Residents living in nearly 40 units at an apartment building in Ho Chi Minh City have been relocated to temporary accommodation after the structure was found tilting due to subsidence.

The municipal Department of Transport has recently completed its inspection of Block E of the apartment complex at 518 Vo Van Kiet Street in District 1, concluding that the building “has leaned 45 centimeters” away from it original position.

The People’s Committee in District 1 had asked competent authorities to urgently relocate affected residents within Wednesday and Thursday to ensure their safety.

As of Thursday afternoon, all 38 households were brought to their temporary homes in District 1, District 4, Binh Thanh District, and Binh Chanh District.

“The announcement came as a shock to us. I had to spent an entire night collecting all of my belongings,” said Nguyen Thi Ngoc Huong, a 57-year-old resident.

Residents move their belongings to their temporary homes. Photo: Phuoc Tuan  / Tuoi Tre

Huong runs a small grocery shop at her apartment with an average monthly income of VND10 million (US$430) and is afraid she might not be able to continue the business at a temporary apartment in District 4.

“The apartment is very spacious but it is not my home. I won’t be able to prepare any decoration this Tet,” she remarked, referring to the Lunar New Year holiday.

Le My Tien, another affected resident who was moved to a different apartment complex in District 4, said she was unsure how to earn a living there.

Local authorities said they has been paying all moving cost, adding that the affected residents do not have to pay any rental fee at their temporary homes.

They, however, need to pay utility cost.

A total of 50 kilograms of rice per person, along with other types of gifts, will also be provided to help the families enjoy this year’s Tet, which falls on February 5.

According to Doan Ngoc Hai, deputy chairman of the district’s administration, the block E of the apartment complex will be demolished.

“We will seek a suitable investor to rebuild it. The process will be funded by the city’s budget in case there is no investor,” Hai elaborated.

Doan Ngoc Hai, deputy chairman of District 1’s administration, talks to a resident of the apartment building. Photo: Phuoc Tuan  / Tuoi Tre

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