Exactly 20 years ago, in September 2005, Bachy Soletanche Vietnam had the honor of contributing to the construction of Thu Thiem Tunnel, the most critical component of the East-West Boulevard project. This iconic infrastructure connects District 1 with the Thu Thiem New Urban Area.
Those were unforgettable days, when hundreds of engineers and workers worked relentlessly along the banks of the Saigon River, driven by the ambition to conquer a challenge never before attempted in Vietnam: building the first under-river road tunnel across the Saigon River – a historic milestone in the nation’s urban infrastructure.
Project Description:+ Construction period: 09/2005 – 07/2006
+ Scope of works: Diaphragm walls and barrette piles for the tunnel approaches
⦁ 6,069 m² diaphragm wall, 1.0 m thick, 35 m deep
⦁ 58,707 m² diaphragm wall, 1.2 m thick, 35 m deep
⦁ 8,765 m² – 82 barrette piles, 0.8 m × 5.0 m, 35 m deep
+ Scale: A road tunnel crosses under the Saigon River, part of the Saigon East-West Highway– a national key project.
Technical Highlights:
+ The first large-scale diaphragm wall and barrette works constructed on both riverbanks in Vietnam – requiring advanced technology and strict slurry stability control.
+ A special KS grab was designed exclusively for this project, with dimensions of 5.0 m × 0.8 m, allowing the excavation of a 5.0 m-long barrette pile in a single grab – a testament to innovation and technical mastery.
Significance & Legacy:Thu Thiem Tunnel is not only Vietnam’s first under-river road tunnel, but also a bridge between past and future – opening the gateway to the Thu Thiem New Urban Area and affirming Ho Chi Minh City’s stature among Asia’s modern metropolises.
For us, it was more than just a project. It was a technical feat, a collective pride, with Bachy Soletanche Vietnam’s mark forever embedded in one of the city’s most historic infrastructures.
As you drive through Thu Thiem Tunnel today, can you imagine that 20 years ago, along the banks of the Saigon River, hundreds of engineers worked day and night to bring this landmark to life?Which detail of Vietnam’s first under-river tunnel impresses you the most? Please share your thoughts with us!
Bachy Soletanche Vietnam – Build On Us
