Poor people of Hue settle down in new land

Thousands of households in Area I of the Hue Citadel relic system have been and are being relocated to a new resettlement area for nearly a century. The “historic migration” in the land of the ancient capital of Hue, which has been carried out in recent years, is gradually being realized. This is the result of a major policy that is in line with “the will of the Party and the heart of the people”.

Joy of Settlement

Coming to the resettlement area of Bac Huong So (Huong So ward, Hue city) at this time, looking into each house, everyone clearly showed joy. New space, new place to live, having a new house is like a motivation for people to try. The poverty and hardship of the old days have not completely disappeared, but the long sleepless nights in the cramped house are no longer. From the new house, the clear sound of the new day resounds with a completely different rhythm of life, a rhythm of life that is true to the nature of urban people.

*People who used to live "clinging" to Hue relics are now at ease in their new place of residence, which is the very spacious and modern Bac Huong So resettlement area.*

Until now, Mr. Vo Dinh Nhat (Bac Huong So resettlement area) still does not believe that there is a new place to live. A few years ago, even in dreams, no one would have thought that it would be a reality.

Mr. Nhat said that he still could not forget the seemingly endless days of living in makeshift conditions on the banks of the Hue Citadel. When he was still in the Upper Citadel area, his family of six always suffered in a cramped house. Called a home, this place was no different from a tent camp, with a living area of less than 20 square meters. When he heard that the government had a policy of supporting the Upper Citadel migrants, Mr. Nhat and his family did not hesitate to be the first to respond to this historic migration.

“My family is very poor. Now that we have been supported with a residential area and a decent house, we are very happy. After settling down permanently in Huong So, my children and I have passed through the difficult and drifting life. Now that we have a new house and a stable home, everyone will work hard to escape poverty,” Mr. Nhat said.

The family of Mr. Nguyen Hoang (38 years old) is also one of the pioneers in handing over the land, previously on Ong Ich Khiem Street, Hue City. In 2020, after receiving the notice of handing over the land from the People's Committee of Hue City, he had a 100 m2 plot of land at the beginning of the road leading to the resettlement area.

“After decades of living on the relic site, my family’s difficult circumstances have never eased our worries and we have always dreamed of a piece of land in our name and a solid house. Now, that wish has been fulfilled with my family, including my elderly parents and young wife and children, moving to a residential area to live. It can be said that this is a real dream…”, Mr. Hoang confided.

*The lives of the poor have now changed like a "dream", with full infrastructure.*

In the blazing early summer sun, Mrs. Ho Thi Hoa (76 years old - a resident of the new resettlement area) said that when she was still in the Thuong Thanh area, during hot weather like this, the whole family had to move elsewhere because it was unbearable there, and when it rained, the water level rose very high and was very scary. Now every time I think about my old place, I still get startled. Now, after living in the new place for over a year, it is more spacious, life is much better...

In the first phase, dozens of poor households who did not have enough conditions to rebuild their houses were called upon by the Provincial People's Committee for philanthropists, agencies and organizations to contribute and support the cost of building new houses. Each house was supported to be built worth more than 200 million VND in the form of "turnkey", helping people to settle down permanently.

With the efforts of Hue City, the province and the consensus of the people, the new neighborhood in Huong So is now continuing to complete its infrastructure. A spacious kindergarten - Huong So kindergarten has been completed with the "stature" of a modern school in the whole province. Electricity, water and telecommunications infrastructure are all underground, trees are planted according to the plan and connecting roads and parks create a modern, bustling neighborhood...

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“I hope to meet you many times. The people being able to settle down and work is the joy of the authorities at all levels, an important goal that the province desires, bringing all people the happiest and safest life. I hope that after receiving compensation and land, the people will soon build stable houses, focus on labor and production, and continue to accompany the local government in the major policies of the province”, emphasized Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee - Phan Ngoc Tho.

Continue to support the poor

People living temporarily on heritage land are mostly poor and self-employed. For them, having to worry about food and clothing every day is exhausting, so they never dared to think of leaving that shabby, temporary place to live in a real house. Until Thua Thien - Hue province had a project "Relocation of residents, site clearance of area I of Hue Citadel relic".

According to Chairman of Hue City People's Committee Vo Le Nhat, the project has been implemented by the city with great efforts, creating high consensus and ensuring the lives of the people. Up to now, the areas of Thuong Thanh, Eo Bau, citadel and road have been approved. There are 3,187 affected households, 1,478 resettlement plots have been approved. Bac Huong So residential area has deployed and completed technical infrastructure with a scale of 83.7 hectares, creating a land fund of over 4,000 plots. The project implementation process ensures democracy, publicity, transparency and clarity; ensures compensation, support and resettlement policies for the right people, the right subjects, in accordance with the policy framework approved by the Government and current regulations and policy frameworks. Ensure maximum legitimate rights of people in the relocation area and prevent exploitation of policies for personal gain.

“The province and Hue city have done everything to have an open and optimal policy framework, removing difficulties and obstacles for people in the project. The project is continuing to be implemented with great efforts. The overall goal is to create conditions for people to have a stable place to eat and live, better than their old place, ensuring conditions for long-term life development, while promoting local areas,” Mr. Nhat affirmed.

*Thua Thien - Hue Provincial Leaders Encourage Poor People to Leave the Citadel*

Initially, many families living on the relic site were worried about what to do to make a living when they moved to the new place. Up to now, people said that their livelihood after moving to the new place has gradually stabilized. Some people are looking for new jobs, but there are also many cases where they still do the same jobs as before.

Chairman of Huong So Ward People's Committee - Le Kim Nam said that currently, there are 629 households building new houses, many other households have also drawn lots to receive plots, preparing to build houses. When the city continues to hand over the population numbers, we will review and have a plan to establish new residential groups, supporting jobs for the people.

“In the coming time, there will be accurate statistics on the number of workers in the resettlement area. We will learn about the people's thoughts and aspirations, and create all conditions for them to have jobs. In the immediate future, we will introduce workers to work in Huong So-An Hoa Industrial Park, and at the same time, we will learn about other establishments and businesses that need workers,” said Mr. Nam.

*Handing over new houses to poor households*

Dawn has broken out again in the spacious “new town”, birds are chirping at the end of the wide, flat concrete road. The poor people of Hue Citadel are very happy and joyful. Although there will be many difficulties ahead, they have taken the first steady “steps” on the new journey. A new life, new faith and hope have begun.

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To restore the original status and value of the Hue Citadel relic, the Thua Thien - Hue provincial government has implemented the project "Relocation of residents, site clearance of area I of the Hue Citadel relic" with a total investment of more than 4,000 billion VND. Phase 1, from 2019-2021, will relocate people in the Upper Citadel area, Eo Bau areas, citadel moats, and defense lines. Phase 2, from 2022-2025, will relocate people in the Tinh Tam Lake area, Hoc Hai Lake, Xa Tac Altar... This historic migration has received many times of attention and support from the Prime Minister, State leaders, and relevant ministries and branches.

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