The rapid urban growth of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), driven by economic development and massive immigration, has put huge pressure on the natural environment and basic infrastructure and services, including the housing and transportation sectors. These circumstances have impacted on the lives of local residents, especially on the poor and disadvantaged, exacerbating social inequality. This study provides a local context for analysing the needs for a social urban policy. Besides, the paper also analyses the impact of planning on mobility and housing and provides recommendations for more efficient planning.