The message was highlighted at an international workshop held in Da Nang on June 24 which brought together more than 100 representatives from government agencies, international organisations, research institutions and development partners.

Housing challenges require comprehensive solutions

As urban populations continue to grow and climate-related risks become more pronounced, ensuring access to safe and affordable housing has become an increasingly urgent priority in Vietnam, particularly for low-income households and vulnerable groups.

In recent years, Vietnam has introduced a range of policies to expand social housing, support low-income families and eliminate substandard housing nationwide. More than 334,000 homes have been newly built or renovated through government-supported programmes, helping improve living conditions and strengthen social welfare.

Speaking at the workshop, Nguyen Ngoc Binh, chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations – Da Nang chapter, emphasised that housing challenges require integrated and multi-sectoral solutions.

“No single institution can solve the housing issue alone,” he said, stressing the importance of cooperation among governments, businesses, international organizations and local communities in developing sustainable and inclusive housing models.

Building housing ecosystems, not just houses

From an international perspective, Liz Satow, Area Vice President for Asia and the Pacific at Habitat for Humanity International, noted that housing security goes beyond constructing new homes.

She said sustainable housing development requires supportive systems that ensure access to land rights, financing and appropriate building materials. Without these foundations, housing gains may be difficult to sustain over the long term.

According to Satow, future efforts should focus on strengthening housing ecosystems that enable families, especially vulnerable groups, to access stable housing and improve resilience to economic shocks and natural disasters.

Da Nang expands affordable housing initiatives

Sharing local experiences, Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, vice chairwoman of the Da Nang administration, described housing as both a basic human need and a key indicator of urban governance and inclusive development.

Da Nang has implemented various social housing programmes for low-income households, disadvantaged groups and families eligible for social support. However, rapid urbanisation and rising housing demand continue to create challenges for workers, migrants and other vulnerable populations.

To address these issues, the city plans to expand rental housing models, particularly apartment projects for industrial park and high-tech zone workers. Authorities are also seeking to diversify financing sources, mobilise international resources and promote disaster-resilient housing designed to withstand increasingly severe weather conditions.

Supporting sustainable and inclusive cities

Participants agreed that affordable and resilient housing should be viewed as a central pillar of sustainable urban development.

As Vietnam accelerates social housing development and nationwide efforts to replace temporary and dilapidated homes, lessons and recommendations shared at the workshop are expected to contribute to more effective policies and broader adoption of inclusive, climate-resilient housing models.

Such approaches, experts said, will be essential to improving housing access for low-income and vulnerable communities while supporting Vietnam’s broader goals of sustainable development, social inclusion and climate adaptation.