The Hoi An Centre of Heritage Conservation and Management has complained about various difficulties in their preservation and renovation work resulting from a lack of financing and cumbersome procedures.

Houses on Tran Phu Street

Out of hundreds of deteriorating houses in Hoi An, 49 are about to collapse and 10 relics might not survive a storm. Each year, the city receives 70 to 80 requests to renovate old houses but only few have actually been repaired. Since Hoi An was recognised as national relic site, its renovation and preservation plans require extensive procedures.

Quan Than House on Tran Phu Street is one of the most unique houses. It was built in 17th century and features many fine examples of architectural style of the period. However, the house now requires extensive renovation as its wood frame is being destroyed by weevils and the walls and roof are caving in. When the owner had enough money for renovation, the necessary repairs could not be made because of cumbersome procedures.

 House's frame temporarily secured

Deteriorating wooden frames 

Resolution 70 states that the authority to inspect and create renovation plans for national relics belongs to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. However, Resolution15 says that relics at the district level and higher must be inspected by the Ministry of Construction. In order to repair the house, the plan must be approved by both ministries.

Tran Trung Hung, an official from the Hoi An Centre of Heritage Conservation and Management, said it took them at least five months complete a dossier while the need to repair old houses grew more and more urgent.

The centre and local authorities had to encourage people to preserve their own houses. Owners of severely deteriorated homes will be evacuated to new residences during storm seasons. If the house is deemed to be unsafe to live in, it would have to be destroyed.

Hoi An municipal authorities have also asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Construction and the government to adjust the regulations to make them more practical.