Hanoi takes the lead in building a green city

On November 7, the VAN News, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, organized the forum “Green Energy - Clean City.”

Hanoi, the political, economic, and cultural center of Viet Nam, is facing numerous environmental challenges due to rapid urbanization and high population density. However, experts at the forum agreed that this also presents an opportunity for the city to transform toward green growth, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.

According to Ms. Le Thanh Thuy, Deputy Head of the Environmental Management Division under the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, the city is implementing a comprehensive and coordinated set of policies designed to both encourage residents to adopt green modes of transport and facilitate businesses in the production and assembly of electric vehicles. Hanoi plans to provide a range of investment incentives for the development of green infrastructure, mobilize financial resources from both the public budget and private sector, and offer support measures to help residents purchase electric vehicles at preferential prices, making sustainable transport more accessible and affordable.

The city’s Air Quality Management Plan (Decision 1142/QD-UBND) outlines four main focus areas and 14 priority tasks, embedding emission reduction goals into urban planning, transportation development, and industrial operations. As part of these efforts, Hanoi is investing in an automated air monitoring system and publicly sharing real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data, allowing residents to make informed decisions and take proactive measures to protect their health. Through these integrated measures, the city aims to create a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable urban environment while setting a model for other cities in Viet Nam to follow.

At present, the waste treatment plants in Soc Son and Nam Son are converting waste into clean energy, helping significantly reduce landfill rates. Meanwhile, solar power systems have been installed at government offices, schools, and wastewater treatment facilities across the city. Hanoi also encourages enterprises to adopt energy-efficient technologies, cut CO₂ emissions, and advance a circular economy by recycling and reusing waste, producing bioenergy, and manufacturing organic fertilizers. The guiding philosophy of “turning waste into resources” is increasingly central to the capital’s long-term sustainable development strategy.

“Recognizing the creation of low-emission zones as a central focus in our sustainable urbanization strategy, we plan to pilot this model in Ring Road 1, concentrating on green transport, clean energy, and smart urban management. This initiative will serve as a model for gradually achieving our broader objective of transforming Hanoi into a low-emission, carbon-neutral city by 2050,” Ms. Thuy explained.

The Deputy Head of the Environmental Management Division stressed that effectively controlling pollution and advancing green energy development requires close, coordinated cooperation across multiple sectors. From the State’s perspective, it is necessary to complete and strengthen policies to provide a solid legal framework, promote the circular economy, and expand the use of renewable energy sources. Equally important is the need to widely communicate the message “Hanoi - Green City, Sustainable Living” to raise environmental awareness and foster a sense of responsibility among all residents.

“Alongside enhancing inspection and monitoring of motor vehicles, the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment is actively developing and refining a comprehensive system of emission standards and regulations that align with international best practices. At the same time, we are encouraging partnerships with international organizations, research institutes, and high-tech enterprises to adopt, transfer, and apply advanced solutions for reducing emissions, managing air quality, developing clean energy, and implementing smart transportation systems,” she explained.

Hanoi is gradually realizing green transport with a roadmap to phase out gasoline vehicles: by 2026 in Ring Road 1, expanding to Ring Road 2 by 2028, and completing Ring Road 3 by 2030. Previously, the city eliminated 99% of traditional coal stoves, ended manual brick kilns, and strictly controlled industrial emissions. At the same time, measures such as street cleaning, dust suppression spraying, implementation of Euro 4-5 emission standards, and the development of urban rail and electric vehicles have been carried out.

The city is committed to working alongside the community, businesses, and authorities to build a green, clean, and sustainable urban environment - for the health and well-being of Hanoi’s residents.