At least 8 public officials have made promises of secure housing that run contradictory to a legal mandate that could leave 200,000 residents temporarily homeless.
The Latest: On the morning of Sept. 22, Hà Nội Party Secretary Trần Đức Thắng set out a principle for the Red River Landscape Boulevard project, stating: “Only when all resettlement arrangements are complete, with fully integrated infrastructure, will land acquisition proceed where residents currently live.”
- This statement contradicts Decision No. 127/2026, issued by the Hà Nội People’s Committee on Sept. 16.
- This decision allows authorities to acquire land before residents are resettled, effective Sept. 26, 2026.
- The conflicting mandate has angered the local population.
Speakers and Statements: Before Trần Đức Thắng’s remarks, a series of national and Hà Nội officials had made commitments on resettlement for the Red River project.
- Their promises included completing resettlement before acquiring land, prioritizing relocation within or near existing neighborhoods, and ensuring that new living conditions would be at least as good as those residents would leave behind.
| No. | Date | Speaker | Position | Statement or Remarks |
| 1 | Dec. 8, 2025 | Phan Trường Thành | Head of the Finance and Investment Division, Hà Nội Department of Construction | The Red River project must safeguard living conditions for affected residents, provide opportunities for better housing than before, and prioritize resettling all residents within their existing neighborhoods. |
| 2 | May 19, 2026 | Trương Việt Dũng | Vice chairman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee | “The city’s consistent position is to safeguard residents’ lawful and legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law, while prioritizing resettlement and redevelopment projects to stabilize the lives and livelihoods of those affected. Assessments, identification of affected areas, site clearance and resettlement will proceed in phases, consistent with planning and the actual conditions in each area, to minimize disruption to residents’ lives.” |
| 3 | May 30, 2026 | Phạm Gia Túc | Deputy prime minister | “The chairman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee shall direct city agencies to proactively and promptly carry out public information and outreach, compensation, assistance and resettlement when acquiring land for the project, in accordance with regulations and with safeguards for residents’ lawful and legitimate rights and interests.” |
| 4 | June 17, 2026 | Vũ Đại Thắng | Chairman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee | “The city has established a clear principle: Residents may be relocated only after new resettlement areas are complete, with fully integrated technical infrastructure and social amenities. New homes must offer better living conditions than previous ones, consistent with putting people at the center of all development policies.” |
| 5 | June 25, 2026 | Trần Quang Tuyên | Deputy director of the Hà Nội Department of Planning and Architecture | “The Hà Nội People’s Committee follows the principle that residents will be relocated only after they have visited and seen firsthand the completed infrastructure and living environment in the resettlement area, with sustainable livelihoods ensured at their new location.” |
| 6 | Sept. 17, 2026 | Đào Minh Tâm | Deputy director of the Hà Nội Department of Construction | On resettlement policy, the Department of Construction has worked with local authorities to study and identify resettlement areas offering a range of locations, housing types, and residential plots. Priorities include preserving residents’ existing community ties, livelihoods, and connections to their neighborhoods, while ensuring living conditions are at least as good as before. |
| 7 | Sept. 22, 2026 | Trần Đức Thắng | Politburo member and Hà Nội Party secretary | “Only when all resettlement arrangements are complete, with fully integrated infrastructure, will land acquisition proceed where residents currently live.” |
| 8 | Not provided | Dương Đức Tuấn | Vice chairman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee | There must be no temporary accommodation; resettlement must come first, with employment opportunities and supporting policies in place. The plan will become final only once it meets the required standards and is integrated with the approved revised planning framework. Under all circumstances, residents must receive living conditions at least as good as before and the most favorable resettlement policies. |
From the Residents: Despite these widespread assurances, a survey conducted by Luật Khoa revealed that many residents remained unclear about compensation, resettlement plans, and the project timeline during the public consultation phase that began on Sept. 7.
- When asked about these issues, residents at the consultation site stated that they did not know the details and had received no formal notices.
Since the Hà Nội People’s Council approved the project’s investment policy on the morning of May 11, 2026, residents have voiced concerns about displacement, particularly regarding resettlement and adequate compensation.
- Many residents of Hồng Hà ward are particularly frustrated; they had already lost land to an earlier acquisition and were resettled in their current neighborhood, only to face another relocation.
The Background: Authorities have a historical precedent of acquiring residents’ land for other major projects before arranging proper resettlement.
- Many people have handed over their homes and land but remain stranded in temporary accommodations while awaiting permanent housing.
Most recently, nearly 1,700 households affected by the Gia Bình Airport project in Bắc Ninh had their land acquired and moved into temporary housing.
- The developer had pledged to complete resettlement sites before July 15, 2026, and hand them over to residents before July 31.
- By the end of July, however, the sites remained behind schedule, and residents were still in temporary accommodations.
Similarly, the Thủ Thiêm New Urban Area project in Hồ Chí Minh City displaced about 15,000 households, leading to years of complaints over problems with land acquisition, compensation, and resettlement.
The Red River Project: The Red River project is a strategic megaproject intended to reshape Hà Nội’s urban landscape.
- It spans 16 communes and wards, covers approximately 11,418 hectares, and carries a preliminary investment estimate of 736.963 trillion đồng ($28 billion).
- It is expected to affect about 200,000 residents.
Lê Sáng wrote this news article in Vietnamese and published it in Luật Khoa Magazine on September 22, 2026. The Vietnamese Magazine translated it into English.
