The Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) police will be conducting a month-long inspection of all facilities that accommodate foreigners in the city to ensure that they are complying with regulations requiring them to report foreign residents.
The immigration management division of the HCMC police has announced that starting from August 1, they will initiate a campaign specifically targeting landlords and facility managers who fail to report the presence of foreigners in their accommodations.
Among all localities in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) currently has the highest number of foreigners, with approximately 100,000 individuals residing there. The city boasts around 80,000 different types of accommodations, including hotels, apartments, houses, and other residential properties.
The police have expressed concern about the frequent failure to report foreigners staying in the city, as it creates an environment conducive to criminal activities. Since the start of 2022, HCMC police have uncovered over 5,300 cases of such violations, primarily occurring in apartments and secluded neighborhoods.
According to a police representative, an emerging trend involves illegal immigration, enabling criminals to engage in high-tech fraud, organize gambling activities, and offer internet-based high-interest loans. These individuals typically rent isolated houses and apartments with lax management to carry out their illicit acts.
Since 2007, HCMC police have provided an online reporting service for foreigners’ stays through the immigration management division’s website, https://hochiminh.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. While 96% of all accommodation facilities have utilized this service, the reporting rate remains low for apartments and secluded houses.