Ho Chi Minh City pushes forward social housing

In late August, reporters from Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper revisited several social housing construction sites across Ho Chi Minh City.

Quiet sites

At the MR1 social housing project, which was designed to provide more than 700 apartments as part of the Tan Thuan Tay residential area (formerly District 7, now Tan Thuan Ward), the site that hosted a groundbreaking ceremony three years ago now lies largely deserted, being used instead as a parking lot and storage space for construction materials.

The Le Thanh – Tan Kien social housing project (Tan Nhut Commune), which planned four 18-storey apartment blocks and two commercial-service blocks with a total of 1,445 units, broke ground more recently in 2024. However, official reports show it is currently not classified as "under construction."

Like many other projects, the Long Truong Ward social housing project is expected to overcome its current state of stagnation.

Another project raising concerns is the workers’ dormitory at Linh Trung II Industrial Zone (Phase 2, with 350 units), where test piling began three years ago but progress has stalled due to various reasons.

Slightly better progress can be seen at the Long Truong Ward social housing project, which is planned to provide more than 600 units. The site is fenced off with corrugated iron sheets, with dozens of concrete piles in place. 

Rarely, one project that broke ground in 2022 has already been completed and put into use — the Nguyen Son social housing project in Binh Hung Commune, with 242 units.

The broader picture of social housing from 2021 until before the recent administrative merger shows that Ho Chi Minh City has completed six projects, delivering 2,745 apartments. In addition, four projects remain under construction, promising to supply 2,874 apartments in 2025. Overall, the results remain modest compared with the target of 26,200 to 35,000 units for the 2021–2025 period.

New momentum

Recently, the HCMC Management Board for Civil and Industrial Construction Investment Projects held a groundbreaking ceremony for a social housing development at 4 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Binh Thanh Ward. The project carries a total investment of nearly VND 1 trillion on a site of more than 12,000 square meters, aimed at providing resettlement housing for residents affected by the Xuyen Tam Canal renovation project as well as other eligible cases under the regulations.

Nguyen Van Truong, deputy director of the HCMC Management Board for Civil and Industrial Construction Investment Projects, said the development will comprise three 20-storey apartment blocks with a total of 864 units, combining residential space with commercial and service facilities to meet diverse community needs. 

With this project, HCMC authorities expect construction to be completed before 2028, making it a model for new-generation social housing and contributing to improved living standards for residents.

Another highly anticipated project is the HUD Thu Duc social housing development in Hiep Binh Ward, which broke ground on August 19. This is one of 250 projects launched nationwide to celebrate party congresses at all levels ahead of the 14th National Congress and the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2. The project has a total investment of over VND 387 billion and will provide 209 apartments ranging from 51.5 to 69.5 square meters in size.

A core priority

Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, emphasized that the city has been tasked by the Prime Minister to complete 199,400 social housing units by 2030, with 13,040 units targeted for 2025 (including units in Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Binh Duong provinces previously).

Recognizing this as one of its key tasks, the HCMC People's Committee has been urgently directing relevant sectors and local authorities to study and implement the plan. At the same time, efforts are being made to promote decentralization, delegate authority, and minimize administrative procedures to create favorable conditions for businesses to invest in and develop social housing.

According to the HCMC Vice Chairman, many projects are set to break ground or receive approval and investment authorization in the near future.

This will help expand the housing supply in the coming years. These initial results not only reflect the city's strong political determination but also demonstrate a coordinated and methodical approach to urban planning and development, aiming to build a civilized, modern city where every resident has the opportunity to secure housing and establish their livelihood.