Thanks to a resettlement project outside of Hue, many people will have a happier Tet in better living conditions.
Many fishermen in Phu Vang district, central Thua Thien-Hue province, were once referred to as the “floating families”. But after a VND260 billion (USD13 million) relocation scheme, they have new homes on land in time for the holiday season. Implemented since 2008, the project is aimed to build three resettlement areas for 1,069 households of fishermen, namely Phu Mau, Phu Hau and Huong So.
A two-floor house at Phu Mau resettlement area
There is an excited atmosphere around the Phu Mau resettlement area, where the new houses of the formerly “floating” fisherman are built.
Nguyen Ti is one of the happy recipients of a new 80 square metre house. The windfall has ended his days of living on a boat with his five-member family. He’s given up his old occupation of illegally dredging sand and plans to open a grocery.
Mrs Hoa, 80 years old, is also joyful about her new arrangement. She’s lived in her new home for three months, and says, “Living in this house is very warm and comfortable.”
Busy in taking furniture from the boat to the new house shared, Phan Thi Thu Na said, “I earn VND1 million (USD50) from working at a bakery. I hope to save enough to one day open one of my own with my parents.”
The land for the project was granted two years ago. Now, after the project’s completion, most families here have solid, multi-storey homes.
“I have a television and a lot of furniture in my house. I also have a motorbike. We were able to save a bit of money when we had to fish, and that helped a lot when we moved here,” said Mrs. Phan Thi Thet.
People in Phu Mau resettlement area occupy themselves doing different kinds of jobs to earn extra money on Tet, from selling joss paper products to work in restaurants.
Everyone seems to agree, though, that their lives have improved from a few years ago.
Mr Ti is making worship after moving to his new house
Phan Thi Thu Na and her younger brother and sister
Mrs Thet and her new house
People in Phu Mau resettlement area occupy themselves doing different kinds of jobs to earn extra money
A wedding of fishermen in Phu Mauresettlement area
More chances for children to go to school
A local man introducing his new house