Ho Chi Minh City accelerates digital transformation of building permits and considers moving toward exempting permits for residential housing

Ho Chi Minh City “launches a full-scale push” in construction permitting reform: full digitalization and a move toward potential exemption of building permits for residential housing!

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has issued a strong directive to remove bottlenecks in the construction sector, requiring all guidelines to be completed and the digital transformation of residential building permit procedures by June 15.

This directive comes from Vice Chairman Bùi Xuân Cường, aiming to eliminate long-standing issues of inconsistency in legal application and administrative backlogs across local authorities.

Breakthrough: A shift in governance mindset
The core of this reform is replacing the current fragmented construction management regulations with a unified, more practical legal framework. The Department of Planning and Architecture is urgently drafting a proposal to be submitted before June 15, creating a solid legal foundation to address inconsistent interpretations across localities.

Notably, Ho Chi Minh City is also studying the possibility of simplifying procedures and moving toward eliminating building permits for eligible individual residential houses. This breakthrough is expected to significantly reduce administrative burdens and shorten processing time.

Full digitalization – no more paper submissions at local level
The city aims to fully transition construction management to an online system. Ward-level authorities will stop receiving paper documents and instead process applications through an integrated digital platform connected to the Department of Construction and the Ministry of Construction for remote monitoring.

A unified “instruction manual” will also be published to clearly define procedures, documentation requirements, and inspection steps, enhancing transparency and reducing administrative risks.

Resolving bottlenecks in May
Due to issues such as inconsistent zoning plans (1/2000 and 1/500) and outdated regulations, some localities have temporarily stopped accepting applications. The city has ordered immediate resolution.

The Department of Construction will directly guide 168 wards and communes during May to ensure consistent implementation and eliminate delays caused by differing interpretations.

Fee structures will also be updated in line with new regulations effective July 1, ensuring compliance with the restructured administrative system.

With a clear roadmap and strong determination, Ho Chi Minh City is moving toward a more transparent, faster, and modern construction management system.