“Rapid implementation” of workers’ housing dream

Less than one month after Party General Secretary, State President To Lam called for the development of rental social housing, Dong Nai City broke ground on the country’s first rental social housing project on June 12. The project’s swift launch demonstrates the city’s determination to implement the Central Government's major policy.

More importantly, the initiative directly addresses one of the most urgent needs of thousands of workers and low-income residents in a major industrial and urban center: access to stable, affordable housing.

Addressing a real and urgent need

For many years, Dong Nai has consistently been among the leading localities nationwide in industrial development. Dozens of industrial parks (IPs) with hundreds of thousands of laborers have contributed significantly to driving economic growth and urban development. However, behind these growth figures lies considerable pressure on social welfare, including housing.

Model of the Long Binh Rental Social Housing Project in Amata Industrial Park (Long Binh Ward).

According to 2025 statistics from the construction sector, Dong Nai City needs about 150,000 to 160,000 social housing units. Around 70% of this demand comes from workers and laborers employed at industrial parks. In the Long Binh area alone, there are six industrial parks within a radius of 5 to 7 kilometers, with more than 250,000 people working there, many of whom need housing.

For years, most workers have lived in privately operated rental rooms that are often cramped and offer limited living conditions. Many families struggle to balance housing expenses with childcare and daily living costs, making home ownership an unattainable goal.

The Long Binh Rental Social Housing Project aims to provide stable, safe, and affordable accommodation, directly responding to these challenges and meeting the practical needs of workers and businesses alike.

Nguyen Thi Hoa, Chairwoman of the grassroots Trade Union of Quadrille Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Amata Industrial Park, welcomed the project. She noted that many workers still have to rent rooms with limited living conditions and high costs. The local government's investment in a social housing-for-rent project near their workplace at an affordable price will help them reduce spending pressure, secure stable housing, and thus feel secure in committing long-term to the enterprise. "This is a very humane policy, meeting the actual needs of workers, contributing to improving their quality of life and ensuring social welfare," said Hoa.

The project is funded entirely through public investment and is not intended to generate profit. Instead, its primary objective is to improve housing access for workers and low-income residents. According to Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai City Construction Investment Project Management Board and the project owner's representative, the development has been designed to maximize usable space while offering a variety of apartment sizes ranging from 37 to 70 square meters. Through the use of public funding, standardized designs, and cost-efficient construction methods, the project aims to keep rental rates affordable while ensuring efficient use of state resources.

According to the investor, rental prices will be set in accordance with current regulations, ensuring a balance between supporting low-income individuals and the efficient use of state capital. "Thanks to clean land, public investment funds, and preferential mechanisms, the expected rental price will be significantly lower than the commercial rental housing market in the area," Tuan shared.

Accelerating construction to deliver homes sooner

The Long Binh Social Housing for Rent is a project that commenced "rapidly" within 1 month of the conclusion of the Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on developing this housing model. This is also the first rental social housing project nationwide. This demonstrates the urgency, effort, and determination of Dong Nai City in realizing the new policy of the Central Government.

Going further, under the initial plan, phase 1 of the project would be implemented over four years from the time funding is allocated. However, given the urgent housing need, the project's social welfare significance, and the expectations of many workers and residents, the City Party Committee directed that the implementation timeline be shortened to one year, equal to one-fourth of the original schedule. The entire 10,000-apartment project must also be completed within two years to meet the housing needs of workers and low-income groups.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the Dong Nai City People's Committee, Nguyen Van Ut, stated: “This is not simply a housing construction project. It is a project with profound social significance. We expect it to create a civilized and modern living environment with essential amenities, improving residents’ quality of life, and realizing the goal of stable housing for stable livelihoods.”

The Chairman of the City People's Committee instructed departments and contractors to maintain close coordination, quickly resolve obstacles, and ensure strict oversight throughout construction. Contractors have been directed to mobilize maximum resources, maintain construction quality, adhere to environmental and safety regulations, and meet the accelerated schedule.

The first phase of the Long Binh Rental Social Housing Project, located near Amata Industrial Park in Long Binh Ward, comprises 1,000 apartments and is expected to be completed within 1 year. The entire project, comprising 10,000 apartments, is expected to be completed within 2 years.

The implementation of a housing project comprising 10,000 apartments, complete with essential supporting infrastructure, demonstrates a people-centered approach, aiming to build a civilized and modern residential community for the city. If implemented as planned, this project will bring benefits far beyond the scope of construction work.

Stable housing enables workers to feel more secure and remain committed to their jobs. As a result, businesses gain a more stable workforce, while industrial parks become more attractive to investors. At the local level, the project will help ease pressure from spontaneous development of rental housing, provide the economy with a stronger foundation for sustainable growth, and further improve urban quality and residents' lives. Moreover, the project will serve as a model and an important milestone for the nationwide social housing-for-rent development program.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho