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For nearly 40 years, Hà Nội’s urban plans have repeatedly featured the dream of building a “city on both banks of the Red River (Sông Hồng).” While this vision offers hopes for a new metropolitan landscape, it also raises concerns among residents living along the river.

Over the years, officials have put forward a series of proposals of varying scales. These initiatives include the 1996 “Red River Regulation Project” proposed by a Singaporean investor, the 2004 Việt Nam–Japan HAIDEP planning program, and a 2006 joint Hà Nội–Seoul vision for a “river city.”

Despite multiple launches and revisions, prolonged periods of inactivity left most of these plans stalled due to challenges with urban planning, flood-control corridors, financing, and implementation mechanisms.

Today, the dream has reemerged as the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project, which is considered one of the capital's nine strategic development corridors.

July 26, 2011

By signing Decision No. 1259 , then-Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng approved the “Master Plan for the Construction of Hà Nội Capital to 2030, with a Vision to 2050.”

This document identified the area along both banks of the Red River as the “central landscape and spatial axis of the Capital” and envisioned it hosting parks, as well as large-scale cultural and entertainment facilities for major events in Hà Nội. [1]

Despite these grand intentions, the plan remained largely on paper until 2022.

The Hồng River development master plan’s rendering of the northern section of the Red River, jointly prepared by Seoul and Hà Nội in 2007.

March 24, 2022

More than a decade later, Hà Nội authorities advanced another major redevelopment initiative for the Red River.

On March 24, 2022, the Hà Nội People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1045, which approved the 1:5,000-scale Red River Urban Subdivision Plan. Stretching approximately 40 kilometers from Hồng Hà Bridge to Mễ Sở Bridge, the plan covers nearly 11,000 hectares across 55 former wards and communes within 13 former districts: Hoàn Kiếm, Ba Đình, Tây Hồ, Bắc Từ Liêm, Hai Bà Trưng, Hoàng Mai, Long Biên, Đan Phượng, Mê Linh, Đông Anh, Gia Lâm, Thường Tín, and Thanh Trì. [2]

Beyond flood prevention and control functions, Decision No. 1045 envisioned the zone as a “distinctive green and waterfront spatial corridor” to serve as the dominant landscape feature of the city, hosting parks, cultural venues, tourism services, and iconic entertainment landmarks.

Under the approved plan, the subdivision stretches approximately 40 kilometers from Hồng Hà Bridge to Mễ Sở Bridge. In addition to flood prevention and control functions, Decision No. 1045 envisioned the area as a “distinctive green and waterfront spatial corridor” serving as the dominant landscape feature of the central city. The area would host public facilities, parks, cultural venues, tourism services, and entertainment landmarks symbolizing the capital.

March 25, 2022

The following day at a related forum, Phạm Thị Nhâm from the National Institute for Urban and Rural Planning reflected on past efforts. She recalled how, more than a decade prior, Hà Nội collaborated with South Korean consultants on a development model inspired by Seoul’s Han River, aiming to create a “Red River miracle.” She pointed out, however, that large-scale urban development along both banks was not feasible at that time. [3] [4]

Nhâm emphasized that urban planning must adhere to the principles of “respecting nature and respecting the flow of the Red River.” She advocated for limiting concrete construction and major infrastructure projects, proposing instead a connected chain of parks, gardens, and green waterfront spaces. Pedestrian and cycling routes would link these areas with open plazas and community spaces intended for cultural activities, festivals, and international events in the capital.

April 4, 2022

Issuing Decision No. 1138 , the Hà Nội People’s Committee designated the Hà Nội Institute for Socio-Economic Development Studies to lead the preparation of the Hà Nội Capital Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050. [5]

The decision formally required the institute to collaborate with the Department of Planning and Investment, the Department of Planning and Architecture, the Hà Nội Institute for Construction Planning, and various local governments to draft the capital’s master plan. This comprehensive effort was mandated to align directly with the guidelines approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 313/QĐ-TTg on March 7, 2022.

Nguyễn Ngọc Kỳ, director of the Hà Nội Institute for Socio-Economic Development Studies, at a planning seminar in 2022. Source: Hànộimới Newspaper.

May 5, 2022

On behalf of the Politburo, then-General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng signed Resolution No. 15 in May 2022. This document officially identified the Red River as Hà Nội’s “green axis, central landscape corridor, and a foundation for harmonious urban development on both riverbanks.” [6]

To achieve this vision, the resolution's key directives required authorities to completely revise the capital’s master plan, ensuring the river becomes a prominent green centerpiece that promotes balanced urban growth on both of its banks.

July 3, 2023

Over a year later, former National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ urged Hà Nội to prioritize and rapidly execute the established planning orientations for the Red River. [7]

Emphasizing the urgency, Huệ stated :

“We have spent a great deal of time on this issue, for decades in fact, especially with efforts made in recent years. If we cannot resolve this issue, it will be very difficult to develop a modern Hà Nội worthy of its status. If we want a Red River miracle, the subdivision plans must be implemented quickly. The city must develop along both riverbanks.” [8]

Huệ had expressed similar frustrations previously during his tenure as Secretary of the Hà Nội Party Committee, remarking :

“Looking down from an airplane or viewing the riverbanks from a train, seeing both sides of the Red River as they are today, how can the capital develop?” [9]

He argued that the absence of a finalized subdivision plan hindered the city from maximizing its resources, insisting that Hà Nội must complete these frameworks immediately, with a specific focus on the Red River corridor.

National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ speaking in 2023 about the need to realize Red River development plans. Source: Hà Nội People’s Council.

July 21, 2023

Later that month, Hà Nội People’s Committee Chairman Trần Sỹ Thanh chaired a conference focused on preparing the Hà Nội Capital Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050. [10]

In his concluding remarks, Thanh highlighted a “golden” opportunity for the city, noting that Hà Nội was simultaneously drafting and revising two major planning documents alongside the finalization of the amended Capital Law.

Thanh stated:

“This is a rare opportunity for each of us to contribute to Hà Nội through the development and completion of a trio of institutions that will have a long-term impact and shape the future development of the Capital.”

Hà Nội People’s Committee Chairman Trần Sỹ Thanh chairs a planning conference in 2023. Photo: Trần Hằng–Hữu Hoài/Hà Nội Party Committee.

February 23, 2024

Presiding over a formal meeting , Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyễn Chí Dũng—who also serves as a member of the Communist Party Central Committee and chairman of the Provincial Planning Appraisal Council—appraised the Hà Nội Capital Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050. [11]

March 27, 2024

In a formal report , the Party Committee of the Hà Nội People’s Committee affirmed the city's commitment to studying and refining plans that develop the Red River into a “green axis” and “central landscape corridor.”

This approach aims to promote balanced urban growth on both riverbanks. Furthermore, the report identified this strategy as a vital development driver for the capital in the near future, aligning with broader plans for river-oriented urban development.

March 29, 2024

The Hà Nội People’s Council approved a resolution on the “Hà Nội Capital Plan for 2021–2030, with a Vision to 2050,” with 92.55% of attending delegates voting in favor. The resolution specifically called for a more defined development strategy for the Red River corridor, directly aligning with Politburo Resolution No. 15. [12]

Detailing the extensive planning process, the city government reported organizing over 100 workshops, conferences, and working sessions. This rigorous schedule featured more than 20 direct meetings with agencies and district authorities, alongside over 30 scientific seminars and roundtables.

Delegates of the Hà Nội People’s Council vote on the city’s planning resolution in 2023. Photo: Phạm Linh–Lê Hải/HNP.

December 12, 2024

By signing Decision No. 1569 , then-Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính officially approved the “Hà Nội Capital Plan for 2021–2030, with a Vision to 2050.” [13]

This plan directs Hà Nội to develop and utilize five major spatial zones. Crucially, it designates the Red River as the capital’s “green axis” and “central landscape corridor,” establishing it as a vital cultural heritage, tourism, and service corridor that links the Capital Region with the Red River Delta.

June 13, 2025

The Hà Nội People’s Committee issued Document No. 8843 , approving a consortium between Đèo Cả Group and Văn Phú Invest to invest in the Red River Boulevard–Landscape Project. [14]

August 12, 2025

During the Việt Nam–South Korea Economic Forum, Prime Minister Kim Min Seok stated that South Korea wished to expand comprehensive cooperation with Việt Nam. He shared South Korea’s experience in creating the “Miracle of the Han River,” while pledging to support Việt Nam in achieving a “Miracle of the Red River.” [15]

General Secretary Tô Lâm speaks at the Việt Nam–South Korea Economic Forum in Seoul in 2025. Source: Vietnam News Agency.

August 19, 2025

Signaling its desire to contribute its expertise to the initiative, MIK Group submitted Document No. 159-1/2025 to express its intention to help prepare proposals for the Red River Boulevard Landscape Project. [16]

The company emphasized in its submission that it would collaborate closely with consortium partners and was “ready to mobilize maximum financial resources, personnel, and experience” for the project's implementation.

Concurrently, Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) dispatched Document No. 172/2025 to the Hà Nội People’s Committee, formally proposing to act as the lead arranger for financing once the project moves forward. [17]

August 20, 2025

City authorities received a preliminary research report on the project from the Đèo Cả Group–Văn Phú Invest consortium. [18]

The proposal outlines an estimated investment of 300 trillion đồng (roughly $11.5 billion at current exchange rates) to construct an approximately 80-kilometer boulevard along both banks of the Red River, stretching from Hồng Hà Bridge to Mễ Sở Bridge.

Infrastructure plans for the boulevard detail six traffic lanes spanning roughly 67 kilometers of elevated roadway and 10 kilometers of tunnels. Running parallel will be an 84-kilometer monorail line, comprising about 82 kilometers of elevated track and 2 kilometers of underground routes. To boost tourism and services, the project dedicates approximately 3,300 hectares to green space, which includes eight parks and various public areas designed to forge a signature riverside landscape.

To execute the vision, the consortium suggested revising the Red River urban subdivision plan and splitting the endeavor into three distinct components. These include a publicly funded land-clearance operation overseen by the Hà Nội People’s Committee, a build-transfer (BT) public-private partnership (PPP) for the boulevard and landscape, and a separate BT-type PPP specifically for the monorail system.

August 23, 2025

Đèo Cả Group and China Railway Design Corporation officially agreed to pursue a joint venture and broaden their cross-sector collaboration during a recent signing ceremony. [19]

Representing Đèo Cả Group, Vice Chairwoman Lê Quỳnh Mai highlighted several prospective joint initiatives, notably the Red River boulevard and riverside landscape project.

Company representatives explained that the sheer scale of the endeavor demands rapid implementation, which drove Đèo Cả to enlist China Railway Design Corporation for personnel support and optimized design solutions.

Hồ Minh Hoàng, chairman of Đèo Cả Group, during a meeting with a Chinese company. Source: Đèo Cả. Group.

November 17, 2025

Issuing Notice No. 626 , the Government Office conveyed the Standing Government's official conclusions regarding the implementation of Hà Nội's Red River Scenic Boulevard Construction Investment Project. [20]

The notice confirmed that the project aligns with the capital’s strategic development orientation and has secured approval for further study from Communist Party General Secretary Tô Lâm. [21]

Highlighting its “important significance” for Hà Nội, the Red River Delta, and the entire nation, the document positioned the initiative as a crucial step toward achieving a “Red River Miracle.” Furthermore, it is designed to support the city's ambitious goal of reaching 11% economic growth between 2026 and 2030.

To drive this forward, the Standing Government established a strict timeline: breaking ground on Dec. 19, 2025, and completing construction by Feb. 3, 2030, to proudly coincide with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Việt Nam.

***

A consortium consisting of Đèo Cả Group, Văn Phú Company, MIK Group, and Đại Quang Minh Company submitted a proposal to develop the project across approximately 11,000 hectares of land. [22]

Within this expansive area, the Red River Scenic Boulevard corridor would occupy roughly 7,800 hectares and stretch across 16 wards and communes: Thượng Cát, Đông Ngạc, Phú Thượng, Hồng Hà, Lĩnh Nam, Bồ Đề, Long Biên, Ô Diên, Thanh Trì, Nam Phù, Hồng Vân, Mê Linh, Thiên Lộc, Vĩnh Thanh, Đông Anh, and Bát Tràng.

To fund what was described as “the largest infrastructure investment project in Hà Nội to date,” the consortium proposed a total investment of approximately 338 trillion đồng. This initiative would be executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model utilizing a build-transfer (BT) contract structure.

December 14, 2025

The Hà Nội People’s Council formally approved the investment policy for the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project by issuing Resolution No. 498 , citing a preliminary total investment of approximately 855 trillion đồng. [23]

The resolution outlines a vast study area of roughly 11,000 hectares. This encompasses an 80-kilometer boulevard, approximately 3,300 hectares of parks and recreational zones, and around 2,100 hectares earmarked for land clearance and urban redevelopment.

Tracing the Red River from Hồng Hà Bridge to Mễ Sở Bridge, the planned boulevard will intersect 19 wards and communes across Hà Nội.

The right bank’s route will navigate 12 wards and communes, such as Ô Diên, Thượng Cát, Đông Ngạc, Phú Thượng, Hồng Hà, Hoàng Mai, and Thanh Trì. Conversely, the left bank’s segment will traverse seven wards and communes, including Mê Linh, Đông Anh, Long Biên, and Bát Tràng.

Addressing the impact of land clearance, the Hà Nội People’s Council directed the Hà Nội People’s Committee to establish vocational training and job transition policies for displaced residents.

Furthermore, the city must mandate the early construction of centralized resettlement areas within its investor agreements to guarantee housing alongside synchronized technical and social infrastructure.

Finally, the resolution strictly bound authorities to “strictly control” all compensation, assistance, and resettlement costs to ensure they deliver “timely payments” to those impacted by the acquisitions.

The Hà Nội People’s Council issues Resolution No. 498, approving a projected investment of approximately 855 trillion đồng for the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project. Source: HNP.

December 17, 2025

The Hà Nội People’s Committee formalized the selection of investors for the Red River Scenic Boulevard Construction Investment Project by issuing Decision No. 6281 . The project will operate under a public-private partnership (PPP) model utilizing a build-transfer (BT) contract structure. [24]

The newly approved consortium includes Đại Quang Minh Real Estate Company, Văn Phú – Giảng Võ Investment One Member Company Limited, MIK Group Việt Nam, Trường Hải Company (THACO), T&T Group, and Hòa Phát Group.

With Đại Quang Minh Real Estate Company Chairman Trần Đăng Khoa appointed as the consortium's representative, the group's total equity contribution is set at over 232.138 trillion đồng (roughly $8.9 billion at current exchange rates).

***

That same day, Đèo Cả Group formally notified the Hà Nội People’s Committee of its withdrawal from the investor consortium for the next phase of the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project. [25]

This sudden exit occurred just days before the scheduled groundbreaking.

Addressing the departure, Đèo Cả Group Chairman Hồ Minh Hoàng stated in the official document and to the press that the decision did not mean the company was “afraid of difficulties.” Instead, it was driven by their strategic principle of “choosing the right role, the right work, and the right responsibility.”

Hoàng explained that varying corporate strategies and strengths dictate that an insurmountable challenge for one firm might be manageable for another. He stressed that massive infrastructure projects demand a sensible division of responsibilities across different development stages, explicitly advising against staying involved “at all costs.”

Furthermore, he emphasized to the media that the ultimate goal in transportation infrastructure is ensuring sustainable, stable operations, not just participating in every single phase of construction.

***

Reviewing Decision No. 6281, lawyer Nguyễn Đỉnh pointed out that authorities selected the project's investors utilizing the “investor selection in special circumstances” mechanism, a provision created by National Assembly Resolution No. 258/2025 for piloting special mechanisms in the Capital. [26]

Đỉnh noted that to accelerate the timeline, authorities bypassed standard procedures, selecting investors before securing formal approval for the investment policy or the project itself. He colorfully described this expedited approach as “having a child before creating the father.”

Providing a broader geopolitical context, Dr. Lê Hồng Hiệp , a Southeast Asia scholar at Singapore's ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, noted that these accelerated maneuvers indicate the move is not merely a cautious experiment. Rather, he argued it represents a broader and more systematic policy shift by Vietnamese authorities. [27]

December 19, 2025

The Red River Scenic Boulevard Construction Investment Project officially broke ground on the morning of Dec. 19 in Phú Thượng Ward, Hà Nội, led by a consortium comprising Đại Quang Minh, Văn Phú, MIK Group, THACO, T&T Group, and Hòa Phát Group. [28]

This event was part of a broader national initiative celebrating the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which saw 234 major projects simultaneously launched, inaugurated, or opened for technical traffic across 34 provinces and cities.

Notable attendees included Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn, alongside former Politburo member and former Hà Nội Party Secretary Phạm Quang Nghị.

National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn (left) and Hà Nội People’s Committee Chairman Vũ Đại Thắng (right) present a decision document to Trần Đăng Khoa, chairman of Đại Quang Minh. Photo: Lê Hải/VNP.

December 25, 2025

Shortly after the groundbreaking, MIK Group formally notified the Hà Nội People’s Committee on Dec. 25 of its decision to withdraw from the investor consortium managing the central capital section of the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project. [29]

In its official correspondence, MIK Group explained its exit by noting that the consortium already retained major Vietnamese corporations possessing “strong financial capacity and experience implementing large projects nationwide.” To reassure stakeholders, the company emphasized that “MIK Group’s withdrawal from the investor consortium will not affect the project’s progress or quality.”

April 22, 2026

During the state visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Việt Nam on April 22, Hà Nội People’s Committee Chairman Vũ Đại Thắng held a meeting with Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong Bin. [30]

Thắng utilized the meeting to highlight that Hà Nội is advancing a new development phase to become increasingly “civilized and modern.” He specifically noted that the city has designated the Red River Scenic Boulevard as a premier symbol of this new era, deeply integrating it with broader urbanization efforts, infrastructure upgrades, and aesthetic improvements across the capital.

Hà Nội People’s Committee Chairman Vũ Đại Thắng (right) meets with the chairman of Lotte Group. Photo: Lê Hải/HNP.

April 23, 2026

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng on April 23, affirming Seoul’s commitment to being a trusted partner in Việt Nam’s economic development and long-term growth. [31]

President Lee proposed deeper strategic cooperation in new growth sectors—such as nuclear power, transportation infrastructure, and energy—suggesting that this partnership could catalyze a new “Red River Miracle” for Việt Nam.

He further expressed hope that South Korea’s own “Miracle on the Han River” could offer valuable experiential lessons to support Việt Nam’s ambition of becoming a high-income developed nation by 2045.

Rendering of the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project released in 2026.

Early May 2026

The precise timing of when Văn Phú and T&T Group exited the investor consortium remains unclear. Yet, when the dossier for investment policy approval was submitted to the Hà Nội People’s Committee in April 2026 and made public in early May, both companies were notably absent from the investor list.

On May 5, a T&T Group representative speaking with Dân Trí confirmed the company’s withdrawal without citing a specific cause, while Văn Phú has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. [32]

May 5, 2026

On May 5, Document No. 597/VQH-TT1+KHTC, issued by the Hà Nội Institute for Construction Planning, began circulating on social media. This document reviewed the investor consortium’s second-round planning submission for the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project. [33]

The review highlighted that the April 14, 2026 dossier contained “certain differences” from both the approved planning mandate and the initial April 2 submission.

Most significantly, the revised proposal introduced unapproved river-management and flood-control measures that involved direct interventions in the river channel and riverbanks. The institute pointed out that the dossier remained incomplete, noting it “still lacks supporting calculations, analyses, and legally approved documentation” required to justify these new structural interventions.

Concurrently, the Standing Committee of the Hà Nội People’s Committee Party Committee submitted Report No. 446 to the Hà Nội Party Executive Committee, seeking guidance on the project's investment policy.

The Executive Committee formally approved the policy shortly after, on May 8, 2026. [34]

May 9, 2026

Hà Nội Vice Chairman Trương Việt Dũng signed Decision No. 2419 on May 9, 2026, officially approving the "Nighttime Economy Development Program for Hà Nội, 2026–2030, with a Vision to 2045.” [35]

A central initiative of this program is designating the Red River landscape corridor as the capital’s future hub for the cultural and creative night-time economy. The strategy envisions the Hà Nội Cultural Arts and Commercial Services Center—slated for completion by 2030—as an “iconic nighttime destination.” It will feature large-scale cultural infrastructure, artistic events, modern entertainment, and high-end commercial services.

Ultimately, the city aims for the Red River corridor to become a focal point for high-value cultural and commercial activities, positioning Hà Nội as a creative leader regionally and internationally.

May 10, 2026

The following day, the Hà Nội People’s Committee submitted Report No. 123 to request approval of the investment policy for the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project. [36]

Based on appraisals of the investor consortium's proposals, the report introduced several notable revisions to previously disclosed information. Importantly, the preliminary investment cost was revised to over 737 trillion đồng, dropping approximately 118 trillion đồng from the 855 trillion đồng figure announced at the December 2025 groundbreaking.

The project footprint was also scaled back, reducing the number of affected wards and communes from 19 to 16 by removing Vĩnh Tuy, Vĩnh Hưng, and Hoàng Mai.

The report outlined that the development will be divided into five overarching categories comprising 18 component projects, which include the scenic boulevard, parks, urban development land, water-surface zones, technical infrastructure, and other land reserves.

May 11, 2026

With unanimous support from attending delegates, the Hà Nội People’s Council approved the investment policy for the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project on the morning of May 11. [37]

Reflecting the recent revisions, the approved policy scales the project area down to 16 wards and communes instead of the 19 units authorized in late 2025. The preliminary investment is locked in at approximately 736.963 trillion đồng—about 118 trillion đồng lower than initial announcements—and the entire initiative will require roughly 11,418 hectares of land.

Demolition activities along the Red River dike area on May 20, 2026. Photo: Nhac Nguyen/AFP.

May 12, 2026

Public discourse regarding the project faced sudden constraints on May 12. The administrator of the Facebook group “Latest Red River Scenic Boulevard Project”—a community tracking land clearance, resettlement, and socio-economic impacts that grew to over 43,000 members by June 2, 2026—announced stricter keyword moderation.

Accompanied by a photo of the Vĩnh Hưng Ward Police Station in Hà Nội, the notice warned that the group would automatically reject content containing “sensitive language” to “protect the group from community standards violations” and “maintain a clean community.” [38] [39]

The banned keywords primarily targeted calls for protests or criticism of authorities, blocking terms such as “protest,” “land grabbing,” “land seizure,” “corruption,” “struggle,” “take to the streets,” and “mobilize the people.”

Replying in the comments, the administrator claimed he had been “invited to work with security officials and local police” concerning posts deemed “inciting” or “anti-state,” though this assertion remains independently unverified.

Concurrently, an open letter addressed to “the Party and the State” began circulating across various project-related Facebook groups. Purportedly authored by “people facing the risk of losing their homes, land, and villages,” the document raised acute concerns over implementation timelines, investor capacity, ballooning investment costs, land allocations, and relocation protocols. [40] These posts were eventually removed.

Signatories questioned the rushed pace of the boulevard project, pointing out that controversies from the earlier Thủ Thiêm project remain unresolved. They specifically highlighted that Đại Quang Minh, a consortium member linked to previous violations in Thủ Thiêm, was still permitted to participate in this massive Hà Nội initiative.

To address these grievances, the letter proposed multiple recommendations. These included suspending the project until a detailed 1:500-scale plan is finalized and publicized, compensating displaced residents at market rates, guaranteeing on-site resettlement, and utilizing open bidding.

Furthermore, the signatories demanded that the State Audit Office review all project costs and land allocations and urged the removal of commercial elements like golf courses, resorts, and luxury urban developments. These demands resonated across numerous community groups, with some posts accumulating over 100 shares by May 18.

May 19, 2026

Issuing a formal public statement regarding the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project, the Hà Nội People’s Committee outlined detailed figures and principles concerning the preparation of resettlement housing, alongside general implementation plans. [41]

The city acknowledged the immense scale and wide geographic footprint of the project, which directly impacts residents across numerous locations along the Red River. Addressing these disruptions, authorities pledged that all new housing arrangements would adhere strictly to the principle of being “equal to or better than current housing.”

The designated resettlement and urban redevelopment zones will be in Long Biên, Lĩnh Nam, and Bát Tràng.

To accommodate displaced citizens, the city expects to provide approximately 79,000 to 85,000 apartments and residential plots, encompassing both high-rise and low-rise units. Officials asserted that this housing supply would “basically meet the resettlement needs of households affected by the Red River Scenic Boulevard Project.”

This inventory is necessary to absorb a massive population; data compiled from localities within the clearance zone indicates that approximately 247,431 people, comprising around 70,474 households, currently reside within the project area.

Mid-May 2026

When Hà Nội authorities announced plans to gradually relocate residents and comprehensively replan all residential zones outside the dike system, public pushback was immediate.

Numerous social media campaigns and petitions emerged to oppose the complete clearance strategy, instead advocating for the preservation of established communities and fair compensation mechanisms.

Notably, residents of Hồng Hà Ward submitted a petition demanding clarification on “signs of irregularities in financial management and land use.” [42] This document explicitly opposed the wholesale demolition of residential areas located within the project boundaries.

Simultaneously, an open letter circulated among residents, urging authorities to “immediately halt all implementation steps” until detailed planning maps were released to the public. [43] The authors also demanded market-rate compensation and on-site resettlement options for those displaced.

Beyond formalized petitions, widespread social media discourse reflected deep anxieties over forced relocations, with citizens pleading for the city to upgrade existing neighborhoods rather than erase them.

To organize these efforts, a nonprofit website named the “Red River Riverside Community” was launched during this period. [44] Its stated mission was to equip affected residents with information, legal knowledge, and practical guidance for submitting formal project-related petitions.

May 27, 2026

State media reported that the project’s remaining developer—the Đại Quang Minh–THACO–Hòa Phát consortium—has proposed a highly aggressive implementation schedule. [45]

The developers established rapid deadlines: securing overall project approval and completing initial land clearance (excluding the Liên Ngạc cemetery) by June 15, 2026. This would be immediately followed by receiving land allocation on June 20, and then approving technical designs and beginning construction across the handed-over land by June 22.

Regarding the construction of the boulevard itself, the consortium requested the appraisal and approval of detailed 1:500-scale plans by June 15. The subsequent milestones included finalizing compensation and resettlement plans by July 5, clearing public and agricultural land within the project zone by Sept. 20, and officially commencing construction by Sept. 25.

To meet these ambitious targets, the consortium urged local authorities to execute legal procedures concurrently. By simultaneously reviewing land ownership records, surveying land use, and preparing compensation documentation, the developers hoped to accelerate clearance and break ground immediately.

If authorities were to adopt this proposed timetable, the window for land clearance would be exceptionally tight. Only roughly two and a half months would pass between the approval of the compensation and resettlement plans and the absolute deadline for clearing all public and agricultural land in the project area.

Editorial note: The Vietnamese Magazine will continue updating this timeline as new developments emerge.

Hoàng Lam wrote this article in Vietnamese and published it in Luật Khoa Magazine on June 2, 2026. Đàm Vĩnh Hằng translated it into English for The Vietnamese Magazine.

References: +

1. Tin, T. (2022). Decision No. 1259/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister: Approving the general construction planning of Hà Nội Capital through 2030, with a vision to 2050. Chinhphu.vn. [https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/default.aspx?pageid=27160&docid=101900](https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/default.aspx?pageid=27160&docid=101900)

2. Nangluongsachvietnam.vn. (2026). Approval of the Red River urban zoning plan. Nangluongsachvietnam.vn. [https://nangluongsachvietnam.vn/d6/vi-VN/news/Phe-duyet-quy-hoach-phan-khu-do-thi-song-Hong-6-185-15862](https://nangluongsachvietnam.vn/d6/vi-VN/news/Phe-duyet-quy-hoach-phan-khu-do-thi-song-Hong-6-185-15862)

3. The correct name for this river should be the Han River (한강 / 漢江).

4. Saigon Economic Times. (2022, October 27). Urban planning along the Red River: Feasibility must go hand in hand with scientific considerations. Saigon Economic Times. [https://thesaigontimes.vn/quy-hoach-do-thi-ben-song-hong-tinh-kha-thi-can-song-hanh-cung-yeu-to-khoa-hoc/](https://thesaigontimes.vn/quy-hoach-do-thi-ben-song-hong-tinh-kha-thi-can-song-hanh-cung-yeu-to-khoa-hoc/)

5. Thuvienphapluat.vn. (2022, November 3). Decision No. 1138/QĐ-UBND of 2022 assigning the agency responsible for drafting the Hà Nội Capital Planning for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050. THƯ VIỆN PHÁP LUẬT. [https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/Xay-dung-Do-thi/Quyet-dinh-1138-QD-UBND-2022-giao-co-quan-lap-quy-hoach-Ha-Noi-2021-2030-519811.aspx](https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/Xay-dung-Do-thi/Quyet-dinh-1138-QD-UBND-2022-giao-co-quan-lap-quy-hoach-Ha-Noi-2021-2030-519811.aspx)

6. Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam. (2022, May 5). Resolution No. 15-NQ/TW on directions and tasks for the development of Hanoi Capital through 2030, with a vision toward 2045. Thư Viện Pháp Luật. https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/EN/Bo-may-hanh-chinh/Resolution-15-NQ-TW-2022-directions-and-tasks-of-development-of-Hanoi-by-2030/571226/tieng-anh.aspx

7. Phạm, T. (2023, July 3). Hà Nội must implement the Red River zoning plan if it wants a breakthrough. Tuổi Trẻ Online. https://tuoitre.vn/muon-co-ky-tich-ha-noi-phai-trien-khai-quy-hoach-phan-khu-song-hong-20230703113853416.htm

8. See [7]

9. Hà, L. (2024, February 15). The “Red River miracle” will make Hà Nội shine. VnEconomy. https://vneconomy.vn/ky-tich-song-hong-se-toa-sang-ha-noi.htm

10. Conference on implementing the drafting of the Hà Nội Capital Planning for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050. (2021). National Economics University. https://khoabatdongsan.neu.edu.vn/vi/tin-tuc-737/hoi-nghi-trien-khai-cong-tac-lap-quy-hoach-thu-do-ha-noi-thoi-ky-2021-2030-tam-nhin-den-nam-2050-1

11. Linh. (2024, March 29). Resolution on the Hà Nội Capital Planning for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050, approved. Hà Nội City Portal. https://hanoi.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien-noi-bat/thong-qua-nghi-quyet-ve-quy-hoach-thu-do-ha-noi-thoi-ky-2021-2030-tam-nhin-den-nam-2050-42862575.htm

12. Appraisal meeting for the Hà Nội Capital Planning for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050. (n.d.). Ministry of Planning and Investment. https://www.mpi.gov.vn/portal/Pages/2024-2-23/Phien-hop-tham-dinh-Quy-hoach-Thu-do-Ha-Noi-thoi-k3d3rlp.aspx

13. Baochinhphu.vn. (2024, December 13). Hà Nội Capital Planning for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050, approved. Baochinhphu.vn. https://baochinhphu.vn/phe-duyet-quy-hoach-thu-do-ha-noi-thoi-ky-2021-2030-tam-nhin-den-nam-2050-102241213164744377.htm

14. A new step forward in the 300-trillion-đồng Red River Boulevard and Landscape Project. (2026). Hà Nội Investment Map. https://dautuhanoi.hanoi.gov.vn/buoc-tien-moi-tai-du-an-dai-lo-canh-quan-song-hong-von-300000-ty-dong-n75.html

15. VnExpress. (2025, August 12). Việt Nam and South Korea expand cooperation in clean energy and digital infrastructure. VnExpress. https://vnexpress.net/viet-han-tang-hop-tac-phat-trien-nang-luong-sach-ha-tang-so-4925913.html

16. Đèo Cả consortium assigned to study and propose the 300-trillion-đồng Red River Boulevard and Landscape Project. (2026). VCCI. https://vcci.com.vn/news/lien-danh-deo-ca-duoc-giao-nhiem-vu-nghien-cuu-de-xuat-du-an-dai-lo-canh-quan-song-hong-tri-gia-300000-ty

17. See [16]

18. See [14]

19. Liên, T. (2025, August 23). Cooperation to establish a joint venture for transport infrastructure and smart urban development. Nhân Dân Online. https://nhandan.vn/hop-tac-lap-lien-doanh-phat-trien-ha-tang-giao-thong-phat-trien-do-thi-thong-minh-post903091.html

20. Thuvienphapluat.vn. (2026, March 5). Notice No. 626/TB-VPCP of 2025 on the conclusions of the Government Standing Committee at the meeting on implementing the Red River Landscape Boulevard construction investment project in Hà Nội, issued by the Government Office. THƯ VIỆN PHÁP LUẬT. https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/Xay-dung-Do-thi/Thong-bao-626-TB-VPCP-2025-Du-an-dau-tu-xay-dung-Truc-Dai-lo-canh-quan-song-Hong-Ha-Noi-681140.aspx

21. Việt Hoàng. (2025, November 18). Government Standing Committee agrees in principle to study investment in the Red River Landscape Boulevard construction project. Nhân Dân Online. https://nhandan.vn/thuong-truc-chinh-phu-dong-y-chu-truong-nghien-cuu-dau-tu-du-an-xay-dung-truc-dai-lo-canh-quan-song-hong-post923948.html

22. VnExpress. (2025, November 17). Total investment for the Red River Landscape Boulevard estimated at about 338 trillion đồng. VnExpress. https://vnexpress.net/tong-von-dau-tu-dai-lo-canh-quan-song-hong-khoang-338-000-ty-dong-4965034.html

23. LuatVietnam. (2025). Hà Nội Resolution No. 498/NQ-HĐND of 2025 on investment in the Red River Landscape Boulevard. LuatVietnam. https://luatvietnam.vn/dau-tu/nghi-quyet-498-nq-hdnd-ha-noi-2025-dau-tu-truc-dai-lo-canh-quan-song-hong-431436-d2.html

24. Uyên, N. T. T. (2025, December 22). What is the latest Decision No. 6281/QĐ-UBND approving the investor selection results for the Red River Landscape Boulevard Project? THƯ VIỆN PHÁP LUẬT. https://thuvienphapluat.vn/phap-luat-nha-dat/quyet-dinh-6281qdubnd-ve-viec-phe-duyet-ket-qua-lua-chon-nha-dau-tu-thuc-hien-du-an-truc-dai-lo-can-13135.html

25. Duy, D. (2025, December 28). Đèo Cả Group withdraws from the Red River megaproject. VTV Online. https://vtv.vn/chu-tich-tap-doan-deo-ca-chia-se-ly-do-rut-khoi-sieu-du-an-song-hong-10025122802003132.htm

26. Sông Hồng chảy ngược | Facebook. (2026). Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/545414174465125/posts/1264075232599012

27. BT or Not BT: Vietnam’s Infrastructure Development Dilemma | FULCRUM. (2026, May 7). Fulcrum. https://fulcrum.sg/bt-or-not-bt-vietnams-infrastructure-development-dilemma/

28. Lê, H. (2025, December 19). Construction begins on the Red River Landscape Boulevard investment and construction project. Hà Nội City Portal. https://hanoi.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien-noi-bat/khoi-cong-du-an-dau-tu-xay-dung-truc-dai-lo-canh-quan-song-hong-4251219131924953.htm

29. Bảo Ngọc. (2025, December 25). MIK Group withdraws from the Red River Landscape Boulevard “megaproject.” Tuổi Trẻ Online. https://tuoitre.vn/mik-group-rut-khoi-sieu-du-an-truc-dai-lo-canh-quan-song-hong-20251225162849733.htm

30. Phụng Tiên. (2026, April 22). Lotte Group chairman meets Hà Nội People’s Committee chairman, expanding investment opportunities for new landmark projects. CafeF. https://cafef.vn/chu-tich-tap-doan-lotte-gap-chu-tich-ubnd-tp-ha-noi-mo-rong-co-hoi-dau-tu-nhung-cong-trinh-bieu-tuong-moi-188260422143902628.chn

31. 서영지. (2026). 이 대통령 “베트남 ‘홍강의 기적’ 함께”…원전 등 73건 MOU. 한겨레. https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/bluehouse/1255661.html

32. Văn Hưng. (2026, May 5). Suspicions arise that two more companies have withdrawn from the consortium behind the Red River megaproject. Dân Trí Online. https://dantri.com.vn/bat-dong-san/nghi-van-them-2-doanh-nghiep-rut-khoi-lien-danh-lam-sieu-du-an-song-hong-20260505162415283.htm

33. Bãi Giữa Sông Hồng ✅ | Facebook. (2026). Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/545414174465125/posts/1264644579208744/

34. See: https://cdn.thuvienphapluat.vn/uploads/phapluat/2022-2/TTKP/to-trinh-123.pdf

35. Trần, H. (2026, May 12). Approval of the project “Developing Hà Nội’s night-time economy for the 2026–2030 period, with orientations toward 2045.” Hà Nội City Portal. https://hanoi.gov.vn/chi-dao-cua-ubnd-thanh-pho-ha-noi/phe-duyet-de-an-phat-trien-kinh-te-dem-tren-dia-ban-thanh-pho-ha-noi-giai-doan-2026-2030-dinh-huong-den-nam-2045-4260512104331895.htm

36. See [34]

37. Thu, M. (2026, May 11). Hà Nội approves investment policy for the Red River Landscape Boulevard Project. Nhân Dân Online. https://nhandan.vn/ha-noi-thong-qua-chu-truong-dau-tu-du-an-truc-dai-lo-canh-quan-song-hong-post961404.html

38. See: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1158132508771118

39. Lê Sáng. (2026, May 13). Admins of Red River Residents’ Facebook Group Ban Terms Such as ‘Land Grab,’ ‘Complete Clearance,’ ‘Protest,’ and ‘Communist’. The Vietnamese Magazine. https://thevietnamese.org/2026/05/admins-of-red-river-residents-facebook-group-ban-terms-such-as-land-grab-complete-clearance-protest-and-communist/

40. Lê Sáng. (2026, May 18). Hà Nội Red River Residents Demand Market-Rate Compensation and Halts to Evictions. The Vietnamese Magazine. https://thevietnamese.org/2026/05/ha-noi-red-river-residents-demand-market-rate-compensation-and-halts-to-evictions/

41. Thạch Hãn. (2026, May 21). Red River Landscape Boulevard Project: Hà Nội Promises Resettlement ‘Equal To Or Better Than’ Old Homes. Dike Residents Are Skeptical. The Vietnamese Magazine. https://thevietnamese.org/2026/05/red-river-landscape-boulevard-project-ha-noi-promises-resettlement-equal-to-or-better-than-old-homes-dike-residents-are-skeptical/

42. See [40]

43. See [40]

44. Hoàng Nam. (2026, May 26). Hà Nội’s Red River Megaproject: Website Emerges to Guide Evictees on Petitions. The Vietnamese Magazine. https://thevietnamese.org/2026/05/ha-nois-red-river-megaproject-website-emerges-to-guide-evictees-on-petitions/

45. Lê Sáng. (2026, May 28). Developer’s 2.5-Month Clearance Push for Red River Megaproject Angers Residents. The Vietnamese Magazine. https://thevietnamese.org/2026/05/developers-2-5-month-clearance-push-for-red-river-megaproject-angers-residents/

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