Vietnamese Seniors Opt for Apartments Over Houses for Safety and Family Bonds

Many older Vietnamese who once resisted leaving their private houses are now choosing to live in apartments for greater safety, convenience, and tightening family bonds. Tran Thi Van Anh, 71, who had lived in her Hanoi house since 1990, never imagined moving until her son, Nam Trung, 44, expressed concerns about her living alone. Despite initial opposition to communal spaces and elevator queues, Van Anh quickly adapted to their new 180-square-meter dual-key apartment on Lang Ha Street. The layout offers two independent living spaces, allowing her to maintain privacy while enjoying closer interaction with her grandchildren and benefiting from 24-hour security and ease of movement. Similarly, Tran Van Khang, 78, and his wife Le Thi Hoa, 75, moved from their large garden home in Gia Lam District to an 80-square-meter apartment in Xuan Dinh Ward. The decision was partly driven by their daughter's need for them to live nearby to help care for her children. Now, Khang enjoys cooking, playing with grandchildren, and socializing with fellow retirees, free from the worries of stair falls. These stories reflect a broader global shift towards age-friendly housing that fosters multi-generational co-living amid Vietnam's rapid aging. Property platform Batdongsan.com.vn reports that apartments were the preferred choice for 59% of homebuyers in Hanoi and 54% in HCMC in the first half of 2026. Matthew Powell of Savills Hanoi attributes this trend to three structural changes: Vietnam's aging population before reaching high-income status, the increasing difficulty of traditional home-based eldercare due to urbanization and dual-pressure work/childcare, and the global maturity of senior housing as an asset class integrating real estate with healthcare and services. Architect Dr. Ngo Viet Nam Son emphasizes the need for apartment designs to evolve beyond those for young families into inclusive, age-friendly environments, with safety features like non-slip flooring and handrails becoming standard. Tran Thuy Nga, deputy general director of Dien Hong Nursing Home, highlights that while many seniors romanticize detached houses, apartments can prevent sedentary lifestyles and isolation. She stresses the importance of an environment that encourages social interaction and a sense of belonging, noting that flat housing with elevators has been shown to foster independence and improve mental health in older adults. Information source: VnExpress International