Phu Tho Racecourse wears new look

Phu Tho Horse Racing Ground (Phu Tho Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) used to be a place of entertainment for Ho Chi Minh City residents, especially for those who love horse racing. Now the land has a new function, with many projects under construction.

14 projects under construction

According to SGGP reporters, Phu Tho Racecourse has been fenced off in each area. Workers are constructing and pouring rocks to make roads. These are the routes connecting main traffic axes such as Le Dai Hanh, Ly Thuong Kiet, Lu Gia and Ba Thang Hai. On the frontage of Ly Thuong Kiet Street, the project to renovate and repair Phu Tho Sports Gymnasium is in the final stage. This is a project invested by the Management Board of Investment and Construction of Civil and Industrial Works of Ho Chi Minh City, starting in April 2025 and expected to be completed in 2026. The most prominent feature in this area is the Phu Tho circus and multi-purpose performance theater located on Lu Gia Street, which is nearly completed. The theater is circular, has a large dome, and seats surrounding the main space with a modern sound and lighting system. This project started in April 2023 and is expected to be handed over this August.

Panoramic view of Phu Tho Racecourse. Photo: HOANG HUNG

Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, Director of the District 11 Construction Investment Project Management Board, said that in the Phu Tho Racecourse area, there are 14 projects being invested in. Of these, 6 projects are invested by the board, including: Project to build a new kindergarten; Project to build a new high school; Project to build a park - entertainment area for teenagers; Project to build a new public park; Project to build infrastructure and roads; Project to renovate and expand Nguyen Thi Nho Primary School.

In addition, 8 projects invested by the Management Board of Investment and Construction of Civil and Industrial Works of Ho Chi Minh City include: Phu Tho Circus and Multi-purpose Performance Theater; Project to build new training house 1; Project to build new training house 2; Project to build new administrative area - Faculty of Physical Education and Sports; Project of City Traditional Arts Center; Project to renovate and repair Phu Tho Sports Gymnasium; Project to renovate and repair Phu Tho Swimming and Diving Club; Project to renovate and repair Phu Tho Sports Gymnasium.

Regarding construction progress, in addition to the Phu Tho circus and multi-purpose performance theater, which is almost completed, the remaining projects are being invested in and built. In particular, the public park project of the Phu Tho Racecourse area with an area of over 7,000m2 is expected to start construction in 2025. "The Phu Tho Racecourse area will not build new high-rise buildings or apartments, so it will not put pressure on urban infrastructure and traffic. The works in the racecourse will be calculated based on the actual needs of the people and will mainly serve sports and entertainment," Mr. Tuan affirmed.

Preservation of the Racecourse Grandstand

Regarding the planning of Phu Tho Racecourse, Mr. Tran Anh Tuan informed that before 2018, the city's policy was to stop organizing horse racing. Since then, the inner core of the racecourse has been almost empty, except for sports facilities. By 2018, the 1/2000 planning of Phu Tho Racecourse area was previously planned by the Department of Planning and Architecture of Ho Chi Minh City and approved by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the 1/2000 zoning plan approved by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on June 22, 2018, the Phu Tho Racecourse area will become a multi-functional area, combining existing and newly built. In particular, the mixed-use area is located near the existing residential area in the Northwest, forming a residential area with an expanded existing primary school, a kindergarten and a concentrated green park area, meeting the social infrastructure needs of the community. Public works, parks, trees, schools, underground parking lots... are located in the central area of the Phu Tho Racecourse area. The existing horse racing grandstand area is studied to be retained as a cultural value... Then, on May 5, 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued a decision approving the local adjustment of the 1/2000 zoning plan of the Phu Tho Racecourse area, adding the content of underground space planning, connecting underground works with above-ground works.

Architect Khuong Van Muoi, former Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects, shared that Phu Tho used to be the largest horse racing track and was formed nearly 100 years ago. This is a sport introduced by the French. During the process of formation and development, there were many apartment buildings around this area. At the same time, the need to form a large-scale circus with a place to raise and train animals, etc. was necessary. Therefore, the current planning of the Phu Tho Racecourse area is suitable for socio -economic development.

More than 70 years of existence of Phu Tho Racecourse

In 1932, the Saigon Horse Racing Association purchased a land area of over 44 hectares in the Phu Tho area (on the routes of Le Dai Hanh, Ly Thuong Kiet, Phu Tho ward today) to build a horse racing track. Phu Tho Racecourse was completed and put into operation in 1936 with a racetrack of 800-3,000m, ranked as one of the largest horse racing tracks in Asia. This place quickly became a major sports entertainment center of Saigon at that time.

After many years of interruption, Phu Tho Racecourse was restored in the form of Phu Tho Sports Club with nearly 600 racehorses and 70 jockeys in 1989. Races continued to take place regularly, with legal betting and attracting local people. In 2004, Phu Tho Sports Club entered into a joint venture with Thien Ma Company Limited to upgrade the infrastructure and operate in a more professional direction with about 850 horses. By 2011, horse racing activities had been suspended, and the area was being renovated according to the city's planning.

NGUYEN ANH

THANH HIEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/truong-dua-phu-tho-khoac-ao-moi-post807533.html