Ho Chi Minh City to clear thousands of canal-side homes by 2030

Ho Chi Minh City plans a major urban renewal initiative, targeting the relocation of more than 41,500 houses situated on and along its canals by 2030. This ambitious project aims to clear 93% of the canal-side housing that was addressed in a previous phase from 1993 to 2025.

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The poor people in the neighborhood only hope for reasonable compensation. If I receive money, I can find a place to live myself, buy a small house in Di An, that would be fine.

Residents living near canals like Van Thanh express a mix of anticipation and concern. For many, like Nguyen Thi Mai, whose family of 10 shares a small 80-square-meter home, the current conditions are dire. She describes the overwhelming stench from accumulated waste during hot weather, which permeates their living spaces. Mai hopes for fair compensation to find a new home, even in a suburban area like Di An.

Similarly, Pham Thi Phat, who has lived in a modest house by Kenh Doi canal for decades, is accustomed to the recurring problem of waste accumulating during low tides. She looks across to the north bank of Kenh Doi, where renovation projects are underway, and eagerly awaits similar improvements on her side. "Only when both banks are completed will Kenh Doi truly be revived, and the streets become cleaner and more spacious," she stated.

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Only when both banks are completed will Kenh Doi truly be revived, and the streets become cleaner and more spacious.

These areas, including Van Thanh canal and Kenh Doi, are among many in Ho Chi Minh City suffering from severe pollution due to rapid urbanization. Since 1993, the city has undertaken numerous projects to clear canal-side housing, with notable successes along the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe and Tau Hu - Ben Nghe canals. Current large-scale projects include the Tham Luong - Ben Cat - Nuoc Len canal and the Xuyen Tam canal.

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The state clears the land in which year, my sisters and I will comply in that year. I just hope for reasonable compensation. When we receive the money, my sisters and I will pool it to buy a small house together in the suburbs, prioritizing proximity to the market for a stable residence and convenience for business and livelihood.