http://layered.typepad.com/photos/si_gn_houses/index.html

"Unlike Hà Nội where most new houses have a very historicist decorative design, the new houses in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) are more modernist if not just utilitarian. And while the houses in Hà Nội are most often painted ochre or vermillion, there is a much greater use of other colors in HCMC. As in Hà Nội, most houses are "tube houses" in that they are very narrow but very long. Although I haven't confirmed this yet, it is said that these lots are narrow because property taxes are based on the width of the lot at the street line. In HCMC, I guess (without confirmation yet) that many of the new houses are designed by young architects trying out new ideas, and this is very good to see. This in contrast to the usual utilitarian modernist larger buildings in HCMC. These pictures can be viewed by clicking on the first or top picture in the album and then click "next" on each photo to proceed though the album in slide show fashion."

by Mel Schenck

Great website! excellent pix

some of those tubehouses look

The houses/buildings look nice, but some of the colors on the tube houses have got to go...lol

Have you been back to Vietnam? When I was over there a few months ago, those tube houses look gorgeous and beautiful. They are like the paintings of Van Gogh. I admire those tube houses for their distinct color and slim width.

LOL true story here. 2 weeks ago I have to show a few Vietnamese architects/city planners from Saigon (one of them is my niece) Amsterdam and some other Dutch cities. And the first thing they want to see is the Van Gogh museum. He is really popular there.

That is so wonderful. Are you from Europe? When I see those tube houses with bright colors, there is a sense of happiness that stirs within my soul that reminds me of the bright lotus flowers among the water pond. It is a marvelous sight that invites us to embrace the environment whole heartedly.

Yeah, I'm from Europe. Most Viet regulars here on Viet Chat know I'm from Europe, only n00bs like you didn't know it yet. (j/k)

I hate the colors of those tube-houses. It hurts my eyes. But expect in a few years some of those tube-houses will have some Dutch designs.

those are really cool. i like the ones with the european desins too. they look really interesting.

Yes, I was there last year. Tubehouses are poping up everywhere. Majority of them are pretty low quality especially in the rural areas. The wall is very thin and there are no rebars in them. Houses and buildings should be built to last a long time plus must meet up to date standards.

Please forgive my ignorance of not knowing you.

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Blue Dragon

That is nice.

Some do look very nice!
I posted this before. Here it is again:

Tubehouses in US - super colorfull







Last year I witnessed this tubehouse being built. Designed by owner and built by local handyman.
I don't think Vietnam Building Codes are strictly enforced and not uniform. This will affect the landscape of Vietnam for a long long time.

Thanks for those pictures, Blue Dragon.

Nice!!!




Man, that looks scary without steel bars inside

There are load bearing and non-load bearing walls. Load-bearing walls (usually ~ exterior walls) need steel reinforcement where as non-load bearing walls (moveable walls, used to separate rooms) dont need it.

Those houses look like standing coffins, not very nice.

Ah, that makes much more sense to me! I was wondering how these thin walls could handle such a load. So, the non-load bearing walls are only for insulation (not energy efficient) and cosmetics, it seems like.

Why don't they knock down the entire neighborhood and rebuild those houses into condominiums. Are there any other countries with similar ugly designs?...Phillippines?

most of HCM city is ugly, and it's hard to rebuild.

i think we should just carpet bomb the entire city and rebuild it. lol.

Then we're gonna take another 31 years to build everything again.

would you rather prefer nukes?

some of those houses look cool, but the colours really throw it off ..