Ho Chi Minh City tightens enforcement to restore sidewalk order

The firm approach has gained broad public support.

Even those found in violation have largely cooperated once the rules were clearly explained, with no reports of disputes or resistance.

On Wednesday morning, authorities in Thanh My Tay Ward conducted inspections on several streets, including Nguyen Gia Tri and Ung Van Khiem to address sidewalk encroachment.

The area is home to numerous universities, offices, and companies, but several streets have long been considered hotspots for illegal occupation of sidewalks and roadways.

During the inspection, seven individuals were booked for unlawfully using the sidewalks, while multiple signboards, handcarts, and street vending equipment were confiscated.

Authorities allowed residents to retrieve their goods and belongings after enforcement actions, while explaining the city’s policy and how such encroachments obstruct pedestrian movement and traffic flow.

As a result, most violators complied willingly.

Many voluntarily dismantled awnings and platforms rather than making temporary adjustments in response to inspections.

For more permanent structures fixed to the ground and extending onto sidewalks, authorities granted residents time to remove them and indicated follow-up inspections would be conducted.

The campaign follows the city’s launch of a peak enforcement period targeting violations of urban order.

Multiple forces, including traffic police, local authorities, ward and commune police, and urban order units, have stepped up patrols and enforcement against sidewalk and roadway encroachment.

Over five days of coordinated action from January 15 to 19, the Hang Xanh traffic police team partnered with authorities and police in Gia Dinh, Binh Loi Trung, Hanh Thong, and An Nhon Wards to handle more than 160 cases related to the illegal use of sidewalks and roadbeds.

Enforcement efforts have led to noticeable improvements in several areas.

Where inspections were carried out, encroachment declined significantly, making streets clearer and sidewalks more accessible.

Nguyen Gia Tri Street was markedly more open on Wednesday morning, while in the central areas of Ho Chi Minh City, vehicles were more orderly parked, and pedestrians were able to walk comfortably along clean, unobstructed sidewalks.

However, in some locations, there are still signs of sidewalk encroachment.

Many residents have expressed hope that this campaign will be sustained on a regular basis, with stricter follow-up inspections, particularly for cases where individuals had previously signed commitments not to re-encroach.

Only through consistent enforcement, order, and discipline on streets and sidewalks can be firmly maintained.

Linking accountability to local leadership

Vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong emphasized that restoring urban order is a regular, long-term task that must be closely tied to the responsibility of local leaders.

Colonel Nguyen Dinh Duong, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security, stressed that the entire force must strictly adhere to principles of transparency, objectivity, and fairness – avoiding favoritism or evasion while remaining flexible, reasonable, and humane, and steering clear of rigid or overly harsh approaches that could cause unnecessary public frustration.

A representative of the city’s Department of Construction said the department had proposed the Ministry of Construction soon issue guiding regulations for the amended Construction Law.

The department also suggested granting provincial-level People’s Committees the authority to regulate and issue rules on the temporary use of sidewalks and roadways for purposes suited to local conditions, in order to improve urban management while supporting socio-economic development in major cities.