Sidewalk, roadway order in Ho Chi Minh City improves, but challenges remain

Speaking at a regular press briefing on the city’s socio-economic performance on Thursday, a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction said the situation regarding roadways and sidewalks has improved markedly.

The official said that the department would continue to closely coordinate with the municipal police, relevant departments and relevant units to carry out patrols and strictly handle encroachment cases.

Preliminary assessments show positive changes in many areas such as Ba Chieu Market, Nguyen Tri Phuong Market, Nguyen Trai Street, Cach Mang Thang Tam Street and Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street.

These areas and streets have largely been restored to orderly use, improving traffic flow and convenience for residents.

However, maintaining clear and accessible sidewalks in a sustainable manner, especially to prevent re-encroachment when enforcement forces are not constantly present, remains a challenge.

To address this, the municipal Department of Construction plans to step up communication and public awareness campaigns to encourage compliance with regulations.

The city also aims to establish and strengthen community-based monitoring mechanisms, while enhancing the responsibility of grassroots-level traffic safety committees.

Local economic, infrastructure and urban management offices will provide professional guidance, while commune-level police forces will play a core role in patrols, inspections and enforcement.

The city will make surveillance camera systems more effective, and develop and operate digital applications and public feedback channels in a bid to promptly detect violators.

In the longer term, the city will continue investing in synchronized transport infrastructure, prioritizing the upgrading and widening of roads, and the construction of sidewalks and pedestrian walkways.

The development of public parking facilities, especially in downtown areas and near markets and schools, will also be accelerated.

The city is also studying and piloting software to manage the temporary use of roadways and sidewalks, allowing residents and businesses with legitimate needs to register and use public space in accordance with regulations.

The effort is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in urban order management.

Dialogue with street vendors on sidewalk regulations

The municipal Department of Construction said it will work with local authorities to engage directly with business households and street vendors, encouraging compliance with sidewalk regulations through outreach and dialogue.

Officials will listen to and consider legitimate feedback and proposals, allowing policies and management solutions to be adjusted and refined where necessary.

Guidance and support will also be provided to help residents transition to business models that are more suitable to urban planning requirements and real-world conditions.