Innovation, Creativity, Sustainability: Socialization Models for Old Public Buildings in Ba Ria Ward – Ho Chi Minh City

In the context of rapid urbanization in Ho Chi Minh City, optimizing public spaces and assets is not only an urgent need but also an opportunity to generate long-term economic and social value. In Ba Ria Ward, many old administrative and public buildings, such as libraries, education offices, and traditional shopping centers, face the risk of being underutilized or abandoned. Therefore, proposing models for the socialization and commercial use of these old buildings not only helps reduce maintenance costs but also creates dynamic and attractive spaces for the community.

APA Consultant has partnered with the local authorities to develop strategies and propose socialization models that transform these old buildings into modern, multifunctional community centers integrated into the urban rhythm. Instead of letting public assets go to waste, the approach reorganizes and repurposes the existing structures, making use of their current framework and implementing business models that align with social, cultural, educational, and recreational needs.

Creative Cultural & Community Development Center

One of the first highlights of this strategy is the renovation of an old library in Ba Ria Ward into a Creative Cultural & Community Development Center. Covering approximately 500 m² across three floors, the project aims to transform the traditional library space into a multifunctional center that supports learning, creativity, and social interaction. No longer constrained by the original structure, the new center is designed to offer flexible spaces such as a book café, an open “learning lab,” creative studios, and cultural event areas catering to a wide range of users. Furthermore, the establishment of a modern operational and financial model including partnership collaborations, revenue sharing, or leasing arrangements ensures the center operates sustainably without being entirely dependent on the public budget. International models such as Idea Stores (UK), Tokyo Book and Bed, The Long Room (Singapore), and The Do School (Germany) were also referenced to optimize community experiences and creative education.

Ba Ria Commercial Center – Revitalizing Urban Economic Spaces

Following this is the proposal to socialize the traditional Ba Ria Commercial Center in the Phuoc Trung area, Ba Ria City – Vung Tau. Covering over 13,681 m² of land with nearly 40,614 m² of floor area, the center previously operated as a conventional shopping space but currently lacks appeal for local residents and tourists. The proposed solution is to transform it into a modern entertainment, sports, dining, and shopping complex that aligns with current consumer preferences while stimulating urban economic activities. The project suggests restructuring the first floor for dining and street food, the second floor as a modern shopping center with quality retail services, and the third floor as a multifunctional community space featuring gym, entertainment, event areas, family playgrounds, and cultural experience zones. Through this approach, the center is expected to attract both residents and visitors, creating a vibrant destination for entertainment, commerce, and community engagement.

Ba Ria Training & Tourism Service Practicum Center

Another example of an effective public asset reuse model is the proposal to transform the old headquarters of the Department of Education and Training at 172 Nguyen Huu Tho into the Ba Ria Training & Tourism Service Practicum Center. The existing space is restructured into a highly connected campus for practical training in tourism, hospitality, and F&B, providing professional instruction while allowing direct interaction with real-world service operations. This new center not only serves theoretical training but also functions as a practical service environment for students, linking businesses and the market, and creating a professional, modern learning-and-practice setting aligned with the local tourism industry's need for high-quality human resources.

The proposals for socializing old public buildings in Ba Ria Ward are designed to optimize the use of public assets and renovate existing spaces while creating dynamic centers that serve learning, recreation, sports, and cultural activities for a wide range of groups. Once renovated and operated under a socialization model, these buildings not only meet current usage needs but also generate long-term economic and social value, strengthen connections within the local community, and open up opportunities for sustainable development of other public facilities within the urban area.