Review of Housing Vulnerability Implications for Climate Resilient Houses

This research paper examines housing vulnerability to climate extremes, specifically typhoons and floods, in Vietnam with a focus on Central Vietnam and Da Nang. It analyzes how socio-economic status, inadequate construction practices, and a lack of professional technical guidance contribute to structural risks. The document highlights a 'two-fold source of vulnerability' where the adoption of modern materials without safety-related design increases risk. It concludes that while disaster-resistant reinforcement adds initial costs, it significantly reduces long-term repair expenses for low-income households.

• Vietnam is identified as having higher levels of risk from floods and typhoons compared to the Philippines and Indonesia, attributed to the low levels of preparedness within vulnerable Vietnamese communities.
• In Central Vietnam, a 'two-fold source of vulnerability' has emerged since the 1986 Doi moi reforms; households shifted from traditional materials to more durable ones like cement blocks and steel, but did so without incorporating 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 roofing attachments.
• Housing vulnerability is strongly linked to socio-economic status. Low-income households are the most vulnerable because they often purchase the cheapest plots in hazard-prone or peripheral areas and build houses without technical designs or professional supervision, relying instead on the experience of local masons.
• 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, heights exceeding 3.6m, roof angles smaller than 30 degrees, and thin surrounding walls of 110mm without consolidated partitions or piers.
• National disaster risk reduction documents 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 macro direction but lack specific strategies for local needs, contexts, and capacities.
• Technical reinforcement for unsafe houses in disaster-prone regions of Central Vietnam typically adds 15-30% to the total construction cost, and can exceed 60% for extremely vulnerable homes. However, failing to reinforce houses can lead to annual repair costs of at least 20% of the house's total value, meaning owners may spend double the initial construction cost on repairs 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. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Sheltering-from-a-gathering-storm-Discussion-Paper-Series-Review-of-Housing-Vulnerability.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. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Sheltering-from-a-gathering-storm-Discussion-Paper-Series-Review-of-Housing-Vulnerability.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=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Sheltering-from-a-gathering-storm-Discussion-Paper-Series-Review-of-Housing-Vulnerability.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 = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Sheltering-from-a-gathering-storm-Discussion-Paper-Series-Review-of-Housing-Vulnerability.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }