Editor's note:

District 1 is considered the busiest and richest central district of Ho Chi Minh City. However, few people know that there are still people living in houses of a few square meters, having to take turns sleeping, doing laundry, and using the restroom.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen emphasized that there needs to be a special solution to resolve the situation decisively, and that people cannot be allowed to endure this situation any longer.

VietNamNet recorded the cramped, stuffy living conditions of the people as well as their thoughts and aspirations when the city was determined to renovate the urban area.

Talking to VietNamNet about the situation of people having to sleep in shifts, Mr. Duong Anh Duc, Secretary of the District Party Committee of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, said that if anyone has never been to these housing areas during the epidemic season, it is difficult to imagine how miserable the situation is. It is not wrong to use the word "horrible" when seeing such living conditions.

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Mr. Duong Anh Duc proposed a special solution to renovate areas where "people sleep in shifts". Photo: Contributor

“Everyone thinks District 1 is a rich district because it is the center of Ho Chi Minh City. But few people know that there are still miserable lives where people have to take turns sleeping, eating, bathing, going to the toilet… because the housing is too cramped,” said Mr. Duc.

He listed that in the center of District 1, there are areas such as Ga market - Gao market (Cau Ong Lanh ward), Ma Lang area (also known as Nguyen Cu Trinh quadrangle), Ma Lo area (Tan Dinh ward)... where many households live in such situations.

According to Mr. Duc, all levels from district to city are interested in finding solutions to change people's lives and improve urban areas in these areas. But in reality, it is very difficult, because of many constraints from current regulations and rules.

The District 1 Secretary also said that in the past, many investors came to him but had to leave because they could not carry out the project, even though the authorities from the district to the city gave their full support.

"It can be said that this is the problem of the century, finding a solution to this problem cannot be done overnight," the Secretary of District 1 expressed.

District 1 is inviting a number of experts and investors to give their opinions. On the local side, the district is also researching and comparing current regulations and laws to determine what special mechanisms and minimum conditions are required to renovate or carry out the project.

"There are some investors (actually philanthropic investors - NV) who are willing and willing to do the project at break-even. However, we also need to see how they discuss and what the minimum requirements are, in order to ask for the opinion of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee," said Mr. Duc.

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The house is small and narrow, Mrs. Thu tries to keep it tidy to prevent fire accidents. Photo: Ha Nguyen

100% non-profit spirit

Mr. Duc informed that the district authorities have calculated two options of relocation or on-site resettlement for these residential areas.

But the principle of on-site resettlement is very difficult to implement, because there are households with an area of ​​less than 10m2, but social housing apartments are 30-40m2, people do not have the conditions to compensate, investors cannot afford if sponsored.

In addition, moving people to other places also causes them to lose their livelihood opportunities, when they have been attached to these places for decades. It is worth mentioning that in these residential areas, some households have pink books, some do not.

“Governments at all levels are calculating how to implement the project with minimal cost but maximum benefit, it must be said that it is very contradictory and very difficult. But it must be done to change people's lives,” Mr. Duong Anh Duc affirmed and said that, first of all, fire prevention and fighting safety must be ensured for the people.

Mr. Duc also said that to renovate the areas, we must find a special mechanism to implement it. The district will find its own solution and ask for opinions from superiors to follow that solution.

“The urban beautification of these areas must be done with a 100% non-profit spirit. Investors coming here to calculate and ‘dodge’ cannot do it,” Mr. Duc clearly stated.

Previously, at the expanded City Party Committee conference on June 14, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen directed that there should be a special solution to resolve the situation decisively, so that people do not have to endure this situation any longer.

According to him, to renovate or implement projects in these areas, it is necessary to find a special mechanism for the special circumstances. The locality must do it, and if necessary, report to the superiors for appropriate and timely direction.

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Known as the "rich district" in Ho Chi Minh City, District 1 still has tiny houses. Family members sometimes have to take turns sleeping and using the restroom.