VietNamNet Bridge – Low-income earners will be able to apply for a flat in Kien Hung Ward in Ha Dong District in the next few weeks under a project launched by Vinaconex Xuan Mai Concrete and Construction Joint-stock Company.

It is the second low-income housing project launched by Vinaconex Xuan Mai. The first residential housing block was built on Ngo Thi Nham Street in Quang Trung Ward.

Construction work on the latest project in Kien Hung residential quarter began last August.

"The project will supply the greatest number of houses for low-income earners of any project so far launched in the country," Nguyen Van Da, the company's deputy director, said.

The Kien Hung residential quarter, which has a 25,065 square metres footprint, includes five 19-storey buildings containing 1,512 flats with an average area of 70 square metres.

The project cost VND950 billion (US$47.5 million).

It was intended that applications for flats could be made between February 10 to March 10. However, as of yesterday, the municipal Department of Construction had not approved the process, Da said.

"When the municipal authority makes an official decision, we will announce the schedule for receiving applications – and which districts will be able to apply for flats in the Kien Hung Building," he said.

The price per square metre is expected to be VND8 million ($400).

The company received 1,576 applications for the 328 flats available in the Ngo Thi Nham residential quarter.

"The sale of flats was publicly conducted under the supervision of the Department of Construction and local authorities. Thus, the flats went to those most in need," Da said.

Applicants for flats in the Ngo Thi Nham residential quarter were awarded points if they met certain criteria. For example, those who did not own a flat were awarded 50 points, while those who had a flat with an average area of no more than five square metres per person were given 30 points. Heroic Mothers, invalids, sick soldiers and the families of those who died in the war received 10 points. Those who had received a State honour were awarded six points.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News