Brian Jeffrey
The availability of public school slots is dwindling as demand surges, with land set aside for educational purposes proving insufficient. Inaccurate population predictions, outdated planning methods, and numerous neglected real estate initiatives have transformed the pursuit of a public high school spot in Hanoi into a rigorous competition among students.
In recent times, the admission rate to public high schools in Hanoi has barely surpassed 60%. The process of securing a place in a public school in the capital has turned into a high-pressure rivalry for both students and their parents. This enduring challenge arises from a public education system that does not meet the growing demand. VietNamNet has initiated a focused series examining this pressing issue and exploring potential resolutions, especially in the context of ongoing administrative reforms and the availability of surplus public properties due to local government consolidations.
After reports indicated that nearly 30,000 students in Hanoi are without public high school placements and analyzed the contributing factors—rising student populations but limited new public institutions—VietNamNet received substantial responses from experts and readers. Below is a commentary by architect Tran Huy Anh, a Standing Member of the Hanoi Association of Architects.
Land Shortages for Schools Linked to Initial Educational Planning
On May 23, 2002, Hanoi set up the Department of Planning and Architecture, derived from the previous Office of the Chief Architect. The inaugural director, Dao Ngoc Nghiem, announced land-use strategies for 14 districts.
In 2003, the Institute of Construction Planning, along with the Department of Planning and Architecture, introduced the “Hanoi Capital School Network Plan to 2010 with a Vision to 2020,” which received approval from the City People’s Committee. However, this initiative vastly underestimated population growth, resulting in inadequate land allocation for schools. Consequently, excess land was allocated to private developers, leading to uncontrolled real estate endeavors, many of which have remained dormant for years. Urban planning prioritized housing developments over educational institutions, exacerbating the shortage of schools and classrooms in Hanoi.
A survey conducted in Cau Giay District after five years of implementing the education network plan highlighted some alarming statistics: while the district spanned 1,200 hectares and its population grew from 90,000 in 1997 to 140,000 in 2001, the 2003 plan still relied on outdated figures of 90,000 residents. It projected a 2020 population of 150,000 and approximately 40,000 students, suggesting that 60 hectares of land for schools would suffice, allowing the remainder for residential, commercial, and hotel developments.
However, by 2008, Cau Giay’s population had surpassed 200,000, with nearly 50,000 students. The land allocation intended to last until 2020 was depleted much sooner than expected. Meanwhile, over 20 hectares of roadside land along Ring Road 3 were assigned to state-owned corporate headquarters, now largely unused.
This discrepancy is not exclusive to Cau Giay; other areas experience similar population forecast issues.
Outdated Planning Tools Worsen Hanoi’s Education Land Crisis
Despite Hanoi’s expansion of administrative boundaries and the release of the 2011 Capital Construction Master Plan (QH 1259), the land shortage for schools persists. Many peripheral districts are still without educational facilities, from kindergartens to high schools. This issue was inadequately addressed in the ten-year review of QH 1259 (2011–2021).
On August 4, 2023, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, in partnership with the Institute for Socio-Economic Development Studies, convened a forum to discuss educational development strategies and their integration into the Capital Planning Framework for 2021–2030, with a vision extending to 2050.
During the forum, then Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai emphasized that assessments of Hanoi’s education system must be accurate, objective, scientific, and innovative. All data should be refreshed to 2022 levels and compared with similar developed capitals to establish clear goals. Development scenario proposals need to be grounded in concrete analysis instead of vague assumptions.
Even with robust guidance from city officials, many planning documents are still drafted manually. While maps are designed using digital technology, they typically do not incorporate school data into a Geographic Information System (GIS). This oversight impedes land management, particularly in identifying areas suitable for educational use.
The core of the land shortage issue originates from the Department of Education and Training, which is tasked with assessing educational land requirements from preschool to high school, and the land management agencies responsible for designating public land for this purpose.
Effective school planning requires real-time population data and safe transportation networks, especially for children. Utilizing GIS would significantly enhance land allocation effectiveness. Since government entities have struggled with digital implementation, the city should explore enlisting tech companies to conduct GIS-based assessments, much like it has done with other digital initiatives.
Vietnam is currently undergoing substantial public sector reforms and administrative consolidation, which includes optimizing surplus public properties. This represents a prime opportunity to transform former government office locations into public schools—particularly for high school students—addressing present shortages and building a skilled workforce for Hanoi’s future.
Tran Huy Anh
Standing Member, Hanoi Association of Architects
