Hanoi has agreed on a long-term plan to gradually relocate communities living outside the Red River dike system, aiming to reshape both riverbanks into a unified urban space for the next century.

The challenge ahead is not only to preserve cultural values but also to organise and utilise them more effectively so that culture can become a genuine engine of tourism growth and sustainable urban development.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang said the city has many favorable conditions to pilot the “socialist commune and ward” model.

Hanoi is speeding up the implementation of seven bridge projects across the Red River, including Tu Lien, Tran Hung Dao and Ngoc Hoi, with a target of completion in the second quarter of 2027 to serve APEC 2027.

Key obstacles stalling the second campuses of Bach Mai and Viet Duc hospitals have been largely dismantled, and both facilities are being pushed to begin operations in the second quarter, as directed by PM Le Minh Hung.

If Hanoi does not select an existing ward or commune, Party Chief and State President To Lam has suggested choosing a new location to build a pilot “socialist ward” with a population of between 500,000 and one million.

Hanoi is considering a proposal to restrict gasoline-powered ride-hailing motorbikes and delivery drivers from operating within designated low-emission zones, as part of efforts to reduce urban air pollution.

Hanoi is accelerating plans to expand its high-quality school system while tightening output benchmarks, aiming to build a genuinely high-performing network capable of spearheading wider education reform.

In the first four months of this year, Hanoi welcomed an estimated 12.14 million visitors, up 20.9% year-on-year, generating total revenue of more than 50.8 trillion VND (1.93 billion USD), an increase of 22.8%.

Vietnam is accelerating a national strategy to develop unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with Hanoi positioning itself to pilot new governance models, regulatory sandboxes and early-stage applications in controlled airspace.

Regarding the city’s long plan with a 100-year vision, information about the relocation of 860,000 people from inner Hanoi was “inaccurate.”

Hanoi Police have been directed to urgently roll out key projects, including AI-powered camera systems, accelerated integration of surveillance networks, and pilot deployment of UAVs to monitor urban order.

Hanoi will waive fares for buses and metro services for seven days, aiming to encourage public transport use during major holidays.

Hanoi will begin testing a low-emission zone in Hoan Kiem from July 1, with designated parking areas aimed at easing the shift away from high-emission vehicles.

The National Assembly (NA) on April 23 passed the revised Capital Law, introducing a range of special mechanisms and policies to enhance governance and development in Hanoi.

From July, gasoline motorbikes may be restricted during peak periods in Hoan Kiem under a new emissions plan.

Heritage can only become a true “living asset” when it generates economic value while being properly preserved.

A government inspection reveals serious gaps in planning and execution, leaving critical housing needs unmet in the capital.

Digital transformation is accelerating the expansion and appeal of Hanoi’s metro system, positioning urban rail as a key pillar of sustainable transport amid mounting congestion and pollution pressures.