Fees for using sidewalks in downtown Ho Chi Minh City Still have concerns

Neat downtown sidewalks thanks to toll collection

Returning to Le Thanh Ton Street, one of 11 pilot routes to collect temporary road and sidewalk usage fees from May 2024 on a weekend morning, we saw a crowded scene of coffee shops along the route.

The positive point is that pedestrians can easily move on the sidewalk, weaving between a row of motorbikes and tables and chairs of shops. According to many shop owners on the street, registering to rent the sidewalk, knowing their rights and obligations helps them be more aware of the harmony between business and ensuring traffic order, environmental sanitation, etc.

Neat sidewalk on Le Thanh Ton street, District 1 (photo: Ngoc Anh)

Similarly, on other streets such as Hai Trieu, Tran Hung Dao, Ham Nghi... shops are neatly arranged and comply with regulations when registering to rent sidewalks.

Ms. Lan, 48 years old, owner of a beef noodle shop on Tran Hung Dao Street, said that she and everyone else were still a bit hesitant because having an additional fee, although not much, was an additional burden when businesses had already paid a series of taxes and fees such as business, environmental, garbage, electricity, and employee. In addition, through practical application, many people were still confused about registering via the app.

However, Ms. Lan and everyone are aware of the obligations of business people, as well as understand the meaning of collecting usage fees to help ensure urban order, and business activities will no longer be "fearful" when there is the presence of functional forces.

"I also support enthusiastically. If it is done synchronously and uniformly like that, everyone will support it because people will have a place to do stable business, without having to sell and run. When people pay and fully fulfill their obligations, they will enjoy the right to store their goods for sale and feel secure," said Ms. Lan.

Still have many concerns

According to Vice Chairman of District 1 People's Committee Vu Nguyen Quang Vinh, after more than 5 months of implementation, urban order, sidewalks, and aesthetics in the area have stabilized; ensuring smooth and safe pedestrian walkways... In particular, the toll collection pilot has received high support and consensus from the people. There have been nearly 400 cases (mostly in Ben Thanh ward, accounting for nearly 50%) registered to rent sidewalks with a total usable area of ​​more than 3,100m2 and the collected fee is 800 million VND.

Shops arrange tables and chairs to ensure pedestrian access (photo: Ngoc Anh)

According to the district's assessment, there are still some situations where people do not agree with sidewalk rental; use more than the rental area, and arrange tables and chairs to block pedestrians' paths...

Vice Chairman of District 1 People's Committee Vu Nguyen Quang Vinh said that from October 25, District 1 officially started collecting fees for temporary use of a part of the sidewalk that is eligible for service business, buying and selling goods on the remaining 41 routes in the list of 52 routes previously issued.

"We hope that agencies, units, organizations and individuals will continue to accompany District 1 to strictly implement Decision 32 of the City, contributing to making District 1's sidewalks more airy and spacious, ensuring security and order; to give pedestrians a safe space, limit encroachment on roads and sidewalks leading to traffic accidents to be worthy of the expectation of building a civilized, modern District 1, worthy of being in the center of the City.", said Mr. Vu Nguyen Quang Vinh.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, the implementation of toll collection has gradually impacted and adjusted awareness, forming positive habits and behaviors of many organizations and individuals related to the use of roads and sidewalks.

However, the Department also recognizes that the regulations in Decision 32 and Resolution 15 are among the new tasks, with wide-ranging impacts; adjusting the habits and behaviors of many organizations and individuals related to roads and sidewalks. Therefore, many problems and difficulties arise during the implementation process...

Pedestrians can easily move on Ly Tu Trong Street.

Mr. Hoang Phuc Dung, Deputy Head of the Department of Road Infrastructure Management and Exploitation, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, said that currently, a large number of people still maintain the mentality and habit of considering the sidewalks and roads in front of their houses as under their own management and decision; some management units are still slow in implementing toll collection and management of roads and sidewalks.

In addition, the roads and sidewalks still have many shortcomings such as narrow width, many existing structures, maintenance work has not been given attention and handled promptly, and funding for sidewalk maintenance is limited...

"Through the initial implementation process, the units are coordinating, reviewing, and identifying obstacles and difficulties in managing and collecting fees for temporary use of part of the roadway and sidewalk to propose solutions suitable to the actual situation," said Mr. Hoang Phuc Dung.

Considerations when replicating

Speaking to VOV, Dr. Tran Quang Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Economics and Management, said that although the initial pilot results had many positive points, for a special urban area like Ho Chi Minh City, it is “necessary to consider” expanding the scheme. Sidewalk toll collection should only be applied to routes that ensure all infrastructure conditions, especially pedestrian safety, and harmony between all parties.

According to Dr. Tran Quang Thang, before implementation, it is necessary to carefully consult the opinions of relevant departments, branches, and localities, and especially listen to the opinions of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the residential community where the toll road is expected to be located.

Dr. Tran Quang Thang, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Economics and Management

"We have to consider and get the opinions of the local community. When the community sees that it is possible, they agree. We summarize it and then see what the final decision will be. We do it, but we also follow the cultural features and characteristics, otherwise it will be very troublesome." Dr. Tran Quang Thang said.

The collection of temporary use fees for roads and sidewalks is implemented according to Resolution No. 15/2023/NQ-HDND of the City People's Council and Decision No. 32/2023/QD-UBND of the City People's Committee.

Up to now, in addition to District 1, Districts 3, 10, 12 and the Department of Transport have also implemented fee collection. The total fee collected to date is 4.8 billion VND; of which, the Department of Transport collects fees for cultural activities and the arrangement of public transport facilities such as bicycle stations, about 1.5 billion VND.

VOV.VN - From October 25, District 1 officially started collecting fees for temporary use of a part of the sidewalk that is eligible for service business, buying and selling goods on the remaining 41 routes in the list of 52 routes previously issued.

Ho Chi Minh City leaders have repeatedly emphasized that the collection of temporary sidewalk usage fees does not create additional burdens for people but aims to help sidewalks and roads become more orderly and efficient, allowing pedestrians to travel easily and safely.

However, it is clear that only 4 localities in the city have implemented it, which also shows a lack of uniformity and thus could create negative public opinion when there is a comparison... Therefore, the city needs to direct this work to be implemented synchronously, harmonizing the interests of all parties.

Source: https://vov.vn/kinh-te/thu-phi-su-dung-via-he-khu-trung-tam-tphcm-van-con-ban-khoan-post1132750.vov