As for Hoan Kiem Lake, the proposed partial adjustment of the H1-1B urban zoning plan, covering the lake and its surrounding area, together with part of the H1-1C urban zoning plan, intended to implement the orientations set out in the capital’s master plan with a 100-year vision, has been approved by the municipal People’s Committee.

Under the proposal, the Hoan Kiem Lake area and its surroundings will be upgraded and restructured while restoring and promoting their distinctive historical, cultural, architectural and landscape values. High-quality public facilities will be developed and spatial connectivity strengthened to meet the capital’s needs in a new phase of urban development.

The proposed expansion of public space aims to improve connectivity and restructure areas undergoing renovation and upgrading, while creating additional diverse cultural spaces and completing the overall development of the Hoan Kiem Lake area and its surroundings.

This will go hand in hand with preserving the area’s distinctive culture, architecture and landscape, providing more amenities for high-quality tourism, and improving urban infrastructure and environmental conditions. The plan also seeks to create connected public spaces linking Hoan Kiem Lake with Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, St. Joseph’s Cathedral Square, Ly Thai To Square, Hanoi Opera House Square and the square in front of the King Le monument.

Another orientation is to create a larger square in front of the municipal People’s Council and People’s Committee headquarters, while expanding green spaces and water features to enhance the landscape of the historic inner-city center and meet the needs of contemporary urban activities.

Hoan Kiem Lake is a special space for the capital. Every decision concerning the area must be carefully considered and studied on a scientific basis, in line with planning requirements and, above all, taking public opinion into account.

The ultimate goal is to preserve and promote the lake’s unique values so that it can continue to serve as a symbol of Hanoi and remain valuable to future generations.

Hanoi’s GRDP is estimated to have grown 10.02 percent in the third quarter, marking the first double-digit growth rate this year. Looking back over the first nine months, what changes have you observed in the economy and the city’s management?

The clearest change is that Hanoi’s economy accelerated in the third quarter. Growth of 10.02 percent was the highest recorded in the first three quarters, bringing nine-month GRDP growth to 8.85 percent, above the 7.92 percent recorded in the same period last year and the 8.22 percent recorded in the first six months of this year.

Progress has been evident across multiple sectors. Industrial production rose 9 percent in the first nine months, with the industrial structure gradually shifting toward high technology and higher value-added activities. Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue reached VND810.9 trillion, up 15.6 percent. Agriculture remained stable, while budget revenue continued to provide resources for development.

The city is working to resolve difficulties facing projects with non-state funding, turning land, capital and credit into actual productive capacity. Electronics, semiconductors, automation, artificial intelligence and supporting industries are also emerging as new growth drivers.

In the first nine months, Hanoi issued 28 decisions to establish industrial clusters and expand industrial clusters. To date, 79 industrial clusters have become operational, while infrastructure investment is underway in many others.

More importantly, I believe, is the shift in management toward using tangible results as the benchmark. We are not simply looking at the amount of capital mobilized, the number of approved projects or the amount of disbursed funds. We are also examining how much actual construction, output, revenue, employment and added value these resources have generated.

Accordingly, the city is moving from assigning qualitative tasks to defining specific output targets, and from handling individual administrative procedures separately to resolving obstacles in a coordinated manner for each project, business and growth driver.

What grounds does Hanoi have for pursuing its target of 11 percent growth for the full year?

In the final months of 2026, the key task is to convert existing resources into tangible growth results as quickly as possible.

The city is focusing on three areas. First, it will accelerate public investment and key infrastructure projects.

Second, the city will make greater use of the special mechanisms under the Capital Law to unlock resources and attract social investment, prioritizing projects capable of generating construction activity, jobs and added value in the fourth quarter.

At the same time, the city will support production, stimulate consumption, promote tourism and develop the night-time economy during the year-end peak season.

Thanh Hue