On November 5, the People's Committee of Dinh Cong Ward held a meeting to outline plans to address violations at housing projects linked to the Muong Thanh Group ecosystem, represented or owned by Le Thanh Than.
Nguyen Tuan Anh, chairman of Dinh Cong Ward People's Committee, said four apartment blocks, CT11, CT12A, CT12B and CT12C, at Kim Van-Kim Lu had been found to have four categories of violations.
About 246 apartments from the second to the fourth floors in the CT11, CT12A, CT12B and CT12C buildings in Kim Van - Kim Lu are subject to relocation (Photo: Bach Huy Thanh).
These include the misuse of ground-floor space and the conversion of areas on floors two to four, originally designated for commercial services, nurseries and community activities, into residential apartments. The developer also altered the approved apartment floor-area distribution from the fourth floor upwards.
The unauthorised changes increased the residential population, putting pressure on technical and social infrastructure, Tuan Anh said.
An initial review identified 246 apartments, ranging from 43 to 74 square metres, whose occupants are expected to be relocated to remedy the violations.
"The city's and the ward's position is to deal strictly with the violations while ensuring, to the greatest extent possible, the rights and social welfare of affected residents," Tuan Anh said.
The options under consideration include the developer negotiating financial compensation and covering relocation costs; offering equivalent apartments in Thanh Ha urban area to households that wish to move there; providing cash compensation so residents can find new homes themselves; or allowing them to apply to buy or rent social housing.
The vacated space is expected to be prioritised for community activities, commercial services and amenities for residents of the apartment blocks.
Tuan Anh said the ward would continue inspecting the current condition of all four buildings to help municipal authorities determine which structures could remain, which would need to be relocated or which would have to be demolished. The ward would also publish the list of 246 apartments potentially subject to relocation, together with an implementation plan and timeline.
He said he would personally meet affected households to hear their concerns, answer questions and consider their proposals.
Under the plan, inspections of all four buildings will take place in October and November 2026. Authorities will identify structures that can remain or must be demolished, determine compensation levels, update the list of apartments whose residents need to move and develop plans for using the space after the violations have been remedied.
The relocation is expected to take place in 2027, following approval of the plan by the competent authorities. Local authorities will work with relevant departments and the developer to inform residents, encourage their co-operation and guide them through the relocation process.
Between 2027 and 2028, buildings, structures and apartments designated for demolition will be dealt with in accordance with decisions by the competent authorities. Demolition work must ensure safety and public order while minimising disruption to surrounding communities.
At the meeting, Tran Lan Phuong, secretary of the Party cell of Residential Group 27, said the enforcement measures would have a significant impact on residents' lives, particularly families with young children who might have to change schools if they moved.
She urged authorities to assess the situation carefully, establish an appropriate timeline, provide transparent information and hold more consultations to ensure that the law was enforced while minimising disruption to residents.
Uong Van Cuong, head of the management board of block CT12C, said many residents wished to remain in their current homes. If relocation proved unavoidable, they hoped authorities would adopt a fair and reasonable solution that protected their rights and helped them settle into their new homes as quickly as possible.
The CT11 building in Kim Van - Kim Lu has many apartments subject to relocation (Photo: Bach Huy Thanh).
On October 28, the Hanoi People's Council approved a resolution introducing special mechanisms and policies to address violations of land regulations and construction order in conjunction with urban renovation and improvement.
The resolution covers 12 projects involving businesses in which Le Thanh Than acts as a legal representative, manager, owner, capital contributor or investment partner.
The projects were originally approved for a total of 6,759 apartments, but 24,943 were actually built, an excess of 18,184 units.
The city has said that enforcement must be objective and transparent, while protecting the legitimate rights of homebuyers who were not responsible for the violations.
The special mechanism does not alter the nature of the violations, and developers must bear all costs of remedying the consequences. On this basis, unauthorised structures and components will be reviewed and classified into two categories: those permitted to remain subject to conditions and those required to be demolished.
