In Van Ban district, Lao Cai province, efforts are underway to replace substandard housing for poor households and ethnic minorities despite economic challenges. Phan Van Thong, a Tay resident of Van Tien village, has lived in a house built in 1979 that has become unsafe. Now, with 40 million VND (nearly 1,600 USD) in support from a district housing programme, he and his family are preparing to move into a new, sturdier home. In Khanh Yen town, Pham Thi Dinh, from Ban Coc village, is one of 27 households set to receive new homes by 2025. She’s thrilled about the upcoming change. In 2024, two new homes were built for elderly and mentally challenged individuals in need. Khanh Yen town also mobilised resources from local organisations and businesses to support this housing initiative. In nearby Bao Yen district, heavily impacted by Typhoon Yagi, residents are also rebuilding. Lao Cai aims to complete its housing programme by September 2025, helping over 8,200 households, including war veterans and low-income families, with over 337 billion VND in funding. By the end of 2024, 70% of the programme’s goals are expected to be completed./