The rate of urbanisation in Vietnam reached 33.4 percent in 2013, up one percent from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Construction.

Last year, the number of people living in urban areas increased by 1.3 million, however, the distribution was not balanced with high concentrations in major metropolitan areas.

Sixteen large urban centres in Vietnam account for about 50 percent of urbanites, putting pressure on housing, employment, the environment and social infrastructure.

According to the ministry, Vietnam’s total housing area was 79 million square metres in 2013, of which 36.5 million square metres were in urban areas.

The country now has 770 urban centres.-VNA