Work starts on over-1,640-unit social housing project near Ho Chi Minh City-Tay Ninh border

The project, executed by Phuong Mai Long An Joint Stock Company, marked a significant step in addressing the acute housing shortage for workers in the province's industrial zones.

The project is part of the province’s social welfare initiative and carries a price tag of some VND1.64 trillion (US$62 million).

Spanning over 5,120 square meters, the project is set to comprise an expanded basement and three 27-story residential towers.

Once completed, it will provide 1,646 apartments for low-income workers and their families.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Van Ut, chairman of the provincial administration, said that the province had been approved by the government to operate 59 industrial parks covering 16,800 hectares and 82 industrial clusters spanning over 4,572 hectares.

Nearly 470,000 workers live and work in these industrial zones, but there remains a severe shortage of social housing, he stated.

The area surrounding the new project is one of Tay Ninh's most vibrant industrial and urban corridors bordering Ho Chi Minh City.

It includes 13 industrial parks and 20 industrial clusters, employing nearly 150,000 workers, 100,000 of whom are internal migrants.

Despite the high demand, the area only has 1,435 social housing units, while the projected need by 2030 is over 38,000 units.

“Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers have continued living in cramped, temporary accommodations that lack essential utilities, fire safety measures, and proper sanitation,” he said.

As such, the province is deeply committed to improving the living conditions of workers through social housing.

He acknowledged the challenges in attracting investment to social housing projects, citing the private sector’s greater focus on commercial real estate.

He expected the new project to be completed on schedule and to a high standard to improve the lives of workers and their families while contributing to the province's long-term social and economic growth.

The provincial leader also called on provincial departments and local authorities to create favorable conditions for future social housing initiatives.