The Pham The Hien Apartment Building, located in the former District 8 (now known as Chanh Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), was constructed in 1972. It consists of three blocks, A, B, and C, each with four stories, and currently houses approximately 450 residents.
After more than half a century of use, many sections of Blocks B and C have deteriorated significantly and are in dire need of repair.
Numerous areas display concrete spalling, exposing the steel framework, which has also rusted over time.
A section of the first-floor corridor in Block B has collapsed, prompting residents to set up a temporary bamboo fence to prevent accidents. Unfortunately, this issue has persisted for several months without any permanent solution.
In 2017, authorities assessed Blocks A and B of the Pham The Hien Apartment Building as Grade B (unable to meet normal usage requirements), while Block C was rated as Grade C (showing signs of danger).
Cracks in the walls, peeling ceilings, and falling concrete fragments pose a serious threat to the safety of the residents of Pham The Hien Apartment Building.
“I’ve lived here for over 40 years, and now I’m afraid every time I step out into the hallway,” shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, a 65-year-old resident of Block B. “Any loud noise makes me worry that a chunk of concrete might fall.”
The corridor in Block C of the Pham The Hien Apartment Building has been converted into a storage area for household items and other necessities.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, the beams, floors, and columns of the Pham The Hien Apartment Building have suffered severe concrete spalling, exposing corroded steel bars. Many concrete sections are cracked and at risk of falling, endangering the safety of the residents. Additionally, the balconies are in a state of disrepair and have separated from the main structure, posing a significant hazard.
Given the dire situation, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has instructed the Chanh Hung Ward to develop a plan for relocating the residents of the Pham The Hien Apartment Building. This relocation will be carried out in accordance with the urban embellishment project for residential areas along and around canals in the former District 8, as approved by the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.
Furthermore, the People’s Committee has directed Chanh Hung Ward to implement immediate temporary measures to ensure the safety of the residents while they await relocation.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, there are 474 apartment buildings with 573 blocks constructed before 1975 that are in a state of disrepair and pose potential safety hazards. Among these, 16 are rated as Grade D (dangerous), 116 as Grade C (potentially dangerous), 332 as Grade B (unable to meet normal usage requirements), and 12 have been demolished or had their functions changed. So far, the city has completely demolished five Grade D apartment buildings and is in the process of addressing six others.
In a recent report to the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the Department of Construction proposed that the People’s Committee direct the Department of Finance to take the lead in guiding and allocating funds from the city’s regular budget to implement the support mechanism stipulated in Resolution 17/2025 of the City Council. This resolution outlines incentives and support for investors participating in the renovation and reconstruction of apartment buildings in the city.
Additionally, the 42 wards with apartment buildings constructed before 1994 must inform organizations and individuals in areas with apartment buildings slated for renovation, encouraging their participation in the implementation of these projects.
Ho Chi Minh City is expected to provide support for 50% of the cost of constructing technical infrastructure outside the building (including transportation, water supply and drainage, lighting, and waste treatment), with a maximum support of VND 10 billion per project. The city will also provide 50% support for the cost of relocating and enforcing the relocation of households, in accordance with the approved plan.
Over the next five years, Ho Chi Minh City plans to renovate and rebuild 467 apartment buildings constructed before 1975 and a number of buildings from the 1975-1994 period. Grade B and C apartments will be repaired and upgraded, while the 16 Grade D apartments will be divided into two groups: seven that have been relocated and demolished will be rebuilt, and nine that have not been relocated or are in the process of being relocated will continue to be repaired and reconstructed.
The city aims to complete the renovation of all pre-1975 apartment buildings by 2035 and comprehensively address severely damaged, Grade D, or expired buildings from the 1975-1994 period.
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