Ngo Gia Tu and An Quang apartment buildings in District 10 were built nearly 50 years ago and have become seriously deteriorated. Cracks can be seen on walls, ceilings or staircases despite numerous upgrades and restoration work.

Ngo Gia Tu apartment buildings were built in 1968 with 16 four-storey blocks. Local authorities have recently asked residents to move but many have refused as the compensation payments are far too low.

Many people have built extra room to enlarge their living space, adding more burden to the already weak walls. 

Wastes, sewage, and rats have also become a big problem for thousands of residents here due to poor waste treatment system.

Rubbish can be seen all over the roofs.

A market in the middle of the apartment blocks is also dirty.

Pham Thi Le, 76, said that she has been living here for over 40 years now and does not want to move. "It is very convenient here," Le said. "But if the government wants to destroy the old buildings, they should help resettle us in a good area."

An elderly man has to hang a hammock in the corridor to read a book due to a lack of space indoors

Some families live in the staircase areas.

A small boy tried to avoid waste water drops from the An Quang building as he walked home.

Paint cover fell from the ceiling at An Quang building