Hundreds of households in some dilapidated apartment blocks in Hanoi and the central city of Danang have been living in constant fear of a building collapse.
Wall slightly parted from the building
The 40-year-old apartment building E6 in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi already has one of its walls separated slightly.
Nguyen Van Tung, a resident said, "I’ve always tried to get inside my apartment as fast as possible because it feels like the ceiling can fall at anytime." He said that previously, when the residents in the building heard that a storm would pass through Red River Delta, they even tied a long rope in case they had to escape via the windows.
Because of serious subsidence, the water and electricity system are also unstable. Even though the residents tried to fix the building themselves twice, their efforts have all gone to waste.
Tung said they have sent many letters to the authorities since 2005 but received little help. "All of the inspection teams remarked that this building is in dangerous state but they didn't provide solutions." Tung said.
Hanoi currently has 1,155 outdated apartment buildings. However, the renovation work has been slow.
The apartment building 18 in Hai Chau District, Danang City is also in the same situation. Each apartment here measures just 10-15 square metres. Some parts of the floor have already collapsed and left big holes.
"When it rains, water will seep through the walls and our apartment floods." a local said.
Luong and his wife have to do some of their daily activities out in the hallway
Pham Hien Luong, another resident said he and his wife have to sleep out in the hallway so their two children can have some space. "Well, it's close to the city but living like this is hell. You'll probably have to wear helmet inside because the ceiling could fall down at any moment." he said.
Many old apartment buildings in the city such as buildings on Hung Vuong and Yen Bai streets are in urgent need of renovation or demolition.
