HCM City Revamps Canals to Ease Flooding and Spur Development

HCM City authorities are upgrading and renovating canals, targeting the removal of over 41,500 houses built on or alongside waterways between 2026 and 2030. The city is investing heavily in projects like the VNĐ7.3 trillion (US$287 million) renovation of the Đôi Canal, a key waterway in the city’s southwestern region.

Decades of rapid urbanisation led to encroachment on canals, reducing water surface area, increasing pollution, and hindering drainage. The Đôi Canal project, spanning 4.3km, focuses on dredging, embankment construction, and road expansion.

A significant 75 per cent of the project budget is allocated to compensating and resettling affected residents, reflecting a broader effort to improve living conditions alongside infrastructure development. City officials believe these canal renovations will improve drainage, reduce flooding, and create new public spaces.