On October 21, the People's Committee of Quy Nhon area in Gia Lai reported a plan to address landslides at Mot Mountain. The authorities proposed relocating all residents within the project area, cutting down and leveling the mountain to match the elevation of the adjacent residential area, and then redeveloping the site.
A broader landslide-control plan
Mot Mountain is located in residential groups 19 and 20. The site covers about 6.88 hectares and is home to 228 households. Of these, 183 households live on the mountain or its slopes, while 45 live at the foot. The terrain is steep, the geology is complex, and heavily weathered soil and rock pose a landslide risk.
Landslides at Mot Mountain have developed over many years. In 2022, authorities in the former Quy Nhon city paid compensation, provided assistance and relocated nine households from an area at very high risk of landslides. Rock and soil continued to slide from the foundations of the former homes afterward.
In 2025, after storm No. 13 and prolonged rains from November 17 to 20, the slope above the mountain failed along a stretch of about 200 meters. Soil and rock fell to the foot of the mountain, completely destroying five houses and damaging several others. Local authorities compensated, assisted and resettled households whose homes collapsed, while repairing damaged houses.
The People's Committee of the Quy Nhon area said separate retaining walls and anti-landslide structures would require careful assessment because the affected area is broad, the terrain is complex and the technical requirements are high. Stabilizing the ground and slopes, building drainage systems and protecting existing housing would require resources beyond the area's capacity.
The area therefore proposed relocating all households within the study zone and cutting down and leveling Mot Mountain to an elevation compatible with the neighboring residential area.
The excavation could produce 1 million cubic meters of soil and rock
Preliminary calculations put Mot Mountain's peak at about 44 meters. Excavation could produce about 1 million cubic meters of soil and rock. The material is expected to be used as fill for construction projects in the province.
After the mountain is cut down and the site is prepared, the area is planned as a new residential neighborhood with roads, technical infrastructure, green space, public facilities and housing.
Of the approximately 6.88-hectare study area, about 3.38 hectares is planned for housing, 0.33 hectares for green space and 0.09 hectares for public facilities. The rest is reserved for roads and technical infrastructure.
The project's preliminary total investment is about VND 500 billion. About VND 250 billion would cover compensation and site clearance, with another VND 250 billion for construction. Expected revenue from an auction of land-use rights is about VND 850 billion.
Under the local authorities' calculations, the project could generate a difference of about VND 350 billion if revenue and expenses are close to the estimates.
The People's Committee of the Quy Nhon area said leveling Mot Mountain would address the landslide risk and protect residents, while making better use of land and creating resources for urban development.
This remains only a proposal from local authorities. The Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee must review it and issue directions before the next steps can begin.
Sources: Thanh Niên
