Complete clearance of Binh Hung Hoa cemetery in 2025

Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Tan District will complete the exhumation of graves at Binh Hung Hoa cemetery and start investing in infrastructure, schools, and parks on this land in 2025.

The goal was mentioned by the Binh Tan District Party Committee in the Resolution on relocating Binh Hung Hoa cemetery - one of the key projects in the area. Currently, this area still has nearly 24,000 graves, of which about 13,000 graves have not had relatives visit or declare, affecting the project's progress.

Part of Binh Hung Hoa cemetery from above. Photo: Quynh Tran — Part of Binh Hung Hoa cemetery from above. Photo: *Quynh Tran*

According to the plan, by April 2024, nearly 1,900 graves in phase 1 will be exhumed and the entire project will be completed by 2025. In addition, the locality plans to complete the adjustment of the planning of the Binh Hung Hoa cemetery area by the end of this year, including above ground, underground space, and mixed-use land functions to increase the land fund for public works.

Next September, the district will start building a house to store ashes to serve the centralized exhumation of graves. It is expected that by April 30, 2025, the approval and selection of contractors will be completed and construction of infrastructure, schools, and green parks within the cemetery will begin. The entire project will be completed in 2027.

About 12 km from the city center, Binh Hung Hoa is the largest cemetery in Ho Chi Minh City with an area of 53 hectares, built before 1975 with about 70,000 graves.

Since 2010, the city government has had a policy of relocating the entire cemetery to another location to form residential complexes and commercial centers. In 2014, the authorities began implementing the project of compensation, relocation, and clearance of more than 40.69 hectares, divided into three phases. However, after more than 20 years since the policy was issued, the relocation of the largest cemetery in Ho Chi Minh City has yet to be completed.

Location of Binh Hung Hoa cemetery. Graphics: Dang Hieu — Location of Binh Hung Hoa cemetery. Graphics: *Dang Hieu*

According to the People's Committee of Binh Tan District, due to the prolonged relocation of graves, the slow availability of clean land, and the spiritual factor, the locality could not find investors. Therefore, the locality proposed to use the entire land of Binh Hung Hoa cemetery after relocation to build schools and parks instead of reserving a part for commercial projects.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Council meeting in July approved a plan to spend nearly VND1,500 billion to invest in infrastructure, schools, and parks within the 17.3-hectare area of Binh Hung Hoa cemetery after relocation. The main items include building a new middle school, leveling the ground, investing in traffic infrastructure, water supply and drainage, electricity systems, trees, walking paths, and lighting systems.

Le Tuyet

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