HCM City slow to finish renovation of old tenements

Three years after a five-year plan to renovate half of the 476 old tenements was announced by Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities, only a fraction of them have been refurbished or rebuilt, causing suffering to many people living in them.
HCM City slow to finish renovation of old tenements ảnh 1A deteriorating old tenement on Vo Van Kiet street in HCM City’s District 1 (Photo: Zing.vn)
HCM City (VNS/VNA) - Three years after a five-year plan to renovatehalf of the 476 old tenements was announced by Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities,only a fraction of them have been refurbished or rebuilt, causing suffering tomany people living in them.

According to the city's Department of Construction, last month 96 households inan old apartment block at 155 – 157 Bui Vien street were told to find newaccommodations after an inspection had found it could collapse at any time.

But many of the households have yet to move, saying investors have yet to beidentified for the renovation.

Most families living in the tenement support the plan for renovation, but arewary after knowing that people who moved out of other similar apartments arestill awaiting completion of the renovation work after more than two years.

Le Duy Manh, who owns an apartment at the Bui Vien Tenement, said authoritiesshould clearly inform tenants about the renovation schedule and when they couldreturn to their homes.

Huynh Tam, another resident, was quoted by Nguoi Lao Dong (The Labourer)newspaper as saying she would not leave the place for fear the renovation wouldtake “a century”.

All 10 households living in the Truc Giang Tenement in district 4 are willingto move but claimed they cannot afford it.

Residents of Nguyen Thien Thuat Tenement in district 3 interviewed by thenewspaper said they received a notice to move out to make way for renovation 10years ago.

But recently the district’s People’s Committee said it is still looking forinvestors to renovate the Bui Vien Tenement.

Pham Thi Bach, who lives in the Ngo Gia Tu Tenement in district 10, said toknock down the old tenement for reconstruction, authorities must get everyhousehold on board.

But people living on the ground floor are reluctant to move because theirapartments double up as shops, she said.

Le Thi Thu Nga, Deputy Chairwoman of the District 10 People’s Committee, said25 out of 40 old and deteriorating tenements have been renovated to ensureoccupants’ safety.

Relevant agencies have speeded up relocation of tenants and demolition of oldtenements, but finding investors to rebuild them is harder, she said.

Le Hoa Binh, director of the city's Department of Construction, said thedepartment has identified 474 old tenements which require renovation, but sofar only 113 have been taken up for work while 35 others would be done in thesecond half of this year.

But it is impossible to get all households living in them to agree, he said.

Binh said instead of seeking investors and making them negotiate with tenants,authorities could cancel the occupants’ land use rights, pay them compensationand take over the lands.

This method has been used by the District 7 People’s Committee at two decrepittenements, he said.-VNS/VNA
VNA

See more

Deputy General Director of the Vietnam News Agency Doan Thi Tuyet Nhung (fifth, right) and representatives of regional news agencies and media organisations attend the launch of the Asia-Pacific Media Partnership Organising Committee at the Asia-Pacific Media Forum. (Photo: VNA)

VNA attends Asia-Pacific Media Forum in Shenzhen

Participants in the forum highlighted the need to increase coverage of the region's rapid opening-up and integration, provide comprehensive information on the progress and achievements of cooperation among economies across various fields, and help create a favourable environment for regional development.

Ngo Phuong Ly (right), the spouse of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, and Kyu Kyu Hla, the spouse of Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, visit Van Phuc silk village on September 5. (Photo: VNA)

First ladies of Vietnam, Myanmar visit Van Phuc silk village

Ngo Phuong Ly, the spouse of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, said the two countries share similarities in silk weaving and can enrich their cultural heritage through exchanges and experience sharing.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung join students and teachers of the Muong Khuong Inter-level Primary and Secondary Boarding School, Lao Cai province, in the opening ceremony of the 2026–2027 academic year on September 5. (Photo: VNA)

PM urges substantive education reform in 2026–2027 school year

PM Le Minh Hung called on the education sector to continue making strong changes in management mindset and teaching methods, putting learners at the centre, and viewing schools as the foundation, teachers as the driving force, families as a source of support and society as a resource accompanying education development.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (Photo: VNA)

Top leader extends message to education sector on new school year

Party General Secretary and President To Lam expressed confidence that with the nation’s traditional fondness for learning, the dedication of teachers and the aspirations of the younger generation, the 2026–2027 academic year will open a new chapter of progress for the country’s education sector.

Students attend the opening ceremony for the 2026–2027 academic year at the primary school campus of the Gia Quat Primary and Secondary School in Hanoi on September 5, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Students across Vietnam begin 2026–2027 academic year

This milestone school year marks a pivotal transition from laying the groundwork for reform to delivering substantive changes as the country pushes ahead with implementing Politburo Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training development.

Team K91 members depart to carry out their mission. (Photo: VNA)

Search efforts continue for Vietnamese fallen soldiers in Cambodia

During the 2026-2027 dry season, Teams K70, K71, K72 and K73 will continue their search and repatriation mission, striving to fulfil the target based on 185 pieces of information concerning 761 graves. Each team is expected to collect at least 100 sets of remains during each deployment.

Mai Nguyen Tuyet Hoa, First Secretary in charge of education affairs at the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia speaks at the closing ceremony (Phôt: VNA)

AI application boosts Russian language training in Vietnam

The programme introduced updated methods for teaching Russian as a foreign language while focusing on the application of digital technology and AI in lesson design to enhance the professional capacity and adaptability of Russian-language teachers amid changes in modern education.

A resident accesses the iHanoi app. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi launches real-time flood and rainfall map on iHanoi

The map uses a standard colour scale to provide a visual assessment, enabling residents to gauge the level of danger within seconds. The application is expected to strengthen the capital’s disaster response capacity while helping residents plan safer routes during the rainy and stormy season.

Representatives of Naval Region 4 Command present 32 gift packages to the fishermen. (Photo published by VNA)

32 fishermen rescued at sea safely return home

Thirty-two fishermen rescued after their fishing vessel, coded QNa 90859 TS, encountered an accident at sea, were safely brought back to their hometown in Nui Thanh commune, the central city of Da Nang.

Dr. Do Xuan Hoang, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Organisations in Russia. (Photo: VNA)

Resolution marks new policy approach toward overseas Vietnamese

Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Organisations in Russia Dr. Do Xuan Hoang said the Politburo’s Resolution 23-NQ/TW on overseas Vietnamese (OV) affairs is timely and more comprehensive, better aligned with the rapid evolution of the Vietnamese community abroad after more than two decades under the Politburo’s Resolution 36-NQ/TW issued on March 26, 2004.

Vietnamese companies showcase tourism in Beijing (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi pitches tourism in Beijing to deepen travel ties

Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism Guo Zhuqing said Beijing and Hanoi are key gateways for bilateral cultural and tourism exchange, with conditions in place to boost visitor numbers, build trust and expand business cooperation, thus supporting people-to-people ties.

Students contemplate paintings at the exhibition (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese in Laos, Singapore honour President Ho Chi Minh on National Day

The display features 50 paintings by the late overseas Vietnamese artist Dao Trong Ly created between 2018 and 2024. Co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Laos and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, it serves as both a cultural highlight for Vietnam’s 81st National Day (September 2) and a bridge for Vietnam-Laos special solidarity.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc offers incense in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s hometown holds ceremony marking his 57th death anniversary

Speaking at the event, Secretary of the Nghe An provincial Party Committee Nguyen Khac Than said commemorating President Ho Chi Minh is not only an expression of gratitude to the beloved leader of the Vietnamese nation, but also an opportunity for officials, Party members and people to better understand their responsibility to carry out his wishes for the country.