The city has five main canals running over 105 kilometres, which help drain water for 14,200 hectares.
HCM authorities started a project in 1993 to remove the poor housing and improve the environment along the canals. However, the project has seen very slow progress, with just over 38,185 out of over 65,000 households relocated between 1993-2020. The city then made a target to clear 6,500 more homes during the 2021-2025 period but just 2,867 have been relocated so far.
About 10,000 homes along the Doi Canal in District 8 need to be removed. Most were built from metal or wooden sheets on concrete frames that illegally encroach upon the canal.
The same situation can be seen along the Xuyen Tam Canal in Binh Thanh District.
Housing along Van Thanh Canal in Binh Thanh District.
Te Canal in District 4 has also been largely affected by illegal houses.
Homes and rubbish have blocked water flows, causing serious pollution.
Residents face threats of erosion and potential disease.
