The ‘Tube Houses’ that Dominate Hanoi’s Streets

Jun 10, 2021 | NEWS, Vietnam

by AFP

Hanoi’s tree-lined streets are packed with dwellings that are barely four meters wide, but three times that in-depth

Tall, thin and brightly colored, Hanoi’s “tube houses” dominate the city’s streets as nine million people compete for space in Vietnam’s bustling capital.

Although Vietnam saw a number of villas and garden houses built during the French colonial period, Hanoi has few of these grand residential homes.

Instead, tree-lined streets are packed with dwellings that are barely four meters wide, but are three times that in depth.

Tube House

Typically, a tube house might be home to a family of four but two or three generations of relatives sometimes have to jostle for space.

Hanoi Vietnam

The first tube houses — known as “nha ong” in Vietnamese — are thought to have appeared in the capital at the end of the 19th century, when villagers looking to sell silver, traditional herbs and tools began to move to the area.

Hanoi Street's

A narrow architectural style evolved from the limited available space, said Tran Quoc Bao, a senior lecturer at the National University of Civil Engineering.

Adjoining Houses in Modern Day Hanoi

The design is still a favorite in modern day Hanoi, where architects now refer to them as “adjoining houses”.

Tube Houses in Vietnamese Cities

Tube houses can also be found in other Vietnamese cities

“This model of house is essential for an urban architect (today). The adjoining house is a combination of both the traditional and modern residence,” the Hanoi-based lecturer told AFP, adding that they can also be found in many other Vietnamese cities.

PHOTO ESSAY BY MANAN VATSYAYANA/afp