Society

The old Quang Trung apartment complex: The final days...

Diep Thanh • June 27, 2026 20:17

In late June, many residents of the old Quang Trung apartment complex were busy packing up their belongings to hand over the premises, preparing for the renovation and new construction project. After nearly half a century of existence, these apartment buildings, once home to many generations of residents, are gradually closing their historical "mission".

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122124807_d29d724c3ede4560e49a25c3fdc53043 — The relocation of residents from buildings C5 and C6 is being carried out urgently to ensure their safety during the upcoming rainy and stormy season, as many parts of the apartment buildings have seriously deteriorated after nearly 50 years of use. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122110540_9465a370f175386dea7adaf1c0bcab98 — Peeling walls, missing window panes, exposed steel frames... this is the current state of the Quang Trung apartment complex. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanh6448f1c3b21833466a09 — Amidst the scorching early summer sun, residents are scrambling to move their belongings to meet the deadline for handing over the land. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanh2 — Residents of Quang Trung apartment building are moving out. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122103973_e636f804855380d5f38777bb023e592d — Apartment buildings C5 and C6 have deteriorated to level D – the highest level of danger for apartment buildings, making them unsafe for residents, especially during the rainy and stormy season. Photo: Diep Thanh

Nhiều người dân sử dụng dây kéo để đưa đồ từ trên cao xuống. Ảnh: Diệp Thanh — Many residents use ropes to lower items down from high places. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122143387_00259ab09b7592150b634b2328d9a96c — Essential belongings have been removed, leaving only empty rooms with stained walls and traces of life that once existed there for decades. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122142199_b26a3e23c408facfb42baa9ca61d403a — A corner of the bedroom with two empty windows. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122157794_b544c3ec57bc746d1762a79839bbfe70 — The small, distinctive light-filled windows of the Quang Trung apartment building's staircase. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122125534_fe8bff7c2df9c21dadaa6d1ad11bb5a6 — The windows, now without doors, create a feeling of emptiness. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122122093_c1c96b5af2f844799a18f080cba725b2 — A view of Quang Trung Apartment Building from a window after demolition. Photo: Diep Thanh.

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122142297_ff00d2555ddabbb1ce59322a7fef89fa — An old-fashioned wooden chair was left behind by the homeowner. Simple items like these have been a part of the lives of many generations of residents at the Quang Trung apartment complex. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanh1bb04b3b08e089bed0f1 — Leaving the apartment they had lived in for many years, many residents couldn't hide their feelings of nostalgia. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122134243_75a9aabfc01a3ea1b0e262dc2c048293 — Out of a sense of responsibility to the residents, Mr. Le Doan Lien, Head of Block 8, Quang Trung Street, Thanh Vinh Ward, will be the last resident to leave the apartment complex. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanh0 — To facilitate the relocation of residents, the local authorities are providing financial assistance of 5 million VND per household for relocation and a monthly allowance of 5 million VND for temporary housing for a period of 6 months. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122147188_a403720a8deb463f4f6368e8caecde9d — During the peak of the hot weather, residents and transport units worked urgently to load and unload goods to meet the relocation deadline. Photo: Diep Thanh

người dân chung cư Quang Trung chuyển nhà Ảnh Diệp Thanhgen-h-z7982122122094_6e634dc27a6d300101cfaedd95ed15ca — From early morning to late afternoon, the moving process is continuous. Trucks line up leaving the apartment complex, carrying the belongings and memories of generations of residents. Photo: Diep Thanh

Diep Thanh