Hanoi’s master plan targets per capita GRDP of US$46,000 by 2050

Covering an area of 3,359.84 sq.km, the plan aims to transform Hanoi into a civilised and modern capital of time-honoured culture in borth short and long terms with "new opportunities and new values", helping the country herald a new era – that of the nation’s rise.

The plan's core viewpoint is that people is the centre of development, and Hanoi is envisioned to become a globally connected, urbane, and courteous city with harmonious development, peace and prosperity, an enabling administration, dedicated businesses, confident society, and happy people.

Five overarching development perspectives are outlined, including aligning Hanoi’s development with the national socio-economic strategy, the national master plan, and the Red River Delta regional plan.

By 2030, Hanoi aspires to become a civilised and modern capital of time-honoured culture which is green, smart, and globally integrated, serves as a hub of cultural heritage, has high competitiveness with a development level on par with other capitals in the region. It looks to turn into a development driver for the Red River Delta, a growth powerhouse of the country, a large economic and financial centre, a leading centre of education - training, health, science - technology and innovation, and also a peaceful city with happy people.

By 2050, the city is envisioned as a global city that is green, smart, peaceful, and prosperous, symbolising a powerful and prosperous Vietnam. The capital will exemplify economic, cultural, and social development of the country, have its development level comparable with that of developed countries' capital, and serve as a destination worth living, working, and dedication. Besides, local residents will have high life quality, according to the plan.

The plans sets some major tasks for the city, comprising environmental protection, urban and rural development, economic growth, cultural and social development, and advances in science, technology, and innovation. It highlights four key breakthroughs, including strengthening institutional frameworks and governance, modernising and connecting infrastructure, fostering high-quality human resources and technological capabilities, and improving urban and environmental landscapes.

Particularly, the plan sketchs out five development spaces, five economic corridors and belts for the capital, five dynamic development axes, five socio-economic zones, and five urban zones for organising socio-economic activities.

The five development spaces include the elevated space, underground space, public space, cultural-creative space, and digital space. Economic corridors and belts will take shape on the basis of those specified in the national master plan. Meanwhile, dynamic development axes include the Red River, West Lake - Co Loa, Nhat Tan - Noi Bai, West Lake - Ba Vi, and the southern axis.

The five socio-economic zones are the central zone (comprising historical inner-city areas, central urban zones, and expanded ones south of the Red River), the eastern zone, the southern zone, the western zone, and the northern zone. The identified urban zones include the central urban zone, the western city zone, the northern city zone, the southern urban zone, and the Son Tay - Ba Vi urban zone.

The plan targets that urban space development is cloely connected with underground space utilisation for efficient land use while protecting the environment and ensuring national security and defence. Applying the transit-oriented development (TOD) model in the areas housing railway stations will expand development spaces, creating a convenient, modern living environment with synchronised service infrastructure.

It also includes measures to mobilise investment capital, develop human resources, protect the environment, promote science and technology, foster policy mechanisms for regional collaboration, and enhance urban and rural management and development.