Berjaya Land Bhd (BLand) has plans to build a RM12 billion university township in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – a first for the country.

Chief executive officer Datuk Francis Ng Sooi was quoted saying that the township will span over an area of approximately 1,000ha, with construction to take between eight to 10 years.
The project will include a town centre with offices, commercial blocks, hotels and convention facilities.

BLand had recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Management Board of the Northwest Metropolitan Area of Ho Chi Minh City, with a concrete agreement to be signed once details are finalised.

According to Ng, the future city’s masterplan will comprise civic and administrative zones, an education corridor, residential precincts, a river port, cruise centre, recreation parks, open spaces and sporting venues.

The blueprint for the proposed developed is expected to be presented to the Vietnamese authorities within the next 12 months.

In the interim, construction on BLand’s prior project, a RM1.2 billion residential and commercial development in Hanoi, has already started.

The project, undertaken by joint venture company Berjaya-Handico 12 Co Ltd, will comprise apartments, bungalows, serviced apartments, commercial centre and schools.

Phase 1 features two tower blocks of apartments with 148 units and a total saleable area of about 16,989sq meters. The mixed development is slated for completion in about five years.