The Sai Gon River, integral to Ho Chi Minh City for over 300 years, is being reimagined as a catalyst for urban growth. Despite its historical significance, the city turned its back on the river from 1975 until the early 2000s, neglecting waterway transportation. However, recent efforts have aimed at revitalizing the riverside.

HCM City has begun methodical planning to rehabilitate canals and arroyos and address unlicensed riverside projects. In 2022, a competition by Tuoi Tre Newspaper sought innovative ideas for the river's development. Son, an expert consulted during a survey trip, emphasized three points: the river's untapped potential, the need to avoid high-rise buildings near the river, and the importance of restructuring waterway transport.

Son suggests drawing inspiration from global models like the Seine in France for organizing riverside spaces and the Huangpu in Shanghai for greenery. He envisions the Sai Gon River as the city’s landscape backbone, preserving historical sections and developing new ones. The river's transformation should be like a symphony, blending dynamic and peaceful areas, creating diverse experiences as one travels along its course.