Solving the social housing problem - the key to sustainable development of industrial zones in Nghe An.
Along with attracting investment, the demand for social housing in the province, especially housing for workers and laborers in industrial zones, is increasing rapidly. Therefore, the issue of providing stable housing for workers remains a problem that needs to be addressed in the future.
The demand for social housing is increasing.
In recent years, Nghe An has emerged as an attractive destination for many domestic and foreign investors. Industrial parks such as Nam Cam, VSIP Nghe An, Hoang Mai I, WHA Industrial Zone, and many others have continuously expanded, attracting tens of thousands of young workers. However, the majority of this workforce has average to low incomes. Access to commercial housing is beyond the financial means of many. A significant number of workers have to rent accommodation in informal residential areas with limited living conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and potential problems related to security, the environment, and long-term quality of life.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh, a worker at the WHA Industrial Zone in Nghe An (Trung Loc commune), currently residing in Van Kieu commune (formerly Nghi Loc district), said that the distance from her home to work is over 15 km, and with both her and her husband being factory workers, daily commuting has become a constant worry. On rainy and windy days, the long distance makes arriving at the company on time even more difficult and risky. "I just hope to have a social housing unit near the industrial zone so I can easily leave my children there and work with peace of mind," Ms. Quynh expressed.
The story of Ms. Quynh's family reflects the common reality for many workers employed in industrial zones and clusters in Nghe An province. The majority of workers have to rent accommodation far from their workplaces, living in cramped and unstable conditions; commuting is time-consuming and costly, especially for families with young children.
Not only in the province's major industrial zones, but also in some former districts such as Yen Thanh, Tan Ky, and Do Luong, recent years have attracted many garment and footwear businesses, creating jobs for tens of thousands of workers, including a significant number of workers from other provinces and cities. However, to date, these areas still lack social housing for workers.
This reality highlights the urgent need for the development of social housing, especially housing for workers in industrial zones. This is not only a social welfare issue, but also directly related to the ability to retain labor, stabilize production, and create a foundation for sustainable economic development of the locality.
Major projects are taking shape.
Recognizing the importance of social housing, Nghe An province has been implementing many large-scale projects, mainly concentrated in the Southeast Economic Zone, an area with a high density of workers.
In Trung Loc commune (formerly Nghi Loc district), the project "Social housing area for workers and laborers working in industrial zones of the Southeast Economic Zone at location No. 1" is being implemented by the investor with an area of 3.48 hectares and a population of approximately 1,792 people. The project includes 7 five-story apartment buildings with a total of 493 apartments, of which about 388 are for sale and 105 are for rent. To date, the project has completed the construction of 2 out of 7 buildings; the other 4 are in the finishing stages and the remaining 1 has not yet started construction.
According to the plan, the entire project will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2026. Once operational, it will provide a significant supply, contributing to addressing the housing needs of workers in the Nam Cam area and its surroundings. The investor will soon propose to the Provincial People's Committee to expand the project to over 6 hectares, in order to better meet the demand for social housing in the area.
Another project expected to create a breakthrough in the supply of social housing is the "Social Housing Project for Workers and Employees in the Nam Cam Industrial Park at Location No. 3". The project covers an area of 10.82 hectares, comprising 13 ten-story apartment buildings with a total of 3,420 apartments, of which 2,880 are social housing units. With a total investment of over 3,495 billion VND, this is considered the largest social housing project ever in Nghe An. According to the plan, the project will be completed in the first quarter of 2027.
Furthermore, at location number 4, the previous social housing project was terminated due to the investor failing to meet the required deposit guarantee. However, the Provincial People's Committee is considering approving a new project. The project has a total area of over 92,000 m², with nearly 2,901 social housing units in a 10-story building. If implemented on schedule, this project will add a large number of social housing units, contributing to balancing supply and demand in the Nam Cam area, while also addressing the shortcomings of the terminated project.
Overall, in the next few years, if the projects at locations 01, 03, and 04 are implemented on schedule, Nghe An will have thousands more social housing units, mainly serving workers in the Nam Cam Industrial Park and the Southeast Economic Zone.
However, compared to the rapidly increasing actual demand, especially as many new industrial zones continue to expand, this supply still only meets a fraction of the need. To truly address the social housing problem, Nghe An needs to continue improving preferential mechanisms and policies, selecting investors with genuine capabilities, and accelerating investment in off-site technical infrastructure. Integrating social housing development with urban planning, industrial zone planning, and public services and utilities is also crucial to ensuring a long-term quality of life for workers.
Recently, during a site inspection of social housing projects in the province, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Bui Thanh An, affirmed that the province's plan to develop social housing in conjunction with industrial zones is a correct policy, consistent with practical requirements and current development trends. This is a fundamental solution to address the housing needs of workers and laborers, while contributing to stabilizing the workforce and creating a foundation for sustainable production and business development.
Attracting capable investors with strong financial resources and experience in housing development is crucial. Along with housing construction, projects need to be implemented with a comprehensive system of social infrastructure, including schools, healthcare facilities (including hospitals), and essential services to support residents' lives. This is a key factor in ensuring that social housing not only meets the need for housing but also guarantees a quality of life, contributing effectively to social welfare goals in the province.
Comrade Bui Thanh An - Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee
The demand for social housing in Nghe An is high and will continue to increase in the coming years. The province has focused on boosting supply through many large-scale projects, but to fully and sustainably meet the demand, more coordinated and decisive action from all levels, sectors, and investors is still needed.
