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| A section of the Nhieu Loc–Thi Nghe Canal running through Nhieu Loc, Phu Nhuan and Xuan Hoa wards. (Photo: VNA) |
Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating canal rehabilitation projects as part of its plan to relocate more than 41,500 houses built on or along rivers and canals during 2026–2030, aiming to improve the urban environment, restore waterways and create new space for sustainable development.
A key project is the renovation of the northern bank of Doi Canal, which has a total investment of over 7.3 trillion VND (278 million USD). The 4.3km project includes canal dredging, embankment construction, road expansion and technical infrastructure upgrades.
Construction began in August 2025 and is progressing through three contract packages. Several embankment sections have been completed while dredging, bank reinforcement and road works are advancing, said the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Infrastructure Construction Investment Project Management Board.
More than 75% of the project's budget is allocated to compensation, resettlement and support for affected households, reflecting the city's focus on improving living conditions alongside infrastructure development.
According to city authorities, restoring waterways will improve drainage capacity, reduce flooding and pollution risks, and create green public spaces along canals.
The Doi Canal project forms part of Ho Chi Minh City's broader urban renewal programme, which seeks to improve environmental quality, enhance climate resilience and support sustainable urban expansion.
Vo Van Minh, Chairman of the municipal People's Council, said resettlement should prioritise housing close to affected communities to minimise disruption and ensure public support, which is crucial to the progress.
Earlier canal renovation projects, including Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe, Tan Hoa – Lo Gom and Tau Hu – Ben Nghe, have demonstrated how rehabilitated waterways can transform the urban landscape while improving environmental conditions and public amenities, providing a basis for Ho Chi Minh City to push ahead with large-scale projects to gradually restore the value of the river and canal network in urban structure, he added./.
