Binh Hung Hoa Cemetery, located in Binh Tan District, covers over 40 hectares and was established before 1975, housing approximately 54,000 graves. This cemetery is one of the key sites in the city slated for relocation to make way for infrastructure development, including schools and parks, by 2025.

On the right side of Tan Ky Tan Quy Street, heading from Tan Phu District to Binh Tan District, the area has already been cleared, with green grass growing abundantly. Binh Tan District plans to build a primary school with 30 classrooms on this plot of land.

Inside the cemetery, the crematorium remains operational next to the land where the primary school is planned. Ho Chi Minh City’s Vice Chairman, Bui Xuan Cuong, has directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to collaborate with Binh Tan District to expedite the relocation process.

On the other side, the second phase of the project, involving the relocation of 4,239 graves, has largely been completed. The third phase is expected to be finished by 2025.

The area currently undergoing relocation will soon become the site of a secondary school with 41 classrooms. During the clearance process, many unclaimed graves have been relocated by district authorities.

Within the relocation project area, 104 households have been identified as being affected by the land clearance.

Mrs. Truong Thi Hung, a 70-year-old resident who has lived in the area for many years, has been helping maintain the graves and assisting visitors during holidays. While she feels sad about having to change her job, she is also hopeful that the project will soon be completed, transforming the area.

Despite the lack of a specific relocation timeline, many households remain anxious about the impending move. The cemetery has also served as a grazing ground for cattle and a spot where many people come to fish or birdwatch for relaxation on weekends.

The relocation of Binh Hung Hoa Cemetery aims to improve the living environment for over 300,000 residents in the surrounding area. It also contributes to the urban renovation and improvement of the city's appearance, addressing complex issues related to security and public order. The project is being expedited by Binh Tan District to ensure its completion by April 30, 2025.

Since 2010, Ho Chi Minh City authorities have been planning the relocation of this cemetery to enhance urban development, ensure environmental sanitation, and invest in welfare infrastructure. The project is divided into three phases, with relocations beginning in 2014. However, more than 20,000 graves, mainly in the third phase, have yet to be relocated. The city has previously approved a compensation budget of approximately VND 1,300 billion for the first and second phases of the project.

Starting in 2014, authorities began the process of compensating, relocating, and clearing over 40 hectares of land. The initial plan allocated 24 hectares for the development of a complex with commercial and high-rise buildings, while 16 hectares were designated for parks and public spaces.

At the 17th session of the 10th Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council (July 2024), the Chairman of the Binh Tan District People’s Committee stated that after the cemetery is relocated, 40 hectares of land will be available. The previous plan did not include schools. However, Binh Tan authorities have proposed adjusting the plan to allocate land for educational facilities.

Nguyen Hue