In a recent report to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Construction, the committee affirmed that the Ba Dinh area is the country’s political and administrative nerve centre at present and will remain so in the future. It must be defined as the location of the headquarters of the Party, National Assembly and Government organisations.

The committee said it is necessary to continue planning and construction works in the Ba Dinh area and its vicinity to make it complete and to preserve its historical value.

Besides key organs, the area is home to Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh read the declaration proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam) on September 2, 1945.

In its report, the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee explained that Ba Vi does not meet necessary criteria for a new national administration centre. It said construction of such a centre requires large amounts of investment to be poured into technical infrastructure so that it can be linked to Ba Dinh and other regions across the country. The costly plan does not suit the country’s economic situation at present.

The committee suggested that the western part of West Lake and the vicinity of the National Convention Centre in My Dinh be suitable places for the new headquarters of several ministries and government organisations. The two venues meet the necessary criteria, including land funds, for developing modern projects connecting Government organisations and the political centre in Ba Dinh.

Together with relocating these agencies, the city also suggested upgrading the existing infrastructure in the downtown area and particularly in Ba Dinh.

Hanoi is finalising its master plan for 2030 and a vision for 2050.