HCMC to collect sidewalk rentals from September

Under a decision signed Wednesday, these sidewalks will only be on streets at least 1.5 m wide to ensure there is adequate space for pedestrians and vehicles.

It does not specify rents but the Department of Transport had suggested that it should be VND50,000-350,000 (US$2.11-14.80) per square meter for parking and VND20,000-100,000 for other activities.

The rents collected will go toward maintaining streets and sidewalks.

The department will spell out details about locations, rents and others.

HCMC has more than 4,800 streets that are more than five meters wide, but almost 2,600 of them have no space for pedestrians since their sidewalks are illegally occupied.