A landslide on the Tien River in the southern city of Can Tho. The city will move more than 2,500 households to safer places before 2020.

In 2015, Can Tho aimed to relocate 557 households on the banks of the Hau, Can Tho, Tra Noc, and Phong Dien Rivers, and the Khai Luong Ditch and Bo Ot Canal, he said at the department's meeting on Wednesday. About 390 households would be resettled each year between 2016 to 2020.

Each household would receive VND5 million (US$238) to help them relocate, with the additional option of a VND30 million (over $1,428) loan if needed, Quynh said.

The Can Tho Department of Construction said the city is carrying out 36 housing projects, which will serve about 6,000 relocated families.

It is also spending VND3.5 trillion ($166.6 million) to build anti-erosion embankments, with the largest to be constructed on the bank of the Can Tho River.

Quynh said Can Tho was among the Mekong Delta localities suffering most from river bank erosion. Hundreds of sites along local river banks were currently vulnerable to erosion, posing risks to people and their property, he said.

Dozens of incidents caused by erosion have occurred in the area since 2012. Recently, erosion caused an accident at Long Hoa Market near the Cam Canal, which killed two people and injured five.

To minimise erosion and the damage it causes, local authorities have recommended residents not build houses near riverbanks. They should also grow grass and plant bamboo posts to reinforce the soil near waterways.