Hanoi’s Old Quarter looks untidy as millennial anniversary approaches

With a population density of up to 84,000 persons per square kilometer, the Old Quarter is one of the most heavily populated areas in the world. According to authorities, the average space is only 1.5-2 square meters of land per person.

On Dinh Liet street, decayed buildings stand besides modern houses.

Hang Bac street is the most beautiful in the Old Quarter, but there are still some houses like this.

On the outside, this house (47 Hang Bac) seems to be one of the oldest in Hanoi. With a total area of over 100 square meters, this building houses 4 families with 20 people. They can’t repair the house because they don’t have the ownership certificate.

Many ancient houses are deformed after they are extended and repaired.

Banisters of many old houses have been extended to become toilets or warehouses.

Dirty houses also appear on modern streets like Nguyen Huu Huan or Ly Thai To.