Review of Housing Vulnerability Implications for Climate Resilient Houses

This research paper examines housing vulnerability to climate hazards in Vietnam, with a specific focus on Central Vietnam and the city of Da Nang. It analyzes how socio-economic status, poor construction practices, and a lack of professional technical guidance contribute to structural weaknesses in homes, particularly semi-permanent housing. The document highlights the 'two-fold source of vulnerability' where the use of modern materials without safety standards increases risk, and discusses the economic benefits of investing in disaster-resistant reinforcement to break the cycle of poverty caused by repeated disaster recovery costs.

• Vietnam is highly vulnerable to climate extremes, with typhoons having the most significant impact on housing. An estimated 80-90% of the population is significantly affected by such disasters, and Central Vietnam is identified as the most disaster-prone region.
• Housing vulnerability is closely tied to socio-economic status. High-income households live in safer urban areas with professionally supervised construction. Medium-income houses often lack sufficient storm-resistant connections. Low-income households are the most vulnerable, as they often build on cheap, hazard-prone land using local masons without technical designs or supervision.
• The transition to modern building materials in Central Vietnam after the 1986 Doi moi reforms created a 'two-fold source of vulnerability'. While families shifted from traditional materials like bamboo to cement and steel, they did so without safety-related disaster reduction measures. Consequently, over 70% of residential houses built during this period lack typhoon- and flood-resistant features, such as structural bracings and secure roof attachments.
• In Da Nang, semi-permanent housing is the most common type (over 75%) and exhibits specific technical weaknesses. Vulnerabilities include building shapes (T, L, and U-shapes) that create 'wind-suction bags', roof angles smaller than 30 degrees which increase wind pressure, and a lack of bond (ring) beams on top of walls to maintain stability during typhoons.
• National disaster risk reduction frameworks in Vietnam, such as the 2007 National Strategy for Natural Disaster Prevention, Response and Mitigation to 2020 and the 2008 National Target Program to Respond to Climate Change, provide top-down direction but lack specific strategies for local needs and sector-specific solutions.
• Investing in disaster-resistant reinforcement provides long-term economic benefits for low-income families by reducing the recurring cost of repairs. Technical reinforcement typically costs 15-30% of total construction costs, but without it, owners may spend 10-12 million VND annually on repairs for a house valued at 25-30 million VND, potentially spending double the initial construction cost over five years.

APA

Tran, T. A., Tran, P., Tuan, T. H., & Hawley, K. (2012). Review of Housing Vulnerability Implications for Climate Resilient Houses. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ISET2013_Sheltering-Series_1_ReviewofHousingVulnerability_140518.pdf

Chicago

Tran, Tuan Anh, Phong Tran, Tran Huu Tuan, and Kate Hawley. Review of Housing Vulnerability Implications for Climate Resilient Houses. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2012. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ISET2013_Sheltering-Series_1_ReviewofHousingVulnerability_140518.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Tran |first1=Tuan Anh |last2=Tran |first2=Phong |last3=Tuan |first3=Tran Huu |last4=Hawley |first4=Kate |title=Review of Housing Vulnerability Implications for Climate Resilient Houses |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=2012 |url=http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ISET2013_Sheltering-Series_1_ReviewofHousingVulnerability_140518.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{tran2012review, author = {Tran, Tuan Anh and Tran, Phong and Tuan, Tran Huu and Hawley, Kate}, title = {{Review of Housing Vulnerability Implications for Climate Resilient Houses}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2012}, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ISET2013_Sheltering-Series_1_ReviewofHousingVulnerability_140518.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }