Residents face safety risks in deteriorating apartment buildings in Vietnam

Aging apartment complexes in Vietnam are facing severe structural degradation, leaving residents in precarious living conditions. In Ninh Binh, a five-story complex built in 1978 for textile factory workers has seen significant deterioration. Residents report peeling walls, cracked ceilings, and structural damage that causes fear during storms, forcing many to evacuate temporarily or abandon their homes entirely.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Vinh Hoi apartment complex, built before 1975, has been classified as a Class D danger level requiring emergency relocation since 2017. Despite the risk of collapse, 141 households remain in the building due to concerns regarding livelihoods and resettlement support. The structure exhibits deep cracks in ceilings and walls, broken concrete columns with exposed rusted steel, and falling debris. While the city has prepared temporary housing for those willing to move, many residents cite economic difficulties as the primary reason for staying in the unsafe environment.