~Housing projects, known as ‘Cu Xa,’ were once prominent community dwellings in Ho Chi Minh City during the 1960s and 1970s. Originally established for American servicemen and former government officials, these areas are now primarily inhabited by workers, retailers, and students. They feature vibrant street-level markets for commerce and residential floors above. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life in these areas, leading to confinement and a halt in trade. Thanh Da, a lowincome housing district, has become a focal point for our design efforts. We aim to create prototype ‘healing buildings’ to provide additional public spaces for residents grappling with the pressures of the pandemic, with the potential for replication in other countries.