The Ministry of Construction has started the first step to deal with outdated structures across the country by inspecting and classifying old apartment buildings.
Old apartment building in Hanoi
According to the Ministry of Transport, Hanoi alone has over 1,500 old apartment buildings with height from two to five floors. Most of the buildings were built between the 1960s-1980s, with some built before 1954. Because of the lack of maintenance, the buildings have deteriorated and pose a danger to residents.
There are also hundreds of old buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. Thousands of households live in fear of building collapses. They endure leaking roofs, and water seepage which is causing walls and stairwells to fail. Many of the apartments, some dating back to the early 1960s, are too small and families have to cook in the hallways, creating potential fire hazards, while wet clothes hang on outside lines dangerously close to electricity cables.
HCM City authorities plan to demolish 70 apartment buildings and rebuild 61. But progress is slow and has fallen behind the pressure of urban development and failed to meet the needs of existing residents.
In order to find a solution to the problem, the Ministry of Transport has created a structural safety assessment process and will start reviewing and inspecting old buildings in Hanoi as soon as possible. The ministry is training all agencies including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang and Can Tho on the process. Reputable experts and accrediting organisations will also be invited.