Ho Chi Minh City Proposes $660 Million Upgrade for Ma Lang Area and Ga-Gao Market

Ho Chi Minh City has proposed a significant urban renewal project targeting the Ma Lang area and the Ga-Gao Market, with an estimated investment of over 16.3 trillion Vietnamese dong (approximately $660 million). The plan, presented at a mid-year session of the City People's Council, aims to transform these long-established central districts by improving infrastructure and living conditions.

The Ma Lang area, located in Cau Ong Lanh ward and bordered by Nguyen Trai, Tran Dinh Xu, and Nguyen Cu Trinh streets, is characterized by high population density and a large number of aging, closely packed houses. Preliminary surveys indicate that around 1,070 land plots affecting 1,459 households, totaling nearly 4,700 residents, will be impacted by the redevelopment.

Similarly, the Ga-Gao Market area, situated between Nguyen Thai Hoc, Vo Van Kiet, Yersin streets, and a Yersin alley, is a historic residential and commercial zone. Decades of development have led to narrow internal roads, dilapidated housing, and inadequate sanitation and fire safety standards. This phase of the project involves approximately 252 houses, affecting 192 households and around 744 residents.

The city administration views this project as essential for enhancing the quality of life for residents and addressing chronic issues of overloaded and deteriorating infrastructure. For Ma Lang, the goal is to create a modern urban space with upgraded technical and social infrastructure, while efficiently utilizing central land resources. A key objective for the Ga-Gao Market area is to prioritize in-situ resettlement, allowing affected residents to remain within their community, maintain their livelihoods, and minimize disruption.

The project is proposed to be executed under a Build-Transfer (BT) contract, where private investors will fund the urban renewal and infrastructure development. In return, the city plans to compensate investors with land parcels, primarily from the Tan Tao residential area in Tan Tao ward, which spans over 133 hectares within a larger 152-hectare development.