The Da Phuoc landfill, notorious for its near-full handling capacity and bad odor in outlying Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, is waiting for a decision from the city’s environmental officials regarding its operational status next year.

The unpleasant odor from the landfill is haunting residents of nearby Nha Be District, District 7, and District 8 with their daily lives badly affected. 

Despite the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s previous commitment to addressing the odor by 2024, pollution in the area has not subsided. 

Vietnam Waste Solutions Ltd. (VWS), the developer of the Da Phuoc landfill, has consistently received complaints about the odor from the dumpsite over many years.

Ho Chi Minh City generates nearly 10,000 metric tons of waste daily, which is processed at the Da Phuoc landfill and the Tay Bac Solid Waste Treatment Complex in Cu Chi District, according to data from the municipal environment department. 

Of the two waste treatment plants, the Da Phuoc landfill employs hygienic landfill methods and handles the majority of the city’s household waste.

However, it is projected to reach its maximum capacity by 2024.

Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Toan Thang said in 2020 that the Da Phuoc landfill would shut down in 2024.

During a press conference on socio-economic affairs on Thursday afternoon, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper inquired whether the Da Phuoc waste treatment facility would close as scheduled next year. 

In response, the natural resources and environment department stated that the municipal People’s Committee had instructed them to collaborate with relevant departments and agencies, urging VWS to finalize necessary legal documents for approval to operate the landfill exceeding the designed capacity. 

The completion of these legal documents is still underway.

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