Hanoi eyes more urban railways, second airport in updated master plan

Hanoi plans to build additional urban railways and a second airport in its southern part under an updated master plan to 2045 with vision until 2065.

The plan, signed by the Prime Minister on December 27, features the development of 14 urban rail lines, with 10 already in the pipeline.

Accordingly, the capital city will span nearly 3,360 square kilometers, with 12 urban districts, 17 rural districts, and one town.

The master plan envisions Hanoi as "a modern, well-connected city" by 2030; and a "smart, eco-friendly city and a center for finance, science, technology, and education in Asia and the world" by 2045.

The city’s population is projected to reach 12 million by 2030, including approximately 10.5 million permanent residents, and 14.6 million by 2045, with 13 million permanent residents. The urbanization rate is expected to reach 60-70% by 2030, and exceed 75% by 2045.

A multi-polar, multi-center urban structure

The plan outlines a multi-polar, multi-center urban structure for Hanoi, dividing the city into five key urban areas.

The southern Red River urban area includes the historic city center, the expanded urban zone, and new development areas to the west and south, incorporating Dan Phuong, Hoai Duc, Ha Dong, and Thanh Tri districts, as well as parts of Thanh Oai and Thuong Tin.

The eastern urban area includes Long Bien and Gia Lam districts, while the northern urban area covers Dong Anh, Me Linh, and Soc Son districts, with plans to establish a northern city.

The western urban area spans Son Tay town, Ba Vi, Phuc Tho, Quoc Oai, Thach That, and Chuong My districts, with the future creation of a western city.

The southern urban area, which includes Thanh Oai, My Duc, Ung Hoa, Thuong Tin, and Phu Xuyen districts, is expected to evolve into a distinct southern city in the future.

Satellite and ecological urban areas will be separated by green corridors and connected through a comprehensive network of ring roads and radial transport routes.