Review of Housing Vulnerability Implications for Climate Resilient Houses

The document examines how socio-economic conditions, poor construction practices, and inadequate governance increase the vulnerability of housing to natural disasters in Vietnam, particularly in Central Vietnam and Da Nang. It identifies specific structural weaknesses in semi-permanent housing and argues that the cost of disaster-resistant reinforcement is lower than the long-term cost of repeated repairs.

• Housing is identified as one of the four most vulnerable sectors to climate extremes in Vietnam, with typhoons having the most significant impact compared to other hazards.
• In Central Vietnam, housing is categorized into four types based on the presence of reinforced concrete (RC) in the foundation, walls, and roof: permanent (all three parts RC), semi-permanent (two parts RC), less permanent (one part RC), and simple (no RC parts).
• Socio-economic status directly correlates with housing vulnerability; low-income households are the most vulnerable because they often build on cheap, hazard-prone land using local masons without technical designs or professional supervision.
• A 'two-fold source of vulnerability' has emerged in Central Vietnam since the 1986 Doi moi reforms, where the adoption of durable materials like cement and steel without safety-related disaster reduction measures has unexpectedly increased housing risk.
• Over 70% of residential houses built during the post-reform period lack typhoon- and flood-resistant features, commonly exhibiting flat roofs, inadequate roofing attachments, and a lack of structural bracings.
• Semi-permanent housing in Da Nang exhibits specific technical weaknesses, including T, L, or U-shaped plans that create 'wind-suction bags', roof angles smaller than 30 degrees that increase wind pressure, and walls with a thickness of 110mm that are risky to wind force.
• National disaster risk reduction documents in Vietnam provide top-down direction but lack specific strategies for local needs, and Da Nang's local authorities lack the legal framework to force residents to follow safe construction practices.
• While technical reinforcement for an unsafe house in Central Vietnam costs an average of 15-30% of total construction costs, failing to do so can result in annual repair costs of at least 20% of the house's total value.

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} }