A private driver in Hanoi has been charged with stealing 31 designer handbags and other luxury items from his employer in 26 separate incidents, with the stolen property valued at more than $320,000.

Hanoi has banned the planting of 18 tree species in public spaces because of toxicity, large thorns, weak branches and environmental concerns. Existing trees on the list will be gradually replaced under the city's new greenery regulations.

Hanoi has raised parking fees by up to twofold, with cars of up to nine seats now charged VND 50,000 (US$1.90) per hour on 12 streets in the city's central urban area.

Parking fees in Hanoi have risen sharply since October 15, adding to the cost of car ownership. Some drivers report spending more than VND 500,000 (US$19) a day on parking alone.

Hanoi is turning its rich folk traditions and cultural heritage into creative products, opening new revenue streams while building a cultural industry ecosystem that brings together artists, technology startups and private businesses.

Hanoi is putting cultural industries at the heart of its 2026 development agenda, with plans to strengthen policies, expand creative markets and turn the capital's rich heritage into a driver of economic growth.

The following is Part 2 of the interview with Hanoi Mayor Vu Dai Thang on third-quarter growth in 2026 and the challenges of mobilizing resources to fulfill special political tasks.

FPT has begun work on a building for 6,000 technology specialists and support staff in Hanoi, the first step towards a wider hub for research, training and commercialising new technologies.

Hanoi is considering relocating some of its 14,400 milkwood trees after their intense floral scent prompted complaints from residents. 

High-rise buildings disappeared behind a thick blanket of haze in Vietnam's capital on October 15, as Hanoi recorded some of the world's worst air pollution readings, raising concerns over health risks and deteriorating visibility.

The Hanoi Department of Construction says that dividing the Ring Road 3 into three lanes in each direction while removing the emergency stopping lane fails to align with technical standards and could exacerbate congestion during traffic incidents.

Hanoi has climbed five places in global mobile internet rankings, making it the world's fifth-fastest city for mobile internet.

Several popular cafes in Hanoi's old apartment buildings have closed or relocated, highlighting growing challenges over commercial use, parking, aging infrastructure and the impact on residents.

Hanoi is bringing its ancient heritage to life through 3D mapping, contemporary performances and nighttime tours, creating new cultural experiences and boosting its creative economy.

Hanoi has broken ground on the 6.5 trillion VND (252 million USD) Ba Vi Safari Park, marking a major step towards developing a large-scale wildlife and nature tourism destination west of the capital.

From apartment buildings and shopping malls to hospitals and schools, Hanoi wants paid parking facilities to collect fees digitally and share parking and transaction data with a centralized city system under proposed rules.

Vietnam's capital has climbed five places in global mobile internet rankings, with median download speeds approaching 500 Mbps, while the country rose to ninth worldwide in August 2026.

Eighteen years after a major expansion, Vietnam's capital faces a new test: easing congestion, renewing aging neighborhoods and building a more livable city without sacrificing the heritage that defines it.

A project to renovate and upgrade two sites in Hanoi's Old Quarter was launched on October 8, marking the first step towards establishing the Dong Xuan-Bac Qua cultural industry centre.