Erosion of land around the Saigon River – Thanh Da peninsula over recent years has become a serious threat to both land and people in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ly Hoang villa area in Binh Thanh District suffered damage from serious erosion on June 25. (Photo: SGGP)

The most serious landslips have taken place in Thanh Da Peninsula in Binh Thanh District, said Tran The Ky, head of the Waterway Transport Management Unit.

Erosion in the area has been increasing recently, destabilizing infrastructure and housing. 

On June 25, Ly Hoang villa area was seriously damaged, with around 330 square meters of land and some trees being swept away.

According to authorities in Binh Thanh District, recent landslips have occurred around the peninsula, and have warned of more landslides and urged residents to consolidate dykes and embankments to protect their property.

Many families living along HCM City’s rivers are endangering themselves by ignoring the high risk of erosion said officials.

Despite erosion warnings along the Thanh Da peninsula, many families still live there and riverfront restaurants and coffee shops are always crowded.

The city People’s Committee has ordered the Department of Transport and Public Works, and district governments, to prepare to relocate residents from dangerous areas.

The city needs to make greater efforts to ensure homes are not built too close to the river, officials said.

Last year HCMC decided to take back 23,990 square meters of land in Binh Thanh District to build embankments that could prevent landslips in Thanh Da.

Currently, the most serious landslips have been taken place in Nha Be District and Thanh Da peninsula in Binh Thanh District.

Meanwhile, embankment reinforcement projects to prevent landslips in those areas are behind schedule.

City authorities have authorized 21 landslide prevention projects. Of those, one project was completed earlier this year, two others are in progress, six have yet to get underway and 12 are waiting funds.

HCM City has 62 locations with high risks of landslips, mainly in Binh Chanh, Can Gio, Nha Be and Binh Thanh districts.

Nha Be District has 26 areas prone to landslips, with the longest section being 1.7 kilometers long.