France’s Deso Architecture Company Thursday collected the first prize in the city’s international competition to design sections of the Thu Thiem new urban area.

Swiss company Hager International AG won second place and EDAWin from the Chinese territory of Hong Kong won third prize.

As winner of the International Design Competition, Deso will be offered a contract to design the center square, riverside park and pedestrian bridge of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area on the east bank of the Saigon River in District 2.

Architects from the prize winning companies presented their plans at the day-long ceremony.

According to architect Trang Bao Son, deputy head of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area’s authority, the 13-ha center square will be the largest outdoor public area in Vietnam.