Life goes on in dilapidated apartments on verge of collapse

In early March, the municipal Department of Construction sent a document to the HCMC People’s Committee requesting that 23 households living in the apartment complex at 440 Tran Hung Dao Street in District 5 be relocated immediately. It said that the building has been deemed unsafe and emphasized the critical importance of relocation and demolition.
The structure was built during the French colonial period (1884-1945).

The entrance to the apartment complex is crowded with food and beverage vendors. The significant deterioration of walls and narrow staircase leading to the apartments is obvious.
According to the construction department, while the exterior of the apartment building appears to be in good condition, the interior and overall condition is hazardous, with a high risk of collapse.

Outside the building, rudimentary electricity connections are haphazardly arranged. The paint and mortar are peeling away, exposing the iron and steel underneath.

Some of the apartment’s reinforcing balcony columns are cracked, iron railings rusted, and walls riddled with cracks, too.

The electricity supply system is old and looks risky to operate.

The majority of residents in this complex are Chinese who have lived in the area for a long time.
Ha Thi Bay, who lives in the last apartment on the second floor, has created her own separate door on the balcony to expand her living space.

Her family of six has lived in this 16-square-meter room for more than 40 years.
“This structure was originally built as a hotel, but it has since been renovated and converted into apartments. Every house here, including mine, is so small. When my children return home at night, it’s extremely crowded,” the 74-year-old said.

She considers herself fortunate to live at the end of the row, where she can use the balcony corner to dry clothes and set up a kitchen.
Her kitchen has an area of about one square meter and can only accommodate one person at a time.

Nguyen Thi Cuc’s tiny living space is made even more cramped and cluttered by two sewing machines, a fridge, a television set and other appliances and furniture. The 60-year-old woman lives here with her child.

Cuc’s restroom is also cramped and cluttered. According to the owner, toilets were not installed in the homes here until about 40 years ago, when many new families renovated their apartments and started to add restrooms and kitchens.

Tran Nghi Nhan, who lives nearby, said she built a loft to get more usable space.
“We used to have a total of eight people living here. There are only three people left after our children and grandchildren moved out,” the 64-year-old woman said.

Following the urgent petition for relocation and dismantling, the District 5 People’s Committee asked the compensation committee to coordinating with District 6 People’s Committee to contact, mobilize and convince people to relocate to apartments in the An Phu apartment. The An Phu apartment complex is located in District 6.
However, the remaining families have not agreed to move to their temporary accommodation for resettlement in District 6. They want officials to give them money so they can pick their own rented accommodation elsewhere until they reach compensation agreements.
HCMC currently has 474 old and downgraded apartment buildings built before 1975 that have to be rebuilt or undergo massive renovation.