The Haunting Remnants of a $300 Million Abandoned Villa in Hanoi

The hundreds of abandoned villas in the Duong Noi urban area of Ha Dong district, Hanoi, are a stark reminder of the consequences of neglect. Left to deteriorate for years, the once-grand structures now stand in various states of disrepair, their crumbling facades and dilapidated interiors bearing witness to the wastefulness of it all.

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This project, which broke ground in 2008, had an initial investment of VND 7,642 billion and comprised 1,116 villas centrally located in the new Duong Noi urban area. Despite most of the villas being completed with full infrastructure, landscaping, roads, and lighting, the neighborhood remains devoid of residents.

The developer completed the exterior construction and handed over the villas to customers at the end of 2018. However, as of now, hundreds of villas remain abandoned.

According to our understanding, the connected villas here are advertised for sale at prices starting from VND 10 billion.

The villas are always “locked up tight.” Many lack security doors.

Due to prolonged abandonment, the scenery of these million-dollar villas has become desolate, with weeds growing wildly within the premises.

The entrances of many villas are overgrown with grass, littered with trash, and covered in moss.

The facilities have deteriorated over time and appear old and desolate despite never being used.

Some villa basements turn into large pools of water after heavy rains, with trash being washed in, causing environmental pollution and a putrid stench.

Many villas display “For Rent” signs but have remained vacant for years.

The water pipes and taps have been installed, awaiting their owners’ arrival. However, due to prolonged exposure to the elements, they have all deteriorated and fallen into disrepair.

Some villas, neither inhabited nor rented out, are temporarily fenced off with corrugated iron sheets, surrounded by overgrown weeds.

The entrance to the villa compound is separated by a thin rope to prevent vehicles from parking.

The path behind the compound has been transformed into a dumping ground and is being used for personal purposes.

A makeshift playground has been set up but is rarely used.

The surroundings are overgrown with weeds.

Many villas are abandoned, while there is a severe shortage of affordable housing for low-income earners. According to experts, this situation is not unique to Hanoi but is prevalent in many other provinces across the country, where villas and adjacent properties remain vacant even though they have owners. This paradox and severe waste lead to numerous socio-economic and security consequences. Addressing this issue is not an overnight task and poses a significant challenge for the authorities.