Social housing development reflects Vietnamese regime’s fine nature: PM

The social housing development reflects the unique and humane nature of the Vietnamese regime, and the work must be done no matter how difficult, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed on August 16 while concluding a nationwide teleconference reviewing the implementation of social housing development targets in the first seven months of the year and tasks for the remaining period.

The PM underlined that the programme to build 1 million social housing units by 2030 is a major and humane policy of the Party and State to ensure progress, justice, and social welfare, ensuring that “no one is left behind.” It reflects the people-centered approach whereby all policies serve the people, and affirms citizens’ constitutional rights to housing and equal access to accommodation, especially the poor, low-income earners, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

Acknowledging efforts made by ministries, sectors, and localities so far, the Government leader also frankly pointed out limitations and obstacles, such as slow implementation in many localities; sluggish disbursement of the 120 trillion VND (4.56 billion USD) preferential credit package for social housing; and difficulties faced by enterprises in accessing land, investment procedures, appointment of contractors, credit, and incentives.

He urged all stakeholders to promptly address these shortcomings within their authority, in a spirit of putting the interests of the nation, people, and businesses first, while avoiding personal motives, corruption, negativity, and preventing losses or waste of assets, resources, and capital.

PM Chinh affirmed that the target of completing at least 100,000 social housing units by the end of 2025 remains unchanged, as assigned to localities earlier this year. He requested that this is a critical political task requiring high concentration, concrete action, and close supervision for each project.

Localities must also include social housing development targets in their Party congress resolutions for the 2025 2030 tenure, the PM said. He instructed ministries and localities to review and identify officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers struggling with housing due to organisational restructuring, and to revise relevant policies on capital access, purchase, and construction of social housing, cutting red tape while tightening inspection and supervision to prevent abuse of policies.

Measuring tools must also be developed to evaluate progress monthly, quarterly, and annually, linking performance with accountability of each official and organisation.

PM Chinh also assigned specific tasks to the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, the State Bank of Vietnam, and the Government Office, in line with their functions.

The Government leader urged localities to expand supply and prompt investors to accelerate social housing projects. While the National Assembly and Government provide the policy framework and standard designs, localities should flexibly apply them in line with their conditions, under the principle of “localities decide, localities implement, and localities take responsibility.”

He noted the immediate enforcement of Resolution No. 201 piloting several special policies on social housing development, stressing the need to promptly cut and reform administrative procedures and address existing difficulties already resolved under the resolution, such as the selection of investors, bidding, investment and construction procedures, and determining selling and rental prices.

The PM also agreed to review and revise regulations on income thresholds for social housing buyers, eligibility criteria, and the establishment of a social housing fund.
A social housing project in Khanh Hoa province. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

As heard at the conference, under Decision No. 444/QD-TTg dated February 27, 2025, the PM tasked localities with building 995,445 social housing units for 2025 2030, including 100,275 units this year. In the first seven months of 2025, 36,962 units were completed (37% of the yearly plan). By year-end, another 36,700 units are expected to be completed, bringing the total to 73,671 (73% of the target). Meanwhile, 127,261 units are under construction and will be completed in subsequent years.

According to the Ministry of Construction, of the 31 localities assigned targets, nine are expected to meet or exceed them, namely Hai Phong, Hue, Tuyen Quang, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Nghe An, Tay Ninh, and Ca Mau. The remaining localities are unlikely to meet their targets.