A general population and accommodation census will be conducted in Ho Chi Minh City from the first day of April and wrapped up by April 20, the Steering Board of the Census announced on March 19.

HCM City's population has increased by around one million in the last five year

City residents should be told the aim of the census and must give interviewers precise information of gender, age, nationality, religion, educational level, marital status, job, physical condition and immigrant status.

To keep residents’ trust, interviewers should first explain the data is secret and only general figures are published.

The aim of the census is to aid forecasting and research population growth in the city.

The government will use the data to review socioeconomic plans during 2001-2010 and produce strategies for 2011-2020.

According to the census manager, the city has over 7 million people. Population has increased by approximately one million in the last five years.

The census will be carried out nationwide and about 300,000 interviewers will take part in the national census, including 18,000 for the city, said Deputy Manager of the Board Le Thi Thanh Loan.

"The fourth national census will cost around VND500 billion ($2.9 million)", she added.

This census differs from the previous three with information on physical health, jobs and quality and size of accommodation.

Questions from the public can be answered via a 24 hour hot line, which will be set up next week.