Brian Jeffrey
Located along the Doi Canal in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City, are approximately 10,000 homes marked for relocation.
These homes are primarily temporary structures constructed from wood and metal sheets, tightly packed and encroaching on the canal.
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Similarly, there are impoverished areas along the Xuyen Tam Canal stretching from Binh Thanh District to Go Vap District.
An overview of the impoverished area along the Van Thanh Canal, Binh Thanh District.
The scene of the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien Metro line passing through the impoverished area of the Van Thanh Canal, surrounded by tall buildings and busy urban landscapes.
In District 4, rows of poor-quality houses encroach on the Te Canal.
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Many houses extend over the water, blocking the flow and resulting in the canal being surrounded by waste and debris.
The congested, damp, and unpleasant environment is evident to visitors in these locations.
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Individuals residing in these impoverished areas are constantly concerned about dangers like landslides, water traffic accidents, poor living conditions, and health risks.
As reported by the HCM City Department of Construction, the city has five primary canals totaling more than 105 kilometers within the inner city, facilitating drainage for 14,200 hectares. However, this system is becoming increasingly narrow and polluted.
Since 1993, Ho Chi Minh City has been relocating homes along and on canals to enhance the environment and urban scenery, but the relocation process has been sluggish.
Between 1993 and 2020, Ho Chi Minh City relocated more than 38,185 out of over 65,000 homes that needed relocation; from 2021 to 2025, the city moved only 2,867 homes out of a target of 6,500. Challenges include obstacles in compensation, as residents often lack suitable housing or relocation conditions, and intricate legal complications concerning property ownership and inheritance.
