Housing and Transportation in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City

The rapid urban growth of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), driven by economic development and massive immigration, has put huge pressure on the natural environment and basic infrastructure and services, including the housing and transportation sectors. These circumstances have impacted the lives of local residents, especially the poor and disadvantaged, exacerbating social inequality.

Many existing problems are rooted in the extent to which low-income and disabled people can afford and access housing and public transport. The resources of the government to meet the residents’ needs are limited. Policies to mobilize non-state resources have so far not proven efficient on the ground. Private investors in housing do not meet the needs of the poor in reality, while non-state stakeholders including civil society are not allowed to participate in the planning process. Housing policies are also challenged by the value of land and land use rights, which are highly dependent on the socio-political system of the country. 

Through case studies, the authors of this publication analyze the needs for a social urban policy in Vietnam and assess the impact of urban planning on mobility and housing to provide recommendations for more efficient planning.