Hanoi has called on police to investigate and address individuals and organizations illegally offering to submit applications for social housing purchases and rentals - practices deemed violations of housing policy.
Vietnam’s social housing market is facing widespread abuse: from under-the-table reservations and inflated “file handling” fees to online application scams and units being resold at inflated prices by hundreds of millions of dong.
These practices undermine the fundamental aim of the program - to support low-income families. In response, the Prime Minister and Ministry of Construction have ordered tighter inspections and harsher penalties for all forms of exploitation.
VietNamNet presents this series to reflect multiple perspectives and propose urgent solutions to ensure social housing operates fairly and as intended.
No intermediaries or unauthorized agents in application process
At the third session of the Central Steering Committee on Housing Policy and Real Estate Market on November 11, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the need for greater transparency and stronger measures to prevent speculation, price gouging, hoarding, and abuse in social housing sales, rentals, and lease-purchase programs.
Recently, Hanoi’s social housing market has shown signs of revival as several new projects opened for applications. Prices range between 18.4 to 29.4 million VND per square meter (approximately 750 to 1,200 USD/m²).
Speaking to VietNamNet, Luyen Van Phuong, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Construction, said the agency has implemented comprehensive measures to promote transparency and eliminate policy abuse since the beginning of the year. The department issued official guidance on application procedures for social housing purchases and leases and outlined clear legal instructions for residents.
Automated queue ticketing systems have replaced manual signups in social housing application offices in Hanoi. Photo: Hong Khanh
Authorities stress that individuals or households interested in social housing must complete and submit the official application forms provided in Circular 05/2024 by the Ministry of Construction.
Importantly, applications must be submitted directly to the investor - not through brokers or intermediary real estate agencies. “We have published the full list of submission locations on the Hanoi Department of Construction’s official website and those of the respective project investors. Residents must avoid submitting documents through any unauthorized individual or organization,” said Mr. Phuong.
The department has also requested that Hanoi police instruct local police departments to investigate and handle cases where unauthorized brokers are receiving and filing social housing applications illegally.
Year-end application overload anticipated - citizens urged to act carefully
To help residents access accurate information and avoid being scammed, the department has published detailed listings for each project, including locations, selling prices, rental rates, and official application periods and submission sites.
Mr. Phuong noted that once a project is approved to begin accepting applications, the department verifies the project details and promptly publishes them online so residents can prepare their documents in time.
Hundreds wait in line to submit social housing applications in Hanoi. Photo: Hong Khanh
In these announcements, authorities continue to warn the public not to work with intermediaries or submit deposits or payments to any entity claiming to act on behalf of investors. Any individual or group exploiting the social housing program for financial gain is in direct violation of government regulations.
“The department strictly prohibits all activities that misuse the social housing program or exploit people’s needs for illegal profit. We have also advised local-level governments to step up monitoring and enforcement against such behavior,” Mr. Phuong stated.
According to the deputy director, several social housing projects in Hanoi are expected to open for applications by the end of 2025. Due to high demand, an application surge is likely. Residents are encouraged to regularly check the department’s website to avoid missing key submission windows.
“Applicants should only communicate directly with the designated investors and submit their documents to official addresses listed publicly. This will protect them from exploitation and help ensure fairness in the application process,” Mr. Phuong advised.
Vietnamnet.vn
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