Unusual Building Code

Anyone who is familiar with building design would very quickly notice the uniqueness of Hanoi buildings. Each unit is super narrow in the front but is usually long lengthwise. Structural engineers would find it very challenging to design tall thin and slender buildings that cater for seismic forces. Moreover, area in the mid section of such long and narrow building without side windows is expected to pose ventilation and lighting problems.

As I discovered later, such practice dates back to very long time ago. Taxes were calculated based on the width of the building. In areas ruled by the French then, taxes were also calculated based on the window area. This explains why there are so few front windows and practically no side windows. This is indeed a very unusual building code!