When road projects near the park have been completed, the temporary road would be closed and the park would return to its original state, he said.

According to the department, no trees in the park would be cut down for the new road, which will link Pham Van Hai and Phan Thuc Duyen streets

The department said it is seeking approval from the city government while the Tan Binh District administration has already agreed with the plan.

Since it was announced last month, the plan to open a road inside Hoang Van Thu Park has faced criticism from local residents, who said the park is a rare green space that should not be disturbed.

The Tan Binh District administration had itself protested the plan. The district is currently upgrading the park using a VND15 billion fund set up by the city government.

Traffic on streets leading to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, about eight kilometers to the north of the city center, has worsened recently with the erection of many street barriers.

Reported by Nguyen Mi