900 streets in HCMC qualify for sidewalk rental

The list was released by the city's Department of Transport in a document guiding the implementation of regulations on using roadways and sidewalks for parking and business operations starting from Jan. 1.

Other streets that meet the conditions will continue to be updated by local authorities.

Streets on the current list spans across the city, from downtown Districts 1 and 3 to outlying Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, and Can Gio.

According to the Transport Department, sidewalks eligible for "rental" must be at least three meters wide, so that 1.5 meters can be saved for pedestrians and the rest rented.

For roadways, after at least two lanes are reserved for cars in one direction, the remaining part, if eligible, can be used for other activities besides traffic purposes, according to the plan.

The rental fee in the inner-city areas will be more expensive than the suburbs.

The lowest fee for parking activities is VND50,000 (US$2), and the highest is VND350,000 per square meter per month. Other activities will be charged between VND20,000-100,000 per square meter per month.

The department will collect the fees at large streets under its management while districts and communes will manage smaller streets under their jurisdiction.

The fee collection will adopt technology and minimize the use of cash to ensure transparency and save personnel.

The Department of Transport is finalizing a proposal to develop management software, after which the fee rates, collection methods, and exploitation plans will be publicly announced so citizens can access and monitor the information.

For many years, sidewalks in major Vietnamese cities have been encroached to do business or park vehicles, affecting traffic and aesthetics. While teams have been deployed to clean up the sidewalks in the past, the effects did not last long.

Hanoi has also announced plans to collect sidewalk rentals next year.