Property ownership and resettlement options in Vietnam: the case of District 8, Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract

Vietnam’s ongoing rapid urbanization has caused widespread informal settlement in Ho Chi Minh City. The city government has announced slum renewal plans to achieve sustainable slum redevelopment with the relocation of residents. This study aimed to analyze slum residents’ desired property ownership and resettlement options. Through site observations and door-to-door interviews within District 8 (Ward 14), one of the worst slums in Ho Chi Minh City, our findings revealed that the lack of property ownership is a critical factor in terms of resettlement choices: most residents prefer in-situ slum upgrading or ‘site-and-service’ relocation, which includes better housing quality and legal tenure, while other dwellers with property ownership prefer cash compensation and self-relocation. The findings of this study can help facilitate the sustainable redevelopment of slums in Vietnam, and demonstrate that resettlement options other than cash compensation should be considered to retain high levels of property ownership. Highlights Riverfront slum housing in Ho Chi Minh City are inferior to inner block areas Lack of property ownership is critical in resettlement choices of slum residents Most slum residents prefer in-situ slum upgrading or ‘site and services’ relocation Residents who own properties tend to choose cash compensation and self-relocation Each subgroup requires more elaborate and customized approach during redevelopment.