Hanoi regulates that commercial apartments of 45-70 m2 can only accommodate 2 people.

On May 27, the Hanoi People's Committee issued Decision No. 34 regulating the method of determining population targets for apartment buildings, mixed-use apartment buildings and some other residential buildings, effective from June 10.

Accordingly, in the stage of detailed planning, master plan, architectural plan of the project, the population of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings for commercial housing is determined according to the target of 3.6 people/apartment, or determined according to the structure of the rooms and the corresponding apartment usable area.

For a one-room apartment in a mixed-use commercial apartment building, the usable area is 25-45 m2, it is counted as one person; a two-room apartment, the usable area is over 45-70 m2, it is counted as 2 people; an apartment over 70-100 m2, it is counted as 3 people. An apartment with 3 rooms or more, the area is over 100-125 m2, it is counted as 4 people; from 125 m2 or more, it is counted as 5 people.

For apartments and mixed-use apartments used as social housing, the structure of the rooms and the corresponding apartment usable area are determined. Accordingly, a one-room apartment with an usable area of ​​25-45 m2 is counted as one person; a 2-3-room apartment with an area of ​​over 40-55 m2 is counted as 2 people; an area of ​​over 55-70 m2 is counted as 3 people; an area of ​​over 70-77 m2 is counted as 4 people.

For special projects (expert housing, official housing...), the application of the above regulations is not suitable, the Department of Planning and Architecture shall report to the Hanoi People's Committee for consideration and decision.

For projects, hotel buildings, resort hotels, and resort villas, Decision 34 states that they can only be researched and implemented in tourist areas and areas in accordance with planning approved by competent authorities; population determination is not required for these projects.

The Hanoi People's Committee assigned the People's Committees of districts, towns, and departments to be responsible for implementing regulations on methods for determining population targets for apartment buildings, mixed-use apartment buildings, and a number of other residential buildings in the area.

The regulation of population quotas for commercial and social housing types aims to ensure population density, living environment for people as well as the ability of urban infrastructure to meet the demand. However, this regulation creates a big challenge for upcoming projects because it requires much larger resources than at present.

Currently, apartment prices are increasing, many commercial and social apartments have very high population density, usually 3-5 people in a 50-70 m2 apartment.