Housing prices in HCM City and Ha Noi rose slightly in the third quarter over the second quarter this year. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuan Anh

Housing prices in Ha Noi and HCM City increased slightly in the third quarter, according to an annual report from the Ministry of Construction released at a press conference on Monday.

Compared to the second quarter, apartment prices in Ha Noi rose by 0.21 per cent, while the price of individual houses increased by 1.25 per cent.

In HCM City, the price of apartments increased by 0.7 per cent in the country, while the price of individual houses rose by 2.7 per cent, compared to the second quarter of this year.

According to the Ministry of Construction, in the first nine months of the year, 98,700 houses were built for the poor in 56 provinces, with a total investment of VND2.4 trillion (US$103 million).

The Ministry also offered support and repaired housing for 17,219 households in areas prone to typhoons and floods, at a total cost of VND645 billion (US$27.8 million).

The ministry has completed 206 social housing projects with a total of 85,450 accommodations. Another 221 social housing projects with 180,000 accommodations are under construction.

The ministry has also invested in 100 social housing projects for workers in industrial zones.

The ministry noted that some localities continue to have real estate trade violations. It directed all city and provincial People's Committees to conduct strict inspections and handle any violation of the Land Law and Real Estate Law.

In addition, local authorities must develop solutions to stabilise the property market and promptly inform the public and other agencies about housing planning and infrastructure development projects, it said. — VNS