Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính chairs the third meeting of the National Steering Committee on Housing and Real Estate Market Policy on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính stressed the need to improve discipline and transparency in social housing development as he chaired the third meeting of the National Steering Committee on Housing and Real Estate Market Policy on Tuesday. 

The PM, who also serves as the head of the committee, underscored that people should have quick, affordable and convenient access to social housing, without excessive procedures, unreasonable costs or fraud risks.

Under the national project to develop one million social housing units by 2030, Việt Nam now counts 696 social housing projects underway, with a total of more than 637,000 units planned. Of these, over 128,600 units have been completed. Many localities have allocated favourable spots near urban centres or industrial zones for social housing projects, with adequate technical and social infrastructure.

Estimates from the Ministry of Construction reveal that around 17 localities will achieve or exceed their 2025 targets for social housing, namely: Hà Nội, HCM City, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng, Huế, Bắc Ninh, Nghệ An, Phú Thọ, Cà Mau, Hưng Yên, Quảng Ninh, Quảng Ngãi, Đồng Nai, Thái Nguyên, Ninh Bình, Quảng Trị and Tuyên Quang.

However, 13 localities are unlikely to meet the targets: Cần Thơ, Sơn La, Hà Tĩnh, Lạng Sơn, Lâm Đồng, Gia Lai, An Giang, Đắk Lắk, Đồng Tháp, Lào Cai, Tây Ninh, Khánh Hòa and Vĩnh Long.

Deputy construction minister Nguyễn Văn Sinh said that in the remaining two months of 2025, relevant ministries and departments must continue their work to carry out the PM’s Directive 190/CĐ-TTg on increasing housing supply, reducing prices and stabilising the real estate market.

Discussions at the meeting on Tuesday centred on current real estate development, housing and real estate policies, as well as measures to promote a healthy, sustainable and efficient real estate market. 

In particular, the review focused on investment procedures, land allocation, credit packages and funding and bottlenecks related to social housing development, along with addressing signs of misconduct in the approval, sale or rental of social housing.

The National Steering Committee on Housing and Real Estate Market Policy emphasised the need to shorten and simplify investment procedures, ensure transparency regarding land plots and contractor selection and continue financial support to develop social housing projects. 

Strong and effective measures are especially needed to strengthen transparency and prevent misconduct in implementing social housing policies.

A hybrid commercial and social housing project under construction in Phan Rang Ward, Khánh Hòa Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Công Thử

Speaking at the meeting, Chính reiterated that social housing development is a major initiative and a humane policy of the Party and State, ensuring citizens’ right to housing and leaving no one behind in the national development process.

This approach will promote social housing and a healthy real estate market, contributing to macroeconomic stability, inflation control, economic growth and major economic balances, serving as a driver for rapid and sustainable development, he noted. 

The Government leader called on ministries, departments, local authorities, businesses and investors to proactively implement a healthy and sustainable real estate and social housing market in accordance with the law. They should promptly address obstacles within their power, while issues beyond their authority should be reported for higher-level consideration, he said.

Noting that verifying eligibility for social housing is a difficult task, the PM stressed that this process must be conducted more efficiently, under the principle of reducing upfront checks and increasing post-verification procedures. For informal workers, verification is delegated to local police. 

Application paperwork for social housing should be simplified and easy to complete and submit, whether in person or online, he said. 

In addition to perfecting policies and regulations related to social housing, Chính also encouraged businesses with available land to coordinate with authorities to develop social housing units and design projects priced affordably for citizens, in the spirit of national solidarity. 

He also urged maximising funding for housing development, particularly for social housing and for people who rent, lease or purchase housing units. Funding sources could be central or local budgets and loans.

The Ministry of Construction is tasked with reviewing and completing legal frameworks to remove the current bottlenecks, including revising planning criteria specific to projects and establishing a standardised national procedure for social housing investment.

The construction ministry will also coordinate with the ministries of finance, agriculture and environment as well as relevant agencies to work with reputable real estate companies, proposing to use their available land for social housing development.

A transaction centre for real estate and land use rights is also planned to be established under State management to enhance transparency.

The State Bank of Vietnam will accelerate the disbursement of the VNĐ145 trillion (US$5.5 billion) credit programme for social and worker housing, with easier and more accessible conditions. 

While the eligibility conditions and procedures for this credit programme will be simplified by removing the requirement that the investor must be on provincial-level project lists, the PM emphasised the need for stringent inspections and strict handling of violations or abuse in this matter.

Meanwhile, credit packages supporting social housing policies and preferential loans for first-time house buyers under 35 will also be promoted. 

PM Chính has asked leaders at all levels of the Party and Government to promptly address issues in the implementation process, strengthen inspections against corruption and policy abuse, ensure fairness, strictly handle illegal brokerage and ensure that enterprises with available land plots are given the best possible conditions to cooperate with the State in developing social housing. — VNS