The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has just issued new instructions on strengthening management, inspection and handling of acts of encroachment on sidewalks and roads.
Previously, Ho Chi Minh City abolished Decision 32/2023 - regulating the temporary permission for organizations and individuals to temporarily use part of the roadway and sidewalk with toll collection to organize events, do business in services, park vehicles, and transport household waste... The abolishment means that these activities will stop being implemented from the time the license expires.
According to the new direction, the People's Committees at the commune level and the Commune-level Police must increase patrols, inspections and resolutely handle acts of encroachment on roads and sidewalks in violation of regulations.
The city requires stepping up propaganda and applying hinhological sanctions to cases of violating road safety corridors and using sidewalks that do not function properly.
Organizations and individuals who need to use sidewalks and roads are only allowed to carry out activities specified in Clause 1, Article 21 of Decree 165/2024/ND-CP. For cases that require a license, the city guides to contact the correct management agency to carry out procedures according to regulations.
Ho Chi Minh City Police are also assigned to increase inspection forces, handle violations and expand the form of punishment through cameras and images, ensuring urban order.
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee requests the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee and heads of relevant units to be responsible if there is a situation of illegal occupation of road safety corridors and use of sidewalks in the management area. All problems beyond the authority must be reported to the Department of Construction for timely guidance or direction to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.
In May 2024, District 1 (formerly) was the first locality to pilot sidewalk rental as a service business location, then expanding to Districts 3, 4, 8, 10 and 12 (formerly).
However, according to a report by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, by July 2025, the total fee collected was only about 8.5 billion VND, much lower than expected.
Currently, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction is completing the Project on management and exploitation of sidewalks and roads for the entire city after merging Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau.
The goal of the project is to effectively exploit the sidewalk space for activities outside of traffic functions but still ensure safety, order and urban beauty.
