Hanoi’s Urban Development Ambitions by 2045

Hanoi has announced an ambitious plan to construct three new urban areas by the year 2045 as part of its extensive development strategy. The new northern city will highlight the Dong Anh district, with the western city focused around Hòa Lạc and Xuan Mai, and the southern city emerging in Phu Xuyen and Thuong Tin.

This urban development initiative was detailed in a program presented by the Hanoi People’s Committee during a special session of the People’s Council in late September 2024. The goal is to raise the city’s urbanization rate from the current 49.1% to between 55-65% by 2030, and further to 60-70% by 2035.

The plan includes the development of 16 urban districts, which will consist of the existing 12 districts and the addition of Hoài Đức, Gia Lâm, Dong Anh, and Thanh Trì, which will transition into urban areas. To comply with the overall planning of the capital, the program stresses the need for administrative revisions and the establishment of new districts, while also taking public opinion into account.

Alongside the creation of these cities, the program targets quality improvements across all 16 urban districts, aiming for them to meet the standards of special-class cities as outlined in the Capital City Law. Additionally, Sơn Tây is set to be recognized as a class-III city under Hanoi’s administration.

The proposed northern city will be anchored by Dong Anh, whereas urban advancement in Hòa Lạc and Xuan Mai will characterize the western city, with significant investments expected in the southern area of Phu Xuyen and Thuong Tin.

Aiming for high urban density, the plan envisions that districts will house over 3,000 residents per square kilometer, with projections indicating that by 2035, inner-city densities will rise to about 12,000 residents per square kilometer. The average living space is expected to increase to roughly 28 square meters per person in the city center, particularly through renovations of older apartment complexes and the expansion of social housing initiatives.

The long-term vision for Hanoi also includes a transition from personal vehicles to low-emission public transport to mitigate traffic congestion and lower carbon footprints. Significant investments in public transportation infrastructure are also planned to support this shift.

By the year 2035, the city anticipates that the average income per capita will rise to 1.4 times the national average.