Residents living near the Xuyen Tam Canal in Ho Chi Minh City are grappling with the harsh realities of life in ultra-narrow homes after a significant portion of their properties was acquired for a redevelopment project. One resident, Ly Hoang, now occupies less than 4 square meters of space, barely enough to lie down, after the local government reclaimed over three-quarters of his home for the canal improvement project.

At 47 years old, Hoang's living conditions have drastically changed. Previously, his home was over 18 square meters and housed seven family members for nearly two decades. Following the land acquisition, his family received compensation of approximately 900 million VND, but without ownership documents, they were forced to leave most of their home behind. Now, he shares the cramped space with two relatives, struggling to manage daily activities in such a limited area.

Hoang's current living arrangement includes a small area for cooking and a tiny bathroom, with little room for personal belongings. He works as a window cleaner in An Phu, often eating and spending time at work to avoid the discomfort of his home. On his days off, he uses a mini gas stove to prepare simple meals, which requires him to clean up after cooking to make space for sleeping.

Nearby, another resident, Nguyen Hai Duong, is renovating his remaining 8-square-meter home for his family of four. Previously, his house was about 30 square meters with three bedrooms. After the land acquisition, he received around 980 million VND in compensation, which he feels is insufficient to buy a new home. Duong plans to stay put, hoping that the completed project will enhance the value of his property, making it easier for him to support his family.

The Xuyen Tam Canal improvement project, spanning 6.7 kilometers, aims to combat flooding, improve the environment, and enhance urban aesthetics, with a total investment of over 17 trillion VND. The project has been stalled for over 20 years and is set to resume construction at the end of 2025.

Local authorities have faced challenges in managing the land acquisition process, leading to the emergence of many small homes. Despite efforts to encourage residents to surrender their remaining land for potential relocation, many families prefer to retain their properties, resulting in a landscape of narrow houses that are difficult to modify. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction has stated that while small plots of land can still be developed, they face restrictions on height and usable space, making it hard to meet the residents' needs.