Overnight Queues for Social Housing: Experts Propose Digital Solutions

Amidst scenes of crowds jostling, self-organizing lists, and enduring harsh weather to submit applications for social housing, the Ministry of Construction has urged local authorities to implement a series of measures. These aim to tighten the application process, prevent “application brokers,” halt illegal deposit collection, and ensure transparency in social housing purchases and rentals.

Social Housing Frenzy

The demand for affordable housing in Hanoi is surging as commercial apartment prices soar to nearly 100 million VND per square meter. This has driven low- and middle-income earners to seek out more budget-friendly social housing projects.

For instance, the CT3 and CT4 social housing projects in Kim Chung, Thien Loc commune, offer a total of 1,104 units. With a tentative price of 18.4 million VND per square meter (including VAT and maintenance fees), a unit here ranges from 900 million to 1.3 billion VND—a highly attractive option in Hanoi’s housing market. Applications are accepted from November 17, 2025, to January 3, 2026 (excluding weekends), solely at the Thien Loc Cultural and Sports Center.

Long queues and overnight waits to submit applications have become commonplace for social housing projects in Hanoi. A similar scenario unfolded in Dong Anh district, where hundreds camped out overnight to secure their spot. This highlights not only the immense demand for housing but also the scarcity of affordable options in the market.

According to Mr. Nguyen The Diep, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Real Estate Club, the stark price difference between social and commercial housing is the root cause. With commercial apartments reaching nearly 100 million VND per square meter, projects like CT3 and CT4 in Kim Chung, priced at 18.4 million VND per square meter, are far more appealing. This price advantage, coupled with limited supply, fuels a “fear of missing out” among buyers.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Real Estate Brokerage Association (VARs), notes that affordable housing options are scarce. Over the past three years, the market has focused on high-end projects for investment and speculation. Even suburban areas, once expected to provide reasonably priced housing, have become expensive, only slightly cheaper than central districts.

Urgent Need for Digital Solutions

VARs data reveals that the 80–200 million VND per square meter segment dominates, accounting for 42% of Hanoi’s apartment supply. In contrast, affordable units, the most sought-after category, make up just 3% of new launches, all from social housing projects. This indicates that low-cost commercial housing has nearly vanished, while the need for affordable homes grows more urgent.

M.A. Architect Tran Tuan Anh, an urban planning and management expert, criticizes the traditional queue-based application process for its inefficiency and toll on citizens’ time and health. This method also risks unfairness, as people jostle while the approval system remains cumbersome and error-prone.

The overnight queues at the CT3 and CT4 Kim Chung projects underscore the dire need for housing and highlight the necessity of modernizing application processes. Digitization could bring transparency, convenience, and fairness to social housing distribution.

At a late October 2025 meeting on social housing, Deputy Minister of Finance Do Thanh Trung proposed an online registration system. This would allow sequential application reviews through an integrated database, significantly reducing processing times.

Experts argue that digital transactions enhance transparency, reduce disputes, and combat money laundering and speculation. If effectively implemented, this shift could mark a turning point toward a modern, sustainable real estate market in Vietnam.