Inside the dilapidated apartment complex in the heart of the capital.

TPO - Even with the naked eye, it's easy to see that the steel reinforcement of two staircases in the apartment complex managed by the University of Commerce (Cau Giay district, Hanoi ) has rusted severely and could collapse.

Located in alley 29 Duong Khue, next to the campus of the University of Commerce, the E1 apartment building of the University of Commerce has long been criticized for its serious deterioration.

Speaking to Tien Phong newspaper, several residents said that the building was constructed in the 1960s and was provided as accommodation for staff members of the University of Commerce who were facing housing difficulties.

The staircases in the building show many signs of dangerous deterioration.

Many residents in the building said that even with the naked eye, it was easy to see that the steel reinforcement in the two staircases and walls had rusted badly. In fact, even a slight impact would cause the steel to fall off.

"Because the staircase is getting weaker and weaker, we don't dare to walk fast or forcefully, or carry heavy items when going up and down. Many days, plaster and rusty iron even fall on our heads while we're walking," said one tenant in the building.

Due to structural deterioration and potential hazards, a section of the staircase leading to the rooftop in the building has been temporarily blocked off by residents using wooden planks.

Currently, there is only one access point to the rooftop of the building. On the rooftop, residents utilize the flat area to grow vegetables.

The first floor of the building is used as retail kiosks, while the second floor is rented out to many tenants.

The interior of the building was always poorly lit.

Many areas within the building pose a high risk of fire. Residents say that, over time, cracks in the building have become increasingly common.

Speaking to Tien Phong newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Mai Dich ward, said that the E1 apartment complex was built a long time ago and is still under the management of the University of Commerce and has not yet been handed over to the district and ward for management.

Meanwhile, speaking to Tien Phong newspaper, a representative from the University of Commerce stated that the E1 dormitory complex was originally the university's cafeteria. Later, the university lent it to its staff and faculty for temporary housing. Therefore, the rooms were renovated into apartments. Currently, only a few people who were provided accommodation by the University of Commerce still live in the complex; the majority rent out the apartments. According to the University of Commerce representative, the university currently has no plans to renovate the complex due to a number of subjective and objective difficulties. Furthermore, after decades, reclaiming the complex for renovation faces numerous challenges...

According to the Ministry of Construction , in Hanoi, in 2020, the entire city had 1,579 old apartment buildings, most of which were built between 1960 and 1992. However, in the past 20 years, only about 1.14% of the total of more than 1,500 old apartment buildings and residential complexes that need repair, renovation, or modernization have been completed.

Over time, due to a lack of regular maintenance, urban infrastructure has deteriorated, causing many old apartment buildings to continue to seriously degrade, with some severely damaged and posing a safety hazard to the structural integrity of the buildings. Statistics show that out of a total of 401 old apartment buildings inspected, 80 were classified as dangerous at level D (the most dangerous level). However, the city has only implemented 32 old apartment building renovation projects, with 18 completed; of which, 2 projects have been put into use, and 14 projects are currently underway.

Beginning of Winter

Source: https://tienphong.vn/ben-trong-khu-tap-the-cho-sap-giua-thu-do-post1628946.tpo