Concerns grow as Hoi An’s ancient houses deteriorate during storm season

Efforts to reinforce and preserve these structures are hampered, as preservation authorities often struggle to contact the homeowners.

Over the past few days, forces in Hoi An Ward, together with the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation, have been continuously inspecting and monitoring ancient structures in the historic town.

According to the latest inventory, Hoi An Ancient Town currently has 30 deteriorating heritage sites at varying levels.

Among them, nine are classified as severely deteriorated, and 14 others are in critical condition requiring urgent reinforcement measures.

At several historic houses along Phan Chau Trinh, Nguyen Hue, and Tran Quy Cap Streets, the roofing systems, wooden beams, and support columns show signs of rot.

In some structures, roof tiles are sagging, allowing rainwater to leak into the interior spaces.

These buildings have been degrading over long periods due to their age—many are over a century old.

During each rainy season, local forces must implement temporary reinforcements just to help the structures withstand the storms while awaiting full restoration projects.

The Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation said that many of the ancient houses are now so dilapidated that residents need to be relocated to safer accommodations.

According to Hoi An Ward authorities, they are closely monitoring at-risk homes and are prepared to evacuate households living in severely degraded structures in the event of storms.

However, the process of initiating reinforcement or restoration procedures is often hindered by difficulties in contacting the official owners of these houses.

This is due to generational transfers of ownership—many homes have changed hands within families or have been rented out or handed over to relatives for use.

Hoi An Ancient Town has approximately 1,130 heritage sites, including 1,068 ancient houses, most of which were built from wood and date back hundreds of years.

The architectural complex lies downstream of the Thu Bon River and is frequently submerged during annual floods, further affecting the longevity of these historic structures.