The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam will launch a direct inspection of 20 stalled or problematic projects in Ho Chi Minh City, including the long-abandoned HH1 mixed-use building on a prime plot in former Vung Tau City, now part of HCMC. The project, located at the intersection of Nguyen Thai Hoc and Nguyen Tri Phuong Streets in Tam Thang Ward (formerly Ward 7, Vung Tau), has remained inactive since 2016.

This move is part of a broader plan to examine 145 public projects across the country plagued by prolonged delays, inefficiencies, or risks of loss and waste.

The HH1 project was approved for investment in 2013 by the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial People's Committee. It was developed by the Vietnam - Russia Vietsovpetro joint venture with the aim of providing high-end official housing for Russian employees. The project spans over 1.8 hectares and was designed to include two 33-story towers with 646 residential units accommodating around 2,200 people.

Construction began in the mid-2010s, but progress stopped in August 2016 due to financial difficulties faced by the investor. To date, the structure has reached the 32nd floor with completed reinforced concrete pillars and floors, and some of the walls have been plastered. However, no internal technical systems have been installed.

According to on-site observations, black moss has spread over large patches of the concrete structure due to years of inactivity. The building remains the tallest structure in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province to date.

In October 2019, the investor submitted a request to voluntarily return the land and incomplete structure, also proposing a reimbursement of their estimated investment totaling approximately USD 43 million.

In response, the provincial government revoked the land and assigned relevant departments to assess the residual value of the partially built project. The province also consulted the Ministry of Finance on how to calculate this reimbursement. However, the Ministry responded that there was no legal basis for such a refund.

In 2022, the provincial authorities encouraged the investor to resume construction, offering coordination and support to overcome obstacles. In return, Vietsovpetro requested to lease the land again in order to continue the project.

Despite these efforts, the HH1 project remains inactive, with legal and financial uncertainties around land reclamation and asset valuation still unresolved.

Besides HH1, the Government Inspectorate’s inspection list in Ba Ria - Vung Tau (prior to its administrative merger with HCMC) includes two additional projects: the 991B Road project (from National Highway 51 to the downstream area of Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port), led by the local transportation and agriculture project management board, and the Chi Linh Center in former Vung Tau City’s Ward 10, developed by DIC Corporation.

Quang Hung