Ho Chi Minh City is implementing a plan to relocate and resettle thousands of houses along canals and creeks to improve urban flow, revitalize the city, and create land for economic development. The plan, submitted by the Department of Construction to the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, is projected to pilot in District 8 with the goal of relocating all residents living along rivers, canals, and creeks by 2030.
Ho Chi Minh City plans to collect 164 trillion VND from land along canals and creeks – 1
Challenges and Scope of the Project:
Currently, Ho Chi Minh City has 398 relocation projects along canals and creeks that haven’t been implemented, impacting approximately 39,600 houses. The total projected cost for the entire project is substantial. The Department of Transport initially estimated a total allocation of 221.37 trillion VND, encompassing:
- Compensation and resettlement: 130.68 trillion VND for households eligible for the policy.
- Construction of social housing: 10.692 trillion VND for households not eligible for the policy.
- Infrastructure development: 80.00 trillion VND for dredging and canal renovation.
Implementation Plan and Economic Benefits:
The plan is expected to be finalized and submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee for approval in 2025. From 2025 to 2026, resettlement housing and social housing projects will be developed alongside canal and creek renovation projects. The ultimate goal is to complete the entire process by 2030. After the relocation, land along the canals and creeks will be auctioned, selected by investors or sold through a bidding process, to build housing, commercial, and service projects, with an expected revenue of 164.111 trillion VND.
Lessons and Experiences from the Past:
From 1993 to the present, Ho Chi Minh City has relocated and cleared land from 44,338 houses along canals and creeks. However, some periods have witnessed lower relocation success rates. For example, from 2011 to 2015, despite a target of 14,101 houses, only 4,125 were relocated; from 2016 to 2020, the target of 20,000 houses was only achieved by 2,479; and from 2021 to 2025, the target of 6,500 houses was met by only 1,447. These figures highlight the need for practical and effective solutions in the project’s implementation.
Post-Relocation Solutions:
Ho Chi Minh City will focus on “post-relocation” solutions, supporting residents with stable livelihoods, jobs, finances, and social welfare, while facilitating community integration, ensuring legal rights, and streamlining administrative procedures.
Conclusion:
Ho Chi Minh City’s plan to relocate houses along canals and creeks is a strategically important project for sustainable urban development. Despite the challenges, with strong determination, comprehensive solutions, and support for residents, Ho Chi Minh City can successfully complete this project and gain significant economic benefits.
