Vietnam’s National Highway 13 Raised, Roadside Businesses Pay for Renovations
After sections of National Highway 13 in Ho Chi Minh City were raised, entrances to roadside homes and shops fell below the new road level. A November 12 visit found some residents paying to raise floors and adjust roofs. The project investor says it is discussing technical solutions and support with affected households and local authorities.
After sections of National Highway 13 in Ho Chi Minh City were raised, homes and shops along the road began renovating their floors, entrances and roofs. On the morning of November 12, a VTC News reporter visiting the area between the Lái Thiêu toll station and Vĩnh Bình Bridge saw construction materials piled outside some shops and owners hiring workers to raise their floors. The difference between the road and existing indoor floor levels has also forced some residents to use steps or metal staircases temporarily to get in and out.
On the morning of November 12, materials for renovating floors and entrances were piled outside shops along National Highway 13.（VietVance）
Hoàng Thi, who runs a shop selling ornamental bird feed on National Highway 13, said she has spent more than VND 10 million on materials and labor to raise the floor and roof of her rented premises, which cover about 10 square meters. She said she has paid most of the cost herself, with a small contribution from the landlord, and has yet to see any support from the project investor. Some businesses have had to keep operating during construction.
Roadside shopkeeper Hoàng Thi said renovations to her shop’s floor and roof have cost more than VND 10 million.（VietVance）
Raising floors may also reduce indoor space. Some residents along the road have removed old roofs and rebuilt steel frames; one house needs its roof raised by about 2 meters to preserve its interior height. Shops still undergoing renovation have temporarily cleared some business fixtures to make room for the work.
A new steel frame is being installed at a roadside building after its old roof was removed.（VietVance）
The National Highway 13 upgrade and expansion project covers about 13 kilometers and is planned to widen the road from six to eight lanes. The project is financed by Công ty CP Phát triển Hạ tầng kỹ thuật Becamex IJC, began in 2022 and has a total investment of nearly VND 1.4 trillion under a BOT arrangement. Tập đoàn Becamex said the road is being raised to address localized flooding and subsidence and improve traffic safety. The group said it is discussing technical measures and support arrangements with affected households and local authorities.
Source: VietVance
