From a cramped rented room to the dream of having a house
Attached to Dong Pho Moi Industrial Park for more than 6 years, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung (from Si Ma Cai commune, Lao Cai province) has repeatedly "turned aside" his dream of buying a house. With worker income, raising two young children has accounted for the majority of spending, and accumulating to buy a house is almost a distant thing.
His family's rented room of less than 20m2 is located deep in a small alley. Hot summer, leaking everywhere in the rainy season. Furniture is packed, the two children have to study right on the bed.
The rent is nearly 2 million VND per month, not including electricity and water. Living in a mountain town, but living costs are increasing, working as a worker is only enough to cover expenses, saving is very difficult" - Mr. Hung said.
Mr. Hung's dream of settling down became clearer when the Trade Union of Industrial Parks of Lao Cai province introduced him to register to buy social housing in the left bank of the Red River, Lao Cai ward. With a price of about 17 million VND/m2 and preferential loan policies, his family had the opportunity to own a private apartment for the first time.
In just a few months, if everything goes smoothly, my family will move to a new house. Thinking about the scene of children having a place to study, husband and wife having a decent place to live, I have more motivation to work" - Mr. Hung shared.
Accelerate projects, expand housing opportunities
To solve the "thirst" for housing for workers, Lao Cai is simultaneously implementing many large-scale social housing projects.
At the social housing project on the left bank of the Red River (Lao Cai ward), nearly 800 apartments have been registered, of which a large number are workers and laborers.
According to Mr. Doan Van Tuan - Director of Hacom Lao Cai Investment Joint Stock Company, the project will be handed over in mid-2026. In parallel with that, the Yen Ninh social housing project (Yen Bai ward) is also being accelerated, expected to be completed in early 2027, providing an additional 807 apartments for more than 2,100 residents.
Similarly, the construction atmosphere is also urgent at the social housing area adjacent to extended B6 road (Cam Duong ward). With 4 25-story building blocks, the project is expected to provide about 2,192 apartments, and is currently completing the final items to be handed over in June.
A noteworthy point is that social housing projects in Lao Cai today are not only limited to providing accommodation, but are also synchronously invested in infrastructure and amenities. From community living areas, parking lots, green trees to internal traffic systems... all are aimed at a stable and long-term living environment.
Social housing is no longer just simple cheap housing. We aim to build civilized residential areas, fully equipped with amenities, so that workers can settle down and be attached for a long time," said the representative of the investor. Through surveys, the whole province currently has 7 social housing projects under construction, 8 projects have been approved for investment policy, along with 33 land areas planned for the development of this type. In the period 2025 - 2030, Lao Cai aims to complete about 8,300 social housing units - a figure that shows the great determination of the highland province in solving the housing problem.
Mr. Ly Binh Minh - Vice Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Council - affirmed that developing social housing is an "important political task", aimed at improving people's lives, especially workers and low-income people.
The Provincial People's Council especially focuses on publicity and transparency in subject approval, ensuring that each apartment reaches the right people" - Mr. Minh emphasized.
When the "dream of settling down" gradually becomes a reality, it is also the time for Lao Cai to have another important driving force to retain workers - indispensable links in the economic development cycle.
