Binh Duong Riverside

Overview

Binh Duong Riverside is a 3.1 million m² eco-urban masterplan located in Tan An Commune, approximately 30 kilometres north of central Ho Chi Minh City and five kilometres from Thu Dau Mot. Set along a prominent bend of the Saigon River, the project transforms a predominantly agricultural landscape into a mixed-use residential and leisure destination shaped by water, ecology and resort-style living. The masterplan brings together residential neighbourhoods, commercial destinations, public facilities, tourism, recreation and extensive open space within a connected waterfront framework. Rather than imposing a conventional urban grid on the site, the plan builds on its riverside location, existing canals and rural character to establish a distinctive community where urban development and the natural landscape are closely integrated.

Project Vision

The vision was to create an ecological living and resort destination for communities west of Thu Dau Mot, combining the qualities of a waterfront retreat with the services and opportunities of a complete urban district. The planning strategy balances diverse housing, mixed-use development and community infrastructure with public access to landscape, water and recreational amenities. Five principles shaped the proposal: ecological living, resort-style amenities, a natural landscape rooted in the site’s agricultural character, environmentally responsive urban development and a mixed-use framework capable of accommodating higher-density buildings where appropriate. Sustainability, waterfront access, urban farming and walkability were treated as central elements of the project rather than standalone features.

Design Response

Water provides the defining idea for the masterplan. Drawing on the importance of rivers, lakes, fisheries and farming within Vietnamese culture, the proposal creates a major central public space around The Magical Lake. This landscape destination becomes the social and recreational heart of the development, linking new neighbourhoods with leisure, commercial and tourism uses. From the lake, a series of visual, pedestrian and landscape corridors extends towards the Saigon River and the surrounding urban context. These connections divide the large site into identifiable neighbourhoods while maintaining access to the waterfront and reinforcing the relationship between development, landscape and water. Ten character zones introduce a varied mix of environments across the masterplan, including ecological residences, entertainment and leisure districts, Saigon Palm, a crafts village, floating homes and gated residential communities. Together, these areas offer different forms of living and recreation while contributing to a coherent overall destination.

Key Design Features:

• Water-led masterplan centred around The Magical Lake and connected to the Saigon River
• Ten character zones combining ecological living, tourism, entertainment, culture and waterfront recreation
• Diverse residential offer integrating villas, shophouses, apartments and social housing

Landscape & Public Realm

Landscape is the principal organising framework of Binh Duong Riverside. The central lake, riverfront, canals, parks and green corridors form a continuous open-space system that connects residential districts with commercial, cultural and recreational destinations. The wider public-realm strategy incorporates central parks, neighbourhood green spaces, waterfront promenades and public and private landscapes. The report identifies open space as approximately 68% of the wider study area, reflecting the ambition to retain a generous relationship between development, water and nature. Public spaces are planned to support a broad range of activities, from everyday walking and recreation to outdoor dining, waterfront leisure and tourism. Urban and smart farming, botanical gardens and agricultural experiences maintain a connection to the site’s existing rural identity, while the central lake gives the development a memorable civic and recreational focus.

Mobility & Infrastructure

The movement strategy establishes a clear three-level road hierarchy comprising an arterial boulevard, primary collector roads and secondary collector streets. This structure distributes traffic efficiently across the large site while supporting the individual neighbourhoods and character zones. Pedestrian corridors provide direct connections between neighbourhoods, parks, the central lake and the riverfront, making walking an integral part of the urban experience. The proposal also explores new river crossings and stronger connections to Nguyen Chi Thanh Road, Thu Dau Mot and the wider regional transport network. The site occupies a strategic position near major planned infrastructure, including Ring Roads 3 and 4 and regional expressway corridors. Its river frontage also offers the potential to combine land and water transport, with the Saigon River capable of accommodating smaller vessels, boats and yachts. Flood resilience and water management are fundamental to the planning response. The report considers regulating lakes, sustainable surface-water drainage, flood-protection measures and integrated stormwater infrastructure as part of the project’s long-term environmental strategy.

Performance & Impact

Binh Duong Riverside creates a comprehensive framework for transforming a largely agricultural riverside site into a sustainable urban and leisure destination. The masterplan is designed to accommodate approximately 75,705 residents across an estimated 31,972 homes, supported by commercial uses, public facilities and a broad range of community services. The residential programme includes villas, shophouses, apartments and social housing, providing different housing choices within a connected mixed-use environment. Approximately 228,200 m² is allocated to social housing, with capacity for nearly 16,000 units and more than 27,000 residents, supporting both housing affordability and future resettlement needs. Beyond housing, the project creates opportunities for tourism, commerce, education and employment. Its waterfront attractions, crafts village, agricultural experiences and leisure districts are intended to draw visitors from the wider region while generating economic activity for local communities.

Performance Highlights:

• Creates a 3,100,000 m² eco-urban and resort destination along the Saigon River
• Provides capacity for approximately 75,705 residents across nearly 32,000 homes
• Establishes The Magical Lake as the heart of an extensive waterfront, landscape and recreational network

“Binh Duong Riverside demonstrates how water can shape both the identity and performance of a new urban community. By placing The Magical Lake at the centre of the masterplan and connecting it with the Saigon River, we created a framework where housing, landscape, tourism and public life come together within a distinctly Vietnamese setting.”

Freek Jansen

Branch Manager - Vietnam

Project Facts

The following information outlines the key details of the project.

• Client: Private
• Location: Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
• Size: 3,100,000 m²
• Status: Concept Masterplan Completed
• Scope: Concept Master Planning