A massive fire tore through Volume Club in Hanoi on May 11, leaving the building severely damaged, blanketing the area in thick black smoke and claiming one life as authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

Hanoi’s People’s Council has elected two additional vice chairmen for the city administration for the 2026-2031 term.

Hanoi plans to develop a night economy zone along the Red River scenic boulevard into a creative economic center bringing together high-value cultural, artistic and commercial activities.

Hanoi’s People’s Council has postponed consideration of a draft resolution related to low-emission zones within Ring Road 1, including proposed restrictions on gasoline-powered vehicles.

Hanoi officially welcomed the Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquerware craft village and the Son Dong lacquer sculpture craft village into the World Crafts Cities network at a ceremony held at the Thang Long imperial citadel on May 8.

The Hanoi Department of Health has ordered stronger surveillance and prevention measures against Hanta virus disease following warnings from the Ministry of Health (MoH) over recent international cases.

Authorities in Hanoi are preparing to pilot a low-emission zone in the Hoan Kiem core area from July 1, 2026, with residents expected to register roadmaps for switching away from petrol-powered motorbikes during the first phase of implementation.

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.