Gia Lai Province is considering cutting back part of Mount Mot in Quy Nhon and urgently relocating residents as landslide risks threaten nearly 230 households.
The provincial People's Committee on November 5 approved a list of proposed development projects for Quy Nhon Ward, including plans to redevelop Mount Mot and address landslide risks.
The area covers more than 35,000 square metres and is home to nearly 230 households occupying over 13,000 square metres of residential land, averaging around 60 square metres per household.
The mountain was severely affected by storms and flooding in late 2025.
Authorities said the mountain's steep slopes and complex geology, dominated by weathered soil and rock, posed significant landslide risks. Defence facilities on the mountain also require careful assessment before any intervention.
The proposed redevelopment plan covers four main areas: geological surveys and slope stabilisation, resident relocation and resettlement, management of excavated material, and infrastructure development and land use.
Technical experts will examine whether sections of the mountainside can be cut back or lowered to reduce landslide risks. Detailed geological surveys will also assess how drilling equipment can safely reach difficult locations.
The provincial Department of Construction has been tasked with developing an overall plan, identifying high-risk areas, households requiring relocation and priority infrastructure.
Severe landslides have affected Mount Mot, where many households still live. (Photo: Doan Cong)
Authorities are also considering commercial apartments, social housing, parks, green spaces and public facilities on land made available after redevelopment.
Existing plans for social housing will be reviewed to determine whether the land should retain that purpose, be used for resettlement or serve multiple functions.
A preliminary assessment divides residents into three groups: around 15 households with relatively clear land ownership documentation, 45 at the foot of the mountain and 160 on its slopes.
These figures remain under review against the estimated total of nearly 230 households.
Resettlement options include allocating approximately 224 residential plots, providing social housing or apartments, and offering financial compensation to households arranging their own accommodation.
The proposed number of plots will be adjusted according to actual demand.
The Gia Lai People's Committee chairman has ordered authorities to identify dangerous areas and immediately relocate households facing the highest landslide risks, without waiting for the overall project or investor selection.
Emergency relocation and geological surveys are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The overall redevelopment plan is scheduled for preparation in 2027, with implementation expected between 2027 and 2029.
Quy Nhon Ward authorities previously proposed relocating residents and excavating and levelling Mount Mot to address the landslide threat.
Preliminary estimates suggest the work could involve removing around one million cubic metres of soil and rock, at a cost of approximately VND 500 billion (USD 19.2 million).
Revenue from auctioning land after redevelopment is estimated at VND 850 billion (USD 32.6 million).