As a serious consequence of poor management over construction, as many as 550 houses have been built illegally in two districts in Ho Chi Minh City within a one month time period. This incredible but true situation occurred in Binh Chanh and Go Vap districts, with more than 390 of these houses built in the former, and the rest in the latter, in May. This is likely the most prominent example of a reality in which many people randomly build houses on farming land without a construction license, while local authorities have failed to take effective measures to prevent them from doing so. These illegal houses have been found during recent inspections by the city Construction Department in four communes of Binh Chanh District and Ward 15 of Go Vap District. All of these houses were built during the period when the authority to inspect construction activities was transferred from district governments to the department, inspectors said. Vu Van Nha, the owner of one such house in Doi hamlet, Go Vap, said his family has lived in the hamlet for 15 years and has yet to have a stable shelter, since the area has been earmarked for a project. Meanwhile his family is large and many of his children have no place to live, Nha said, adding that, “I ran the risks to build a house without a permit for my children. I ventured to do it since we cannot afford to rent a house to live.”Two nights for a house Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Long, chief of police of Ward 15, Go Vap, said, “Builders here can complete a house in only two nights, one of which is for building the foundation, and the other its walls and other structures.” Police have caught many people building houses overnight in 15 areas in the ward, Long said. A similar situation has been seen in Binh Chanh District, where many of the owners of illegal houses in Vinh Loc A Commune disguised the construction by planting luffa around their work. Therefore, in many cases when authorities detected the illegal houses, they were already completed.Government actions Thieu Van Xe, chairman of Binh Chanh’s Vinh Loc B Commune People’s Committee, said he has ordered concerned agencies to handle and punish those who built houses without a license. “We have currently put the situation under control,” he added. A leader from Binh Chanh District’s People’s Committee said, “So many houses have been built at the same time, so authorities in wards and communes have failed to prevent them effectively although they have mobilized all possible forces.” An official from Go Vap District said the authorities don’t have enough workers to inspect illegal construction sites. Moreover, most of these houses were built at night and were completed quickly. Phan Duc Nhan, deputy director of the Construction Department, said the authorities in Go Vap and Binh Chanh are forcing the owners of illegal houses to dismantle them if they have been built on agricultural land. As for houses illegally built on non-agricultural land, their owners must make steps to apply for a license to build such houses, according to the department’s inspectorate.
More

Vietnam's former deputy environment minister indicted for facilitating illegal rare earth mining for sale to China
He was accused of accommodating a company as it illegally mined rare earths for sale to China
Read more

Ho Chi Minh City to trial bilingual street signs
7 years ago
Double-decker bus launched in Hanoi; Da Nang offers free bus service
A new bus route using modern vehicles was introduced in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang, while a service featuring double-decker open-top buses entered a trial run in Hanoi on Friday.
7 years ago
The American ‘Doctor Strange’ of Vietnam
An American physiotherapist has given up her home and career in the U.S. to realize her dream of helping patients in Vietnam
7 years agoHighlights

Hanoi hosts military parade rehearsal for 50th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification
The female military band stood out for their discipline and poise, demonstrating perseverance and determination in their role
Latest news

Japan's Mizuho Bank opening new type of branch
The 'Atorie'-type branch focuses on helping customers build personal assets

Hanoi hosts military parade rehearsal for 50th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification
The female military band stood out for their discipline and poise, demonstrating perseverance and determination in their role

Vietnam considers regulatory amendments to allow operations of China’s COMAC aircraft
According to the CAAV, China’s aviation safety regulatory system mirrors that of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration

Stargazers marvel at 'Blood Moon', rare total lunar eclipse
The celestial spectacle was visible in the Americas and Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as in the westernmost parts of Europe and Africa

Vietnam addressing US trade, investment concerns to strengthen partnership
Economic ties between the two countries continue to expand, with bilateral trade surpassing US$132 billion in 2024

South Korea says battery pack is possible cause of Air Busan fire
No abnormalities in the plane's own electrical systems have been identified

Vietnamese firm expands deforestation-free coffee exports to US
The shipment will include 24,000 packs of roasted coffee and 18,000 packs of whole coffee beans

Some Ho Chi Minh City districts weigh issuing camera tickets for sidewalk encroachment
Many residents have expressed support for stricter enforcement, saying camera-based fines would create fairness and help ensure that sidewalks remain accessible to pedestrians

Nepal community efforts revive red panda population
Nepali police officer Jiwan Subba still feels pangs of regret decades after he bludgeoned a strange creature he found wandering in his barn, not realising it was an endangered red panda

American Airlines jet engine catches fire after landing in Denver, passengers evacuated
An engine on an American Airlines, opens new tab jet caught fire after the plane diverted to Denver on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of passengers using emergency slides, the Federal Aviation Administration said