum

#10 Nguyen Hue https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-10-nguyen-hue