There came Thu Thiem tunnel!

Finally, the expected Thu Thiem tunnel which connects District 1 and District 2 has started its operation. Besides trafically joining two contrast districts of the city, this tunnel brings opportunities to abridge the distance between these two areas' development.

from Vnexpress.net

Timeline:
Thu Thiem tunnel has two tunnel ways and the project started in Feb 2005

From Mar 2010 to June 2010, 4 segments of the sunk part were transported 22 km by river from Nhon Trach, Dong Nai to Thu Thiem.

4th Sep 2010: the last concrete mass was successfully poured and
21st Sep 2010: the tunnel was finally junctioned.

21st Nov 2011: Thu Thiem tunnel started its public serving officially.



Welcome Thu Thiem tunnel, Goodbye Thu Thiem ferry port: (link)

from Vnexpress.net

"It's sad not because I will lose my earnings from now on for the closing of the ferry port but because this places has had a strong attachment with me for decades. There were so many memories with it." said a "xe-ôm" (motobike taxi) driver.

"Despite knowing that the tunnel crossing the river is the pride of our city, I still feel sorry when leaving the river port where I worked as a trader before marriage until now my children have grown up. Having a new house in Binh Thanh district, I still cannot forget the ferry's siren, the crowd of commuters" said Mrs.Muoi who sold drinks at one stop of the ferry in district 2.



Banning motobikes traffic from Thu Thiem tunnel?

I think this is one of the most stupid ideas ever about the tunnel. Somebody wrote an article and post to VnExpress.net (link). Luckily, the writing got its right replies. It's as absurd as preventing citizens from using a service that they paid by tax.