The Pham The Hien apartment building (formerly in District 8) consists of three 4-story blocks: A, B, and C. Constructed with reinforced concrete, the total building area is 5,263 m2, housing around 450 families.

Many sections of blocks B and C are severely deteriorated. Walls show numerous cracks, exposing the metal framework. Concrete pillars are crumbling and heavily damaged. An official inspection in 2017 assessed blocks A and B as level B (not meeting normal usage requirements), and block C as level C (presenting dangerous conditions).

The walls in block B are waterlogged and peeling. Many pillars are cracked, exposing rusted steel bars, creating safety hazards.

Inside the building, the concrete ceiling is peeling, revealing the metal frame. Residents feel unsafe passing through these areas.

"A few days ago, I was walking down the hallway when two pieces of cement fell from the ceiling, nearly hitting my head," recounted Nguyen Thi Nhan, 88, a long-time resident.

A section of the first-floor hallway in block B has collapsed, forcing residents to erect a temporary bamboo barrier. Residents say this situation has persisted for over three months without any repairs.

In block C, residents utilize the walkways to store belongings.

Le Thi Lien, 71, has lived with her family in this apartment building since childhood. "A few years ago, the building underwent some repairs, but there haven't been any in recent years," she said while preparing vegetables for dinner.

Lien lives with seven family members in a 40 m2 apartment. Whenever she hears news of the building's impending demolition and reconstruction, she worries about where her family will temporarily relocate. To date, her family has not received any official notice from the authorities.