Hà Nội sets out to transform Red River landscape | Vietnam Today

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]In the focus of this hour, we turn our attention to Hanoi's bold plan to transform the Red River landscape. This is a 12-year mega project that was approved by the Hanoi People's Council on May 11th and estimated at around 29 billion US dollars. Definitely. And this very exciting and ambitious plan has quickly become one of the most talked about urban development stories and it's easy to see why.

[00:00:29]Covering over 11,400 hectares across 16 communes and wards of the capital, the Red River Scenic Boulevard project can easily be described as a mega project. And in Hanoi's 100-year vision, the Red River is identified as the backbone of the city's urban structure. So, what exactly is this project set to deliver?

[00:00:53]A first, stronger flood prevention through a modern hydrological management system.

[00:01:00]And second, better connectivity with two boulevards stretching more than 80 kilometers along both riverbanks, supported by new bridges, river crossing tunnels, and notably, waterway transport will also be promoted through tourism wharfs along the river.

[00:01:17]And this transport network would connect large-scale urban areas including around 3,000 hectares planned for urban renewal and resettlement, expected to accommodate up to about 1.2 million people.

[00:01:32]And the residents would benefit from improved living conditions as the project also promises more public space and greener landscapes with 11 connected parks covering about 3,300 hectares alongside restored wetlands and native riverbank ecosystems.

[00:01:49]And beyond the infrastructure, the project also proposes several new landmarks blending modern development with traditional values. And notable are the Long Bien Bridge Museum, a theme park preserving Nhat Tan's peach growing area, and Quang Ba's kumquat gardens, or new residential areas combined with craft-based parks in Bat Trang pottery village.

[00:02:12]And once completed, the Red River Scenic Boulevard is expected to become a major tourism destination, welcoming around 15 to 20 million visitors a year.

[00:02:24]And so, the vision is highly ambitious, but with that ambition also comes complexity. And a mega project of this scale will certainly affect communities, heritage, livelihoods, and the natural environment. And so, what must Hanoi do to get it right? And to further discuss this, we're joined by Dr. Thong Nguyen, senior planner and manager at A Japan Engineering Consultants in Tokyo, and a leading expert on Vietnam's public spaces. Welcome to Newsline, Doctor. So, the Red River project could reshape Hanoi for decades to come. So, what core principles should guide a mega project of this scale?

[00:03:09]Well, thanks for having me.

[00:03:11]The 11,000 hectare Red River corridor is far more than urban renewal or real estate mega projects. It is a strategic restructuring of Hanoi for the 21st centuries. That means it must follow an adaptive framework that puts climate resilience, flood safety, social well-being above short-term commercial gains.

[00:03:31]I believe the project should rest on three pillars. First, green ecological infrastructures, using sponge city solutions, natural flood plains, soft embankment instead of heavy concreting. Second, quality waterfront public spaces that support daily life and well-being.

[00:03:51]And third, [clears throat] social equity, ensuring safe housing and livelihoods from the start.

[00:03:56]If any pillar is missing, Hanoi risks long-term problems that future generation may struggle to reserve as quick profits could cost the city its safety, identity, and future competitiveness.

[00:04:10]And so, from your extensive experience working in Japan and on Asian megacities, what lessons are most relevant for this project?

[00:04:23]I think Hanoi should adapt a smart hybrid model, both development inspired by Seoul, but grounded in Tokyo's discipline in managing water. Seoul showed the power of urban transformation, turning the Han River into vibrant center of public life, economic growth, and modern landscapes.

[00:04:42]But it also offers a warning. Relying too heavily on hard infrastructures and trying to overpower nature creates a serious risk, as seen in 2022 floods.

[00:04:55]Tokyo follows a different philosophy, co-living with water. So, through layers, flood defenses, careful controls, and long-term planning, it treats flood risk as a constant reality.

[00:05:08]So, the goal is not to copy either model, but to adapt their best lesson to the Red River's unique condition.

[00:05:16]Hanoi can pursue Seoul's dynamic but it must protect natural flood zones and ecological balance with Tokyo's tight disciplines, I think.

[00:05:29]And so, how can Hanoi ensure riverside communities are shielded from the negative impacts and are able to benefit from the project?

[00:05:43]Around 200,000 riverside residents and their homes are certainly not just out on a map. They are living communities and livelihood networks built over generations. Hanoi must move beyond simply clearance toward inclusive regeneration, not mass relocation, but a smart tiered approach. So, high-risk areas should be relocated based on clear flood data, while safer zones can be upgraded and restructured in place.

[00:06:14]Traditional villages like Bat Trang and Yen Tan should be treated as strategic cultural and economic assets.

[00:06:21]Most importantly, resettlement can't simply mean moving people into suburban apartment blocks.

[00:06:28]It must protect livelihoods and social networks as a whole. Residents should become real partners in planning and share the benefits of developments.

[00:06:39]So, true success is modernizing the Red River without losing a sort of soul and cultural identity.

[00:06:50]Thank you, doctor, for sharing with us your insights.