Article 4 of the Vietnamese Law on Children, issued in 2016, emphasizes that “Protecting children means taking appropriate measures to ensure that children live safely and healthily.” However, in recent times, there have been unfortunate incidents and concerns raised about the safety of children in apartment buildings, with some recreational spaces also being encroached upon.
Commenting on this issue, Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Real Estate Association, stated that firstly, in terms of safety, there is a lack of detailed regulations and guidelines to specifically address children as a vulnerable group. Secondly, there is a lack of separate considerations for children in the inspection and approval processes of design plans and existing constructions.
He particularly highlighted the consciousness of investors and project developers, noting that many tend to prioritize profits and personal gains over creating quality living environments for all, including children.
“Some investors even go as far as cutting corners and encroaching on areas meant for community amenities to serve their personal interests,” Dr. Dinh emphasized.
The expert suggested that investors and developers must be equipped with knowledge related to child safety and well-being. Only then can they design and develop projects that ensure the safety and happiness of children living in apartment buildings.
Dr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Real Estate Association, and Chairman of the Vietnam Real Estate Brokers Association.
Dr. Dinh provided examples from Thailand and Malaysia, where social housing projects with 8,000 apartments still maintain well-integrated infrastructure and amenities, including recreational and sports facilities. These projects demonstrate a clear consideration for vulnerable groups, such as the disabled and children, from the initial design stages.
“In contrast, we [Vietnam] still have shortcomings in this regard. Even in apartment designs, there is little consideration for children. Therefore, we need to identify criteria within buildings and residential areas to ensure children’s safety and accessibility to transportation systems, elevators, and fire safety measures in case of emergencies,” Dr. Dinh assessed.
He also commended reputable developers, such as Vinhomes and Ecopark in Hanoi, for their quality infrastructure, diverse amenities, and compliance with legal regulations. These projects offer essential services for residents, especially children, including schools and playgrounds.
“It is evident that when developers have a conscious mindset and truly care about this vulnerable group, their projects will meet stringent standards, and residents can confidently choose to live there,” Dr. Dinh added.
Therefore, Dr. Dinh proposed that when evaluating and awarding projects, there should be an additional criterion to assess the consciousness of investors. This would help ensure the creation of quality and safe projects, particularly for children.
