Proposal to Apply the Old Land Price Table for Ho Chi Minh City Citizens

1. Current Background and Situation

The Housing Management and Construction Appraisal Center of Ho Chi Minh City recently put forward an important proposal aimed at protecting the rights of citizens who submitted home purchase applications before October 31, 2024. Specifically, the Center recommends continuing to apply the old land price table for these cases to avoid severe financial losses due to significant fluctuations in land prices. Particularly, with the new land price table rising by 4 to 7 times compared to the previous rates, applying the new prices would impose disproportionate burdens on citizens, placing them in an uncontrollable situation and causing severe difficulties in fulfilling financial obligations.

The adjustment of land prices is part of Ho Chi Minh City’s real estate market adjustment policies, aimed at reflecting the actual value of land amid the rapid urban development context. However, the sharp increase in land prices has caused many households to struggle, especially those who had already submitted home purchase applications before the new prices came into effect. It is precisely based on this situation that the Housing Management and Construction Appraisal Center has made this proposal, with the goal of maintaining fairness and protecting the rights of citizens.

2. Impact of the New Land Price Table

Since October 31, 2024, the adjustment of the land price table in Ho Chi Minh City has placed enormous financial pressure on citizens who had already submitted home purchase applications but have not yet received approval. The significant increase in land prices has led to a surge in taxes and fees, which has had particularly adverse effects on those waiting for their applications to be processed. Many households submitted applications a long time ago, but due to administrative bottlenecks, the approval process has been delayed. This has led to a situation where citizens not only have to bear increased financial burdens but also lose psychological stability, negatively affecting their future economic plans.

Applying the new land price table to those who had submitted their applications early is seen as unfair and lacking rationality. The fluctuation in land prices forces many people to face costs beyond their ability to pay, which contradicts the spirit of helping citizens gain access to public housing in a reasonable and transparent manner. Without proper adjustments, this situation could push many households into economic hardship, especially those in the low to middle-income group, who are unable to adapt quickly to sudden increases in costs.

3. Illustrative Example

A specific example of this situation is the state-owned houses located on Hai Ba Trung Street in District 3. These houses were built in 1978 and were initially provided to employees of enterprises to rent. This is one of many public housing projects aimed at providing stable accommodation for employees working in state agencies and enterprises. In 2016, the residents here submitted applications to purchase these houses in accordance with national regulations. However, despite having official documentation confirming that these properties are state-owned assets and agreeing to consider selling them to 17 households, the approval process has still not been completed eight years later.

This delay not only increases the residents' sense of insecurity but also subjects them to significant financial losses due to the new land price table. Families that have lived here for many years now face uncertainty regarding property ownership and are forced to pay taxes and fees far beyond what they originally anticipated. For these families, their homes are not only places of residence but also places filled with memories and assets to secure the future for their descendants.

4. Proposal and Benefits for Citizens

The Housing Management and Construction Appraisal Center of Ho Chi Minh City has officially proposed that the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City should consider not applying the new land price table to cases where applications were submitted before October 31, 2024. The purpose of this proposal is to ensure fairness for citizens, particularly in the context where a sudden increase in land prices could lead to a significant rise in costs. Continuing to apply the old land price table for cases already submitted would help maintain a reasonable cost level, aligned with the financial capacity of citizens, while also overcoming problems within the approval process.

Moreover, continuing to apply the old land price table for those citizens who submitted their applications early would help stabilize their psychological well-being, reduce financial pressure, and make personal financial planning easier. This also helps to reduce inequality in access to public housing, ensuring that citizens are not placed in difficult situations simply because of policy changes. By implementing this proposal, the city government can demonstrate its flexibility in management and express its concern for the actual needs of citizens, thereby creating a more sustainable and stable community environment.

Applying the old land price table can also help reduce potential disputes between citizens and functional agencies, thereby creating a more transparent, efficient, and less stressful administrative environment. Particularly for families with limited income, the old land price table will help them have more opportunities to own a home, which also promotes the city’s social welfare policy, ensuring that every citizen has a fair and reasonable opportunity to obtain housing.

5. Conclusion

The proposal from the Housing Management and Construction Appraisal Center of Ho Chi Minh City holds profound significance in protecting the rights of citizens, particularly those facing instability due to policy changes. For those who have already submitted applications, temporarily not applying the new land price table not only demonstrates flexibility in management but also helps create a more transparent and equitable approval environment. At the same time, this is an important step toward reducing various drawbacks and promoting the swift and effective resolution of public housing applications.

Additionally, this proposal reflects the city government's strong commitment to protecting the legitimate rights of citizens, especially those who have patiently waited for the approval process for many years. Temporarily not applying the new land price table to these cases is a clear expression of social responsibility and empathy for the difficulties faced by citizens. The city government should continue to implement similar policies, not only to resolve current issues but also to build trust and cohesion between the government and citizens, toward a comprehensively and sustainably developed city.

In summary, the implementation of housing policies must be carefully considered in terms of their actual impact on citizens' lives. Applying the old land price table for those who have already submitted applications is not only a fair solution but also a necessary strategy to ensure economic and psychological stability for citizens, contributing to building a prosperous and livable Ho Chi Minh City for everyone.