The Deo Ca - Van Phu consortium recently reported preliminary findings on the Red River Boulevard - Landscape Project after over two months of research. The project includes an 80km boulevard along both banks of the river, from Hong Ha Bridge to Me So Bridge, with 67km of elevated bridges, 10km of tunnels, and six lanes running along the river.

Additionally, there is an 84km urban monorail, with 82km of elevated tracks and 2km of tunnels. The project also includes about 3,300ha of land for developing green spaces, eight parks, and public areas, transforming the riverside into a unique landscape highlight for tourism and services.

The investor consortium proposed adjusting the Red River urban sub-zone planning and dividing it into three independent projects: a public investment project for land clearance by Hanoi People’s Committee; a Public Private Partnership (PPP) (BT contract) project for the Hong River Boulevard - Landscape; and a PPP (BT contract) project for the Red River monorail.

In June, Hanoi People’s Committee approved the proposal to study the boulevard and riverside landscape project along the Red River under the PPP model by the Deo Ca‑Van Phu consortium.

Flood drainage impact not thoroughly assessed

Architect Tran Huy Anh, a standing member of the Hanoi Architects’ Association, told VietNamNet that the legal suitability of the Deo Ca - Van Phu consortium’s proposals must be examined, as the project directly affects the flood drainage corridor of the Red River section passing through the capital city.

According to the planning, the Red River urban sub-zone primarily serves as a flood drainage space. The section through the central urban area was defined in the Hanoi Capital General Planning to 2030, with a vision to 2050.

“The planning in the flood drainage space, from the grade 1 dyke (left bank) to the special-grade dyke (right bank), follows these principles: no raising of existing inner dykes, no construction of new inner dykes, no reduction of flood drainage space, no proposal for new dykes within the old dyke scope, and no changes to the flood prevention goals and standards of the river system as per the PM’s Decision 257 dated February 18, 2016,” he said.

“Thus, structures like bridges or roads built within the old dyke scope must not be raised, must not create new inner dyke terrain, and must not reduce flood drainage space. The new proposals have not clarified how the total volume of architectural structures will impact the river’s primary function of flood drainage.”

He cited the Hanoi Capital Planning for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the PM in 2024, which says: “Study and build weirs on the Red and Duong rivers under the disaster prevention and irrigation planning to raise water levels during the dry season, create scenic spaces, revive the rivers, and provide a stable water supply for the capital’s socio-economic development and regional production.”

He argued that planning the Red River’s banks requires both “wisdom” and “responsibility” to comprehensively study the river’s “damages” over the past and next 25 years, including flood or drought risks, surface and groundwater pollution, and how to address these challenges.

“When investors have vision and take responsibility, Hanoi can aim for a sustainable, secure future. The future of the Red River is the livelihood of about 30 million people in its basin,” he said.

“After all, the most beautiful Red River landscape is a river full of clean water with a gentle flow,” Anh said.

In related news, on the occasion of the Capital City Liberation Anniversary (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2025), Hanoi plans to commence eight key projects, including two bridges over the Hong River, one urban railway line, and the Pearl Theater.

Under the instructions of Hanoi Vice Mayor Duong Duc Tuan, the projects to be kicked off on the occasion, on October 5-10, include:

Le Hong Phong training school.

Hanoi Kidney Hospital (2nd facility).

Pearl Theater and Themed Cultural‑art Park.

Project Metro Line 2 section Nam Thang Long - Tran Hung Dao will start. Also detailed planning for station C9, route from station C8 to C10, and implementation of compensation, support, resettlement and clearance for the East Square‑Park project of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Component project 2 – building Tran Hung Dao Bridge.

Underpass at Co Linh intersection.

Thuong Cat Bridge and its connecting roads at both ends.

Parks along both sides of To Lich River.

N. Huyen