Hanoi's Old Collective Housing to Be Rebuilt, Improving Residents' Lives

The 23 Hàng Tre collective housing in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, has severely deteriorated after decades of use. According to the city's plan, the housing complex will be demolished and rebuilt into a 21-story building. This redevelopment is expected to improve living conditions for residents and enhance the urban landscape of the capital's central area. This project aims to resolve the "bottleneck" in renovating old collective housing in Hanoi. For many years, the renovation of these old buildings has faced numerous challenges, including consensus-building among residents and compensation issues. Particularly, the compensation for illegally extended spaces and "cat cages" (balcony extensions) is a significant concern for residents. In recent years, the renovation of old collective housing in Hanoi has become more active, with some cases reportedly being sold at record high prices. However, the importance of fire prevention and rescue training associated with renovations has also been highlighted, making resident safety an urgent issue. As urbanization progresses in Vietnam, the renovation and redevelopment of old collective housing, which has rapidly increased in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, has become a crucial policy issue. This is because it not only improves deteriorated living environments but also leads to more efficient land use and advanced urban functions, prompting the government to actively promote it. On the other hand, considerations for social aspects such as resident relocation, compensation, and community maintenance associated with redevelopment are also required. The redevelopment of the 23 Hàng Tre collective housing can be seen as a case symbolizing both the challenges and opportunities in Vietnam's urban development.