On the afternoon of January 11, at a press conference to inform about socio -economic issues in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Ngo Hai Duong - Head of the Department of Road Traffic Infrastructure Exploitation (Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport) announced important contents about the implementation of temporary road and sidewalk usage fee collection.

According to the implementation plan, from January 1, 2024, the Resolution on temporary road and sidewalk usage fees issued by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council will officially take effect.

The City Department of Transport is assigned to collect fees for temporary use of the roadway, including median strips and traffic islands on roads managed by the department. Local People's Committees collect fees for temporary use of the roadway and sidewalks on roads managed by the locality.

The fee for parking is from 20,000 - 350,000 VND/m2/month; the fee for other activities is from 20,000 - 100,000 VND. The proposed fee depends on the average land price in 5 areas.

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Mr. Ngo Hai Duong - Head of Road Infrastructure Exploitation Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport (Photo: Thanh Nhan)

According to Mr. Ngo Hai Duong, the main goal of implementing this new resolution is to contribute to restoring order and urban beauty, building a civilized and modern city and enhancing the responsibility of organizations and individuals when temporarily using a part of the roadway and sidewalk. The toll collection also aims to ensure traffic order, effectively exploit the roadway and sidewalk, ensure publicity, transparency, and suitability with the characteristics of Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition to the above functions, sidewalks are also used for other purposes according to Decision 32 of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. However, the temporary use of the roadway and sidewalk must be approved by competent authorities through the use plan and collection and payment of usage fees according to regulations.

Currently, districts are reviewing the list of roads eligible for temporary toll collection for non-traffic purposes. At the same time, localities are seeking opinions from relevant units before issuing the list, publicly announcing it this January, and organizing licensing and approving toll collection plans.

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Sidewalks on many central streets of Ho Chi Minh City are being encroached upon by households as their 'private property' for parking and displaying goods.

According to the representative of the People's Committee of District 3, many sidewalks in the area have previously marked out self-managed motorbike parking areas to ensure sidewalk space for pedestrians, overcoming the messy and untidy situation. When there are clear legal regulations, people also understand and join hands with local authorities to use sidewalks in a more orderly manner.

Currently, the People's Committee of District 3 has compiled a list of 36 streets with sidewalks that meet the conditions for business services and trading; parking spots for two-wheeled vehicles with and without fees... and assigned 12 wards to organize meetings for people to give comments and feedback, then promulgate and publicly post.

This district has also issued and posted a set of administrative procedures for granting permits to temporarily use part of the roadway and sidewalk for people to apply (submit application for permit and pay fee at the district).

At the same time, the district is proposing that the city provide clearer instructions to localities on the fee collection process and budget payment accounts, and recommends establishing an information technology application to make fee collection more transparent, public, simple, and effective.

Meanwhile, the People's Committee of District 5 plans to synchronize the collection of fees for temporary use of roads and sidewalks on March 1. The People's Committees of wards will organize the collection of fees for temporary use of sidewalks on the roads managed by the district (in cases where the organization operates as a business location for services or goods trading, without having to issue a temporary use permit).

Ho Chi Minh City guides on how to rent sidewalks and streets for parking and business purposes . The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport and the People's Committees of districts are the competent authorities to consider granting licenses to people who need to temporarily use part of the sidewalk as a parking lot or for business purposes.