Vinh Hung's strategic location near the Red River makes it a priority for Hanoi's urban redevelopment, as traffic congestion, flooding and shortages of schools and green spaces worsen.
The proposed redevelopment of Vinh Hung Ward in Hanoi has attracted considerable public attention, particularly among local residents concerned about its impact on their neighborhoods.
At a seminar titled "Vinh Hung Urban Redevelopment: From Planning to Improving Residents' Quality of Life," organized by Thanh Nien newspaper, Vinh Hung Ward People's Committee Vice Chairman Ngo Manh Cuong said the project remains in the research and planning stage.
Local authorities are collecting public feedback on a draft detailed plan at a scale of 1:500.
According to Cuong, the objective is not merely to create a new urban landmark for Hanoi but, more importantly, to improve residents' living conditions.
Even one stopped vehicle can trigger traffic congestion
Ngo Manh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Vinh Hung Ward People's Committee. Photo: TN
Following administrative restructuring, Vinh Hung Ward covers 4.47 square kilometers and has approximately 80,000 residents. It lies about four kilometers from Hoan Kiem Lake.
The ward forms part of Hanoi's expanded inner-city area, connecting the urban center with development corridors to the south and southeast.
However, fragmented urban development has left the area with serious infrastructure deficiencies.
Many alleys are only three to four meters wide and lack sidewalks, while major roads are already operating beyond their capacity.
Cuong said several roads passing through residential neighborhoods have a maximum existing width of approximately 7.5 meters. In some locations, two cars traveling in opposite directions must stop to allow each other to pass.
"Just one vehicle stopping or parking, or even a minor incident on the road, can immediately cause traffic congestion," Cuong said.
Such congestion occurs even outside peak hours.
Narrow alleys also make it difficult for fire engines to reach buildings during emergencies, while the shortage of parking facilities has failed to meet residents' needs.
Transport is not the only problem.
Vinh Hung lacks sufficient parks and green spaces, schools are scattered across the area, and informal markets contribute to environmental pollution.
Drainage canals and water management infrastructure have not been systematically planned. In some locations, just 30 minutes of heavy rainfall can cause severe flooding, making roads impassable.
To address these problems, the proposed renovation of older residential neighborhoods includes widening alleys and roads to between seven and 13.5 meters.
The plan also calls for underground water supply infrastructure and cables, along with additional fire hydrants in narrow alleys.
Parking facilities and community cultural centers would be reorganized or expanded according to population needs, while more land would be allocated for greenery, playgrounds and public spaces.
In areas designated for comprehensive redevelopment, the transport network would be rebuilt.
According to planning information presented by Cuong, some proposed roads would have widths of 21.5 meters, 30 meters and 40 meters.
Investors are also studying proposals to widen additional roads to accommodate long-term demand.
Resettlement housing must come before land acquisition
Alongside transport improvements, the redevelopment proposal prioritizes land for public facilities, services and commercial activities.
Investors are examining plans for commercial housing, social housing and resettlement accommodation.
Cuong emphasized that resettlement housing must be built before land clearance begins.
Sites for these developments should be identified early, with construction of resettlement and social housing starting during the project's initial phase.
The restructuring of urban space is also intended to improve connections with surrounding areas.
Cuong said the planning framework includes the proposed Cu Khoi Bridge, which would connect Vinh Hung with Long Bien and help ease traffic pressure on Vinh Tuy and Thanh Tri bridges.
Commenting on the proposal, Dr. Dao Ngoc Nghiem, an architect and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, identified land clearance and resettlement as critical challenges.
Dr. Dao Ngoc Nghiem, architect and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association. Photo: Thanh Nien
He recommended prioritizing on-site resettlement, providing diverse housing options and introducing appropriate policies to protect residents' legitimate interests.
According to Nghiem, Hanoi's decision to prioritize Vinh Hung for redevelopment reflects the ward's strategic position in the capital's new development orientation and the Red River landscape planning framework.
However, he warned that the proposed population increase and infrastructure capacity require careful assessment.
The plan envisages Vinh Hung's population rising from approximately 80,000 to 190,000.
Meanwhile, the proposed allocation of around 28 square meters of urban residential construction land per person is relatively low compared with the area's previous pattern of spacious garden houses.
Nghiem therefore recommended a more diversified housing structure, combining social housing, high-rise apartment buildings, terraced houses and suitable proportions of garden homes.
Such an approach would help accommodate different residential needs and build public consensus.
Education infrastructure is another major concern.
Although the draft plan allocates more than 30 hectares to schools, Nghiem suggested increasing this figure to nearly 40 hectares and developing modern schools covering multiple educational levels.
He also called for greater attention to land reserved for cultural facilities.
Taking advantage of Vinh Hung's location beside the Red River, Nghiem proposed creating an open green corridor connecting the riverfront with neighborhoods further inland.
This continuous network of green spaces should be incorporated into the planning process from the outset, he said.
For underground transport infrastructure, he stressed the importance of carefully assessing geological and hydrological conditions before making investment decisions.
Vinh Hung Ward authorities said residents' feedback would be considered in refining the redevelopment plan.
The overarching objective is to develop technical and social infrastructure in a coordinated manner, expand green spaces and public facilities, and ensure that the redeveloped urban area can meet residents' long-term living needs.
Vietnamnet.vn
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