Transforming the Landscape of South Ho Chi Minh City
The investment and construction management board of the new South Ho Chi Minh City (South City) is currently working with various departments and agencies to review and consolidate 12 slow-paced projects for consideration of revocation, as instructed by the Government.
Twenty Years and Still Unresolved
Intresco residential project, located in Zone 6A of the new South City, is among the 12 projects instructed by the Government for review and revocation. Although the project, spanning 6.9 hectares and allocated since 2001, has achieved only about 64% clearance.
Proceeding along a small road next to Xang canal, we arrived at Zone 4B, Binh Hung commune, Binh Chanh district. The bumpy road led us to the Intresco project area. On both sides of the road, there were several long-standing football pitches. As we went deeper, the road became increasingly dilapidated, with empty lots covered in overgrown grass and makeshift structures made of corrugated iron. Some vacant lots were used as dumping grounds for waste materials. Further inside, we saw rows of dilapidated, single-story houses with rusty tin walls, old tarps, and wooden boards.
Mrs. Le Thi Le’s family has been living here for 21 years. Every day, starting at 5 am, she pushes a cart of bread along the rough and bumpy road to sell to customers near the South Saigon Hospital area. According to Mrs. Le, the residents here have heard about the planned development for a long time, and while neighboring areas have been cleared, no projects have been seen yet. Many people continue to stay, despite the deteriorating condition of the accommodations, fearing that their land may be reclaimed at any time.
Heading towards Binh Hung commune, we stopped by the Thang Long residential project, covering nearly 25 hectares (in Zone 1A). The area was enclosed with iron fences, and the inside was overgrown with grass. Due to project planning issues, residents are unable to build new houses, and even repairs are challenging.
On Nguyen Van Linh road, leading from Binh Chanh district to National Highway 1A, several other projects still remain unsettled. Alongside some well-planned areas, there are vast vacant plots intertwined with dilapidated residential areas. This lack of continuous and connected urban infrastructure in the southern part of the city creates a chaotic and disjointed environment. Temporary shops, parking lots, and workshops on both sides of the road contribute to a sense of disorder.
The current situation in this area falls short of people’s expectations for a modern urban area, which was intended to replace the underdeveloped southern region over 20 years ago.
Considering Revocation of “Land-Hoarding” Projects
Based on the Government Inspectorate’s conclusion No. 2889 issued in 2011 regarding law compliance in land planning, construction, and land use management in Ho Chi Minh City, deficiencies were identified in terms of planning, land management, and utilization, including in the southern region of the city. Since the city has not completed the implementation of the inspection findings, in 2020, the Government Inspectorate was directed to lead an inter-agency task force to review and report on the implementation to the Government. In 2020, based on the review and recommendations of the task force, the Government assigned the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to consider the revocation of 12 land allocation projects from 1999 to 2003 in the southern region.
According to the Government Inspectorate, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has made temporary land allocations that are not in compliance with regulations. Most projects have violated investment procedures and have not completed land clearance or investment in construction. The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has assigned relevant units, departments, and the South City management board to review, report, and provide recommendations to implement the Government’s directive regarding the revocation of these 12 projects.
In an interview with Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, Mr. Duong Thanh Cong, Deputy Head of the South City management board, stated that they are following the instructions of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, relevant departments, and agencies to collect opinions and consolidate reports for submission and recommendations to the city regarding the Government’s directive on the revocation of the 12 projects. Previously, most projects were temporarily allocated land for businesses to conduct land clearance. Currently, the progress of land clearance ranges from 52% to 97%. “The South City management board is still reviewing and consolidating opinions from departments and agencies to report and propose recommendations to the city. Due to the urgency of the city’s directive, we are making every effort to expedite the process. The departments and agencies are very meticulous in reviewing the legal aspects of each project,” shared Mr. Cong.
When asked about the proposal to revoke the 12 projects and select alternative investors to speed up the land clearance process and complete the urban infrastructure in the southern region, Mr. Duong Thanh Cong stated that it depends on each specific project and dossier. Each project has its own characteristics, and based on the relevant legal regulations, suitable proposals will be made concerning whether the investors can continue with their projects or if the land will be revoked.
Danh sách các dự án ì ạch chậm triển khai:
- Thang Long residential area (nearly 25 hectares) by Infrastructure Development and Construction Joint Stock Company No. 9
- KH and DC Park (48.55 hectares) by Southern Land Development Joint Stock Company
- Technical Infrastructure Construction Investment Project in Zone 6B (nearly 22 hectares)
- Intresco residential project and Housing Development Project for Plot No. 5 (6.7 hectares) by Investment and Real Estate Trading Joint Stock Company
- Residential area 9A-2 (19.2 hectares) by Viet Lien A Investment and Development Joint Stock Company