Hanoi is installing a temporary elevated walkway with lighting beside Hoan Kiem Lake, creating new viewpoints and photo spots around one of the capital's best-known landmarks.

The London Symphony Orchestra will open its Oct. 2 concert at Hanoi's Ho Guom Opera House with Vietnam's national anthem, followed by works by Lyadov, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.

Hanoi police are considering installing automatic retractable bollards to control vehicle access to the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian zone, potentially replacing manual barriers and allowing faster access for emergency vehicles.

Nearly 5,000 AI cameras have gone live in Hanoi as police expand the use of artificial intelligence, drones and digital data for traffic management, public security and law enforcement. 

Hanoi’s decision to remove newly installed distance signs from Nhat Tan Bridge has sparked discussion over whether sound road-safety rules can have unintended consequences on heavily congested routes.

Hanoi is proposing streamlined direct awards for major railway contracts. Strategic contractors would have to commit to price reductions and technology transfers, and could carry out trial construction on some components before project approval.

Vietnam will pursue rapid development without sacrificing its heritage or cultural identity, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung told an international conference on heritage and authenticity in Hanoi.

The second Cultures of the World Festival in Hanoi 2026, scheduled for October 1-4, will bring together representatives from 50 countries and international organisations.

Hanoi is shifting towards targeted investment promotion to attract multinational corporations that can lead high-tech supply chains.

Multiple flooding hotspots in Hanoi have drained faster following heavy rainstorms,  demonstrating the initial effectiveness of flood control measures, while highlighting broader challenges regarding citywide drainage capacity.

Nearly 900 athletes, including three overseas dragon boat teams, are expected at Hanoi’s West Lake on October 3–4 for the 2026 Hanoi Open Dragon Boat and Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tournament.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam said 500km of additional subway lines could transform Hanoi, while stressing that major projects must secure public support and maintain quality.

Hanoi is setting up an inter-agency mechanism to coordinate greenhouse gas inventories, emissions cuts and participation in the carbon market.

Thang Long-Hanoi cultural symbols were showcased in 14 groups taking part in a Mid-Autumn lantern parade around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi on September 25.

Hanoi has temples, French villas, street food and a thousand years of history. Now, the Vietnamese capital is exploring whether jazz-shaped by local sounds, spaces and stories-can become another reason for visitors to experience the city and return.

Hanoi and India held a high-tech innovation cooperation roundtable in New Delhi on September 24, drawing businesses, research institutes and universities to assess cross-border partnership opportunities.

Hanoi’s tourism sector continues to grow, but expanding hotel supply, particularly in the high-end segment, is prompting businesses to seek new sources of demand and encourage longer stays to improve operational efficiency.

The search for the critically rare Hoan Kiem turtle is drawing renewed attention in Vietnam, as scientists seek evidence of whether another Rafetus swinhoei may still survive beneath the waters of Dong Mo Lake in Hanoi.

Hanoi is using a digital, data-driven system to score the performance of its top officials each day, with results to be made public monthly and quarterly.