Unlocking Affordable Housing: Vietnam Aims for 200,000 Social Homes by 2030

On the afternoon of October 7th, a delegation from the Ministry of Construction, led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Sinh, held a working session with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to discuss the implementation of social housing projects and future development strategies.

Social Housing Demand Five Times the Target

According to Pham Dang Ho, Head of the Urban Development Department at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, the city aims to develop 199,400 social housing units by 2030, as per the Prime Minister’s directive. The plan is divided into two phases: 2021–2025, with 18,143 units completed (13,040 in 2025 alone), and 2026–2030, with 181,257 units.

Regarding the allocation of 20% of land in commercial projects for social housing, Ho Chi Minh City has 35 projects spanning approximately 247 hectares, expected to provide 71,000 units.

Updating the 2025 progress, Pham Dang Ho reported that 2 projects (1,554 units) have been completed, 3 have broken ground (2,009 units), and 13 are under construction (14,584 units). By year-end, 7 of the ongoing projects (5,222 units) are expected to be finished. Additionally, 26 other projects, totaling around 24,600 units, are in the legal preparation phase for upcoming years.

However, the Department of Construction highlighted challenges related to land use rights for investors, investment procedures, land clearance cost allocation, and social housing obligations.

Meanwhile, Truong Trung Kien, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture, estimated that social housing demand by 2030 could reach 974,000 units, with 30% attributed to workers. This figure underscores the significant challenge in meeting actual demand.

Accelerating the Construction of Nearly 200,000 Social Housing Units

At the meeting, Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, stated that the city’s previous master plan designated 1,400 hectares for social housing projects.

Following the merger with former Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, the new Ho Chi Minh City will gain additional land for social housing. Areas in Binh Chanh and Hoc Mon, previously suitable for such developments, will be prioritized.

Bui Xuan Cuong affirmed that by 2030, the city aims to complete the 199,400-unit target. Specifically, in 2025, the city will accelerate efforts to ensure the completion of 13,040 units.

The Vice Chairman pledged to clarify land use rights and assess land use planning compatibility to increase project numbers in the coming years.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Sinh expressed optimism after inspecting several social housing projects in the city. Developers are highly committed, and the city government is actively supporting project implementation. “Social housing in the city has seen positive developments recently,” he noted.

Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring areas have strong potential and momentum for social housing development. The government’s target of 199,400 units for the city, nearly 20% of the national total, is ambitious.

Moving forward, the city must expedite project timelines, enhance on-site inspections, supervise developers, and address their challenges.

The city should comprehensively review social housing programs, adjust planning to align with actual demand, and swiftly approve investment policies. Priority should also be given to buyers such as police, military personnel, and workers.

“We urge Ho Chi Minh City to develop breakthrough plans for social housing. With major enterprises joining soon, the city should collaborate to achieve a supply breakthrough by 2026,” emphasized the Deputy Minister of Construction.