A three-story house in central Hanoi, with just 1 meter of frontage but covering a total area of 30 square meters, has been listed for sale at 6.5 billion VND ($250,000). Despite its narrow facade, the property’s prime location on a bustling street raises its value, though potential buyers may need sharp eyes to even spot the entrance.

nha pho 3.jpg
The 1-meter-wide house is squeezed between two tall neighboring buildings. Photo: Tien Anh

Accompanying a real estate agent named Quang from Dong Da district, we were introduced to a 30-square-meter house with a mere 1-meter frontage located on Xa Dan Street in Dong Da district. This property is currently listed at 6.5 billion VND, equivalent to nearly 217 million VND per square meter.

The agent assured that the price includes all legal documents and basic furnishings, with the property’s legality fully secured. The three-story house was previously used for a small business, recently refurbished, and now up for sale.

nha mat tien 1m 1.jpg
The house, located on a major street in central Hanoi, has a frontage of only 1 meter.

The house’s narrow entrance, sandwiched between two tall buildings, is so discreet that on sunny days, it can be easily missed when the neighboring café sets up umbrellas and tarps, according to Mr. Kien, the owner of the café. “Many people come to view the house but struggle to find it. They often have to circle around multiple times because it’s hard to recognize the house’s location,” Kien recounted.

Since the owner currently resides abroad, the property is only occasionally accessible for viewings when the agent can arrange for someone local to unlock it. Inside, the house is still in its rough construction phase, with no interior furnishings.

The house, shaped like an L, has a 1-meter-wide frontage. According to the agent, this narrow strip of land has been preserved from earlier times. To maximize the use of this frontage, the owner designed a straight corridor (about 4 meters long) leading directly into the house, which then opens up into a slightly wider area for the staircase and living spaces.

nha mat tien 1m 2.jpg
Although the frontage on the main street is just 1 meter, the interior of the house is spacious enough for living or doing business.

The three-story house has a total floor area of 30 square meters, with each floor featuring a bathroom fully equipped with necessary fixtures.

Despite being on the market since last year at the current asking price, the property has yet to find a buyer.

“When I listed the property on various platforms, many people commented that the price was unrealistic. However, the house’s value doesn’t come from its size or view, but from its prime location on a busy street in a well-developed area, making it ideal for business,” Quang explained.

Nevertheless, some people remain skeptical about what kind of business could thrive in a house with such a narrow frontage, almost hidden between two imposing neighboring buildings.

Tien Anh