Brian Jeffrey
Binh Hung Hoa Cemetery, covering over 40 hectares and established before 1975, is set to be relocated to make room for infrastructure development, such as schools and parks, by 2025. It currently houses around 54,000 graves and is located in Binh Tan District.
The area on Tan Ky Tan Quy Street has already been cleared, with plans to construct a primary school with 30 classrooms in Binh Tan District. The cemetery’s crematorium remains operational for now but will be relocated to make way for the school.
The second phase of the relocation project, involving moving 4,239 graves, is nearing completion, with the third phase expected to finish by 2025. Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City, Bui Xuan Cuong, has directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to oversee the relocation process in collaboration with Binh Tan District.
The area being cleared will be transformed into a secondary school with 41 classrooms. During the relocation process, unclaimed graves have been managed by district authorities.
A total of 104 households in the relocation project area are identified to be affected by the land clearance.
Residents like 70-year-old Mrs. Truong Thi Hung, who has been living in the area for years, have been involved in maintaining graves and assisting visitors. While saddened by the change, she remains hopeful for the positive transformation of the area.
Despite uncertainties about the relocation timeline, many households are anxious about the upcoming move, considering the cemetery’s current use as a grazing ground, fishing spot, and recreational area.
The relocation of Binh Hung Hoa Cemetery aims to enhance the living environment for over 300,000 residents in the region, contributing to urban renewal efforts and addressing security and public order challenges. The project is being fast-tracked by Binh Tan District for completion by April 30, 2025.
Since 2010, Ho Chi Minh City has been planning the cemetery’s relocation to support urban development, environmental cleanliness, and social welfare investments. The project is divided into three phases, with relocation activities starting in 2014. Funding has been allocated for compensations and developments in previous phases. Efforts are ongoing to expedite the successful completion of the project.
Plans have been made to repurpose the cleared land, allocating space for educational facilities alongside commercial and public areas. The transformation of this significant cemetery site marks a crucial step in the city’s urban development agenda, aiming to create a more vibrant and functional urban environment for its residents.
