Hanoi Unveils Century-Long Plan to Reshape Ancient Capital Amidst Population Growth

Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, has recently unveiled a century-long master plan to address the millennium-old capital's challenges of aging infrastructure, traffic congestion, and flooding, while also responding to growing population pressure. The plan centers around the Red River, envisioning horizontal and vertical expansion, and strengthening water management, greening, and transportation.

The Hanoi People's Committee approved the "Hanoi Century Master Plan" on the 13th, outlining development scales and population management for the expanding capital over the next hundred years.

Hanoi, a capital with over a thousand years of history, has been Vietnam's political and cultural center since the Lý Dynasty established its capital at Thăng Long (present-day Hanoi) in the 11th century. Like many ancient capitals, Hanoi faces challenges in urban development, road planning, and infrastructure, including traffic jams, flooding during heavy rains, insufficient land, and aging construction.

According to the plan, the Hanoi metropolitan area will cover approximately 3,359 square kilometers. The capital's population is projected to reach 14 to 15 million by 2035 and 17 to 19 million by 2065, with an upper limit of 20 million. This indicates a high development density compared to other metropolitan areas.

Adopting a "compact and green" strategy, Hanoi will expand not only horizontally but also vertically into underground and elevated spaces. Underground areas will be developed in layers for transportation, utilities, water storage, and strategic facilities, with underground construction in central areas expected to reach about 40% of the land area by 2065.

The century-long plan identifies 2035, 2045, 2065, and 2085 as key transformation periods. By 2035, Hanoi aims to become a green, smart, modern city and a significant regional financial, commercial, and innovation center, targeting a regional gross domestic product (GRDP) of approximately $200 billion and a per capita GDP of $18,800.

Subsequently, Hanoi strives to become a leading innovation center in the Asia-Pacific region by 2045. The surrounding northern provinces have seen strong development in the electronics industry, with major Taiwanese tech companies establishing a significant presence there, making it a unique overseas hub for them and highlighting Hanoi's technological development advantages.

Under the master plan, the Red River (Sông Hồng), considered the mother river by North Vietnamese people, will be designated as a strategic axis. The riverbank spaces will be developed into large-scale cultural, ecological, and urban areas, moving beyond just flood control.

The fertile soil of the Red River Delta forms the basis for North Vietnam's development, and the name "Hanoi" originates from this. The century-long plan will enhance connectivity between the two banks of the Red River through bridges, ring roads, and new urban corridor networks, extending to new development areas north of Hanoi.

Water management and transportation infrastructure are two major focuses. The plan aims to revitalize numerous rivers within the city and reduce pollution. It also seeks to fundamentally eliminate urban flooding through reservoirs, drainage systems, and underground rainwater storage, coupled with comprehensive wastewater treatment and reuse, addressing long-standing urban issues for residents.

In terms of transportation, Hanoi hopes to resolve congestion issues within five years by accelerating the construction of ring roads, orbital traffic lanes, cross-river bridges, and urban subway lines. Additionally, the feasibility of building a second international airport is being studied to meet future regional demands.

The historic city center area will also be re-planned, including reducing building density in the central urban core and prioritizing land for parks, green spaces, and public areas, while protecting historical sites and characteristic urban areas such as Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and the Temple of Literature.

Hanoi's ambitious, phased plan aims to develop the capital into a technologically smart, green, and sustainably developing international metropolis, with improvements in public transportation and water management being the most anticipated projects by citizens.