3 groups of problems that hinder renovation
Mr. Nguyen Phi Thuong - Director of the Hanoi Department of Construction said that although the city has made great efforts to direct, the renovation and reconstruction of old apartment buildings still faces many difficulties due to the lack of specific regulations in the current legal system. According to him, there are three major groups of problems that are hindering the renovation and reconstruction of old apartment buildings, including: Detailed planning on construction density, high-rise and population; site clearance; and ensuring the rights of people.
According to Mr. Nguyen Phi Thuong, unlike social housing - a national problem, renovating old apartments is a specific problem in large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, it is necessary to allow the Chairman of the City People's Committee to decide to adjust some planning and architectural indicators such as high-rise buildings, population and update them to the nearest planning adjustment period; at the same time, decide on mechanisms and policies for site clearance in the direction of the State reclaiming land instead of letting investors negotiate with the people as at present.
Currently, Hanoi City has approved 2/3 detailed planning tasks for Thanh Cong and Ngoc Khanh collective housing areas and is continuing to complete the planning documents of Giang Vo collective housing areas. The Hanoi People's Committee issued Decision No. 3563/QD-UBND dated June 30, 2025 approving the tasks and detailed planning projects for the renovation, reconstruction and reconstruction of Thanh Cong and surrounding apartment buildings, scale 1/500; Decision No. 3562/QD-UBND dated June 30, 2025 approving the detailed planning task for the renovation, reconstruction and reconstruction of Ngoc Khanh and surrounding apartment buildings, scale 1/500.
According to the Hanoi People's Committee, to speed up the progress of preparing and submitting detailed plans, the city has assigned the Giang Vo Ward People's Committee to focus on and urgently completing tasks and projects, submit for appraisal and approval according to the provisions of the Law on Urban and Rural Planning and current guiding documents, as a basis for implementing the next steps.
The project to renovate and rebuild old apartment buildings in the city is divided into four phases, in which phase 1 prioritizes implementation for 10 apartment buildings, including Giang Vo collective housing area. The Steering Committee for the renovation and reconstruction of old apartment buildings in Hanoi is closely directing the implementation to ensure progress.
Lessons from site clearance for Ring Road 1
On December 11, with 431/435 delegates in favor, the National Assembly passed a Resolution to pilot a number of specific mechanisms and policies to implement major and important projects in the capital. According to this resolution, the Hanoi People's Committee is allowed to decide on compulsory demolition measures when reaching a consensus rate of over 75% of homeowners and landowners, equivalent to at least 75% of the residential land area in the renovation area.
Mr. Tran Van Son (resident of Thanh Cong apartment complex, Hanoi) said that the National Assembly's resolution has opened a "legal runway" for the renovation and reconstruction of old apartment buildings. According to Mr. Son, lessons from site clearance for the Ring Road 1 project show that when there is a resolution of a State agency and the participation of the entire political system, people need to comply.
"When there are over 70% of consensus, construction must be implemented, not for the reason of high and low floors. The first-floor households have benefited for many years, now they need sharing. If we do not agree, we will be forced to enforce it," said Mr. Son.
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper reporter, Mr. Le Van Thinh - former Head of Appraisal Department 1, State Appraisal Department of Construction Quality (Ministry of Construction) - said that most of the old apartment buildings in Hanoi currently need to be completely rebuilt, it is not necessary to continue assessing the level of danger, because most of them were built from the 1960s to 1970s.
"From the National Assembly's resolution, it is necessary to have the drastic participation of local authorities and specify the legalization in the Housing Law and the Capital Law; assign Hanoi City to proactively plan and collect people's opinions to build new residential areas," Mr. Thinh emphasized.
