Building public consensus for site clearance through effective public outreach

Strengthening public communication and community engagement

Mrs. Hoang Thi Phuong, who lives at 30/10/83 Nguyen Binh Street in Gia Vien Ward, is among 292 householdswhose residential land is being acquired for the Technical Infrastructure Construction Project Serving the Renovation of Dong Quoc Binh Old Apartment Complex (Phase 2). Upon receiving notice that more than 50 sq.m. of her residential land would be revoked—meaning her family would have to relocate—she understandably had concerns. However, after local authorities explained the significance and long-term benefits of the project, her family agreed to the compensation plan, moved their belongings, and handed over the site.

Mr. Ngo Van Tien, residing at 67 Nguyen Binh Street, also had more than 21 sq.m. of roadside residential land acquired for the same project. Although the land acquisition affected his home, he took the lead in dismantling the affected structures and transferring the site. He said that while his house would become smaller, the completed project would bring upgraded infrastructure and wider roads, benefiting everyone in the neighborhood.

Nearly five months after relocating from Block 8, May To Residential Quarter in Ngo Quyen Ward to a resettlement apartment in the M4A Building of the nine-story Dong Khe Apartment Complex to make way for the Nguyen Trai Bridge Construction and Surrounding Urban Redevelopment Project, Mr. Cao Van Tien and his family have settled into their new home. He shared that many residents were initially concerned about compensation policies and their new living conditions. However, as promised by local authorities during the consultation process, the new apartments offer better quality and a more convenient location, giving relocated households confidence and peace of mind.

During the first six months of 2026, Ngo Quyen and Gia Vien wards carried out site clearance for dozens of projects covering a total area of more than 90 hectares, affecting thousands of organizations and households. Key projects include the Nguyen Trai Bridge Construction and Surrounding Urban Redevelopment Project; the Vu Yen Island Entertainment, Residential and Ecological Park Project; technical infrastructure for the renovation of the Van My and 311 Da Nang old apartment complexes; the Technical Infrastructure Project Serving the Renovation of Dong Quoc Binh Old Apartment Complex (Phase 2); the Le Lai Alley 47 Flower Garden Project; and the upgrading of sidewalks and Nguyen Binh Khiem Street.

As the city implements its new two-tier local government model, accelerating land clearance has become increasingly challenging, particularly in central wards where land values are high. Therefore, alongside ensuring full compensation and support policies, local authorities have placed special emphasis on public communication and community engagement to help residents understand the projects and voluntarily cooperate in handing over land.

Dialogue to resolve difficulties

Chairman of the Ngo Quyen Ward People's Committee, Nguyen Quoc Thai, said the ward has consistently regarded public communication and community engagement as the first step in land clearance, following the principle of "Community engagement paves the way." For each project, the Ward Party Committee develops a detailed plan with clearly assigned responsibilities, while directing the People's Committee and residential groups to hold public meetings and disclose investment plans. Asset inventories, land surveys, and compensation assessments are announced to every affected household and publicly posted at the ward office and residential group offices. As a result, the ward completed land clearance for more than 73 hectares during the first six months of the year.

According to local authorities, one of the key factors behind effective community engagement is maintaining regular dialogue and promptly addressing residents' concerns. Mr. Le Chuong, Vice Chairman of the Gia Vien Ward People's Committee, said that for complex projects, the ward prioritizes dialogue at the grassroots level. In addition to working groups and specialized departments, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the People's Committee meet directly with affected households to discuss their concerns.

A typical example is the Technical Infrastructure Construction Project Serving the Renovation of Dong Quoc Binh Old Apartment Complex (Phase 2). Gia Vien Ward, in coordination with Hai Phong Housing Management and Trading One Member Co., Ltd., established six communication and outreach teams and organized numerous dialogue sessions to provide information and answer residents' questions. The Standing Committee of the Ward Party Committee also regularly inspects the project site and listens directly to residents' concerns and aspirations. As a result, site clearance has progressed significantly, with a substantial reduction in the number of compulsory land recoveries.

The volume of site clearance work in the Ngo Quyen area remains considerable in the coming period. Building on the progress achieved, local authorities will continue to regard community engagement—particularly public communication and dialogue with residents—as the decisive factor in fostering consensus, accelerating land clearance, attracting investment, and promoting the city's urban and socio-economic development.

Ngoc Lan