Ho Chi Minh City to renovate canals and relocate thousands

Ho Chi Minh City is preparing for a major urban renewal initiative involving the relocation of over 41,500 households living along canals and rivers over the next five years. A key focus of this project is the Van Thanh Canal renovation, an investment exceeding 8,555 billion VND scheduled for implementation between 2025 and 2030. The project aims to dredge the canal, build embankments, and develop technical infrastructure, including parks and green spaces.

To facilitate the relocation, approximately 749 households facing full clearance will be provided with resettlement options. The city has already prepared nearly 400 apartments in the Gia Dinh and Thanh My Tay wards to ensure residents can stabilize their lives.

Experts emphasize that the success of these urban improvements depends on effective resettlement policies. Key recommendations include ensuring compensation rates are close to market values, providing resettlement housing before relocation to prevent instability, and adopting flexible, empathetic approaches to compensation that consider the actual circumstances of residents rather than relying solely on official records.