Persistent waste sites plague Ho Chi Minh City ward despite mitigation efforts

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment said in a March report that the ward still has four persistent waste hotspots requiring resolution.

Field observations showed garbage concentrated at several locations, including Nuoc Den Canal, Binh Long Street, areas inside Binh Hung Hoa Cemetery, and along nearby roads and bridges.

At Nuoc Den Canal, household waste and plastic debris were seen floating on dark, foul-smelling water, which residents said has persisted for years.

People living near the canal said odors intensify during hot weather, particularly in the afternoon, affecting daily life.

Some residents said periodic clean-ups only remove waste from the water and leave it drying on the roadside, where heat and wind spread the smell further.

Local authorities said the continued dumping is partly due to low public awareness and illegal disposal at vacant sites, often occurring at night and making enforcement difficult.

Officials said measures to address the issue include increasing inspections, requiring proper waste collection contracts for businesses, installing cameras and lighting at dumping sites, and strengthening patrols to detect violations.

They added that improving public awareness would be key to resolving the problem sustainably.