Red River to be main axis for Hanoi planning: official

The Red River will be the axis of Hanoi’s transport and urban development along the two river banks in the near future, said director of the municipal Department of Planning and Architecture Nguyen Trong Ky Anh.

The Prime Minister in June issued a decision approving the task of adjusting the Hanoi Capital Master Plan to 2045, with a vision to 2065.

It is expected that in September-October, after selecting a consultant, Hanoi will organize seminars and collect feedback from relevant agencies, organizations, individuals and communities on the master plan, Anh told a meeting between the Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung and Vietnam Fatherland Front committees at all levels on Wednesday.

In December, the city will report to the Prime Minister the plan to adjust the Hanoi Capital Master Plan to 2045, with a vision to 2065, together with the Capital Planning report, he added.

The adjustments will focus on identifying the capital’s elements of civilization and modernity; developing synchronous urban and rural areas; investing in developing both sides of Ring Road 4 and landscape axes; studying and building a model of cities directly under the capital in the northern region (Dong Anh, Me Linh and Soc Son districts) and the western region (Hoa Lac and Xuan Mai areas), forming a new spatial structure; planning the development of urban underground space, green space and public space.

Anh said the municipal People's Committee has approved the Red River urban subdivision planning (the section from Hong Ha Bridge to Me So Bridge) and the Duong River subdivision planning (the section from Bac Cau Bridge to Phu Dong Bridge encompassing Dan Phuong, Bac Tu Liem, Tay Ho, Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, Hoang Mai, Thanh Tri, Thuong Tin, Me Linh, Dong Anh, Long Bien and Gia Lam districts).

Currently, district people's committees are making detailed plans for existing residential areas under the direction of the municipal People's Committee. They are also studying and proposing investment projects in areas where construction is allowed as a basis for organizing tenders to select project investors in accordance with the law.

In late 2023 and early 2024, the city will simultaneously implement the planning schemes on both sides of the Red River, Anh said.

During the implementation process, Hanoi will collect feedback from organizations, individuals and communities, and will need the engagement and coordination of Vietnam Fatherland Front committees at all levels, he added.

Under the adjusted master plan, Hanoi is looking to develop urban areas along the Red River. The Red River will continue as the core of Hanoi with urban development on both sides.

Hanoi will also create cities within the city, similar to Thu Duc city in Ho Chi Minh City, such as a northern city combining Dong Anh, Me Linh, and Soc Son, and a western city of Hoa Lac and Xuan Mai towns.

In addition, Hanoi will build smart urban areas along Vo Nguyen Giap road, a road that connects the central area to Noi Bai airport across the Red River.

The adjusted plan is subject to assessment by the Ministry of Construction in August and approval by the National Assembly in October.

The current plan was drawn up in 2011 and does not meet Hanoi's actual growth. For instance, the city's population exceeded eight million in 2019, higher than the 7.3 million it was forecast to reach by 2020. The adjusted plan will cover all 30 districts of the city with an area of 3,359.8 square kilometers.

The plan envisioned five satellite urban areas on the outskirts of the city: Son Tay, Hoa Lac, Xuan Mai, Phu Xuyen, and Soc Son, covering 25,000 hectares. These areas were meant to attract residents from the inner city and balance the development between the inner and outer areas of Hanoi.