Ho Chi Minh City currently has 4,869 streets that are five meters wide or more, but more than half of these streets do not have sidewalks.

The city’s sidewalk shortage and misuse came under renewed scrutiny after Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reported that individuals and households were illegally occupying or renting sidewalks for businesses and parking. In response, the municipal People’s Committee directed relevant departments and local agencies to evaluate current sidewalk management and propose solutions.

The Department of Transport and Public Works, in coordination with the city’s traffic safety committee and local administrations, is urgently reviewing the situation.

Out of the 4,869 streets, only 2,271 have sidewalks, and the majority of those are less than three meters wide—leaving little space for pedestrians.

According to the department, only about 27.4 percent of total sidewalk space is available for temporary non-traffic use. To improve oversight, the city introduced a sidewalk use fee system last year, collecting more than VND7 billion (US$273,725) to date.

Authorities also fined more than 12,950 violators a total of VND4.53 billion ($177,153) for sidewalk encroachments.

Despite increased enforcement and fee collection, sidewalk encroachment remains widespread. Streets such as Van Kiep, Phan Xich Long, Pham Van Dong, Nguyen Thai Son, Quang Trung, and Nguyen Trai are commonly blocked by vendors and parking lots, forcing pedestrians to walk on the roadbed.

While the fee system has improved public awareness, implementation remains uneven. In some districts, officials have failed to collect fees effectively, prompting concerns over transparency and accountability.

The Department of Transport and Public Works said the city will tighten sidewalk regulations starting in 2025. Local authorities will no longer be permitted to issue their own rules on sidewalk use.

Businesses already approved to operate on sidewalks in 2024 may continue temporarily, but fee collection will be suspended until a new citywide plan is approved.

The city has tasked the Department of Transport and Public Works with working alongside the Department of Justice and other agencies to propose a comprehensive policy on road and sidewalk use. A draft is expected by April 10, 2025.

Officials have also urged local governments to speed up renovation and upgrading projects to improve sidewalk quality, ensure pedestrian safety, and enhance urban aesthetics.

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