On January 17, Politburo member and Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc held a working session with the Party Committee of the Hanoi Department of Construction to review several urgent and priority tasks.

Attending the meeting were Deputy Minister of Construction Le Anh Tuan and members of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Party Committee, including Head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Inspection Commission Do Anh Tuan, Head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Organization Commission Ha Minh Hai, Head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Commission for Publicity, Education and Mass Mobilization Nguyen Doan Toan and Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan.

Coordinating effectively the implementation of major projects and works

Reporting at the meeting, Director of the Hanoi Department of Construction Nguyen Phi Thuong said that in 2025, the department advised the city to approve and implement four sectoral master plans covering transport, drainage and ground elevation, water supply and underground space.

The department also implemented five major programs on local flood prevention, traffic congestion reduction, urban parks and green spaces and construction materials.

The city established a Steering Committee to address five major bottlenecks, held weekly review meetings and issued 13 emergency construction orders. These included 10 drainage and flood prevention projects, one project serving the A80 mission and two traffic congestion mitigation projects.

During the year, the department completed and submitted to the municipal People's Committee several major reports, including comprehensive assessments of the urban railway system, resettlement housing funds, parks and gardens, parking infrastructure, river-crossing bridges and the urban drainage and flood control system.

Notably, the Hanoi Department of Construction coordinated effectively in implementing many major projects across the city.

Key achievements included completing the first phase of water treatment and cleaning of the To Lich River and putting the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant into operation, launching construction of seven major bridges across the Red River and starting work on Urban Railway Lines No. 2 and No. 5.

In 2025, Hanoi also initiated several mega projects such as the Red River scenic boulevard axis, the Olympic Sports Urban Area, the road connecting Gia Binh Airport and Component Project 3 of Ring Road 4.

In housing development, the department advised on implementing social housing projects, targeting 120,000 units during the 2026–2030 period.

In 2025, the city completed approximately 7.1 million square meters of housing floor area, including 6.36 million square meters of commercial housing. Social housing projects delivered about 5,158 units, equivalent to 309,000 square meters, across six projects.

Traffic organization efforts continued, with nine of 38 congestion points resolved, 14 of 26 barricade locations removed and all 17 planned traffic organization projects completed. Authorities also reviewed 266 intersections at risk of congestion.

The city issued regulations restricting trucks and container vehicles on Ring Road 3 during peak hours and updated rules governing road traffic operations.

In 2026, the department plans to implement a work program comprising 216 tasks and nine key targets through three main focuses.

Its three main focuses will be on developing the capital's master plan with a 100-year vision, improving institutions through amendments to Politburo Resolution 15 and the Capital Law and establishing a new growth model aimed at double-digit economic growth.

The department will accelerate the completion of four sectoral master plans and five industry programs.

In January 2026, regulators will finalize two programs on construction materials and urban greenery, finalize the housing development program for 2026–2030 and coordinate implementation of eight urban areas for urban redevelopment, each exceeding 100 hectares.

The department's Director, Nguyen Phi Thuong, said relevant agencies will focus on resolving existing issues in urban railway development, maintain effective operation of the Steering Committee on five bottlenecks and prioritize addressing urban flooding.

The department will also promote science and technology applications, finalize operational cost norms for urban railways and implement the renovation and reconstruction of old apartment buildings under the 2026–2030 roadmap, aiming to complete renovation and redevelopment of more than 2,000 old apartment buildings citywide by 2035.

Resolving bottlenecks decisively to create visible improvements in daily life

Concluding the meeting, Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc commended the Hanoi Department of Construction for its recent achievements, particularly its coordination with the city police in addressing traffic congestion.

He also praised the department for accelerating progress on road infrastructure projects and contributing to the development of the capital's master plan, amendments to the Capital Law and the drafting of a resolution to replace Politburo Resolution No. 15-NQ/TW.

According to Ngoc, Notice No. 491-TB/VPTW dated January 13, 2026, issued by the Party Central Office on the conclusions of Party General Secretary To Lam's working session with the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Party Committee, clearly states that traffic congestion, environmental pollution, flooding, urban order and food safety must be identified as key political tasks.

The notice also states that Hanoi authorities must resolutely remove these bottlenecks to create tangible and noticeable improvements in people's daily lives.

Ngoc stressed that to effectively implement the General Secretary's directives, all levels of the capital's government must act with new vision and new thinking.

Tasks and solutions to address bottlenecks must reflect current conditions and ensure sustainability, aligned with the capital's 100-year master plan and longer-term vision.

Elaborating on strategic vision, Ngoc emphasized that urban development must meet high standards and ensure synchronized technical infrastructure. All new developments must differ from outdated regulations, ensure long-term durability, create livelihoods and support sustainable growth.

Agencies responsible for completing the capital’s institutional and planning framework must strengthen coordination to comprehensively address outstanding issues, particularly persistent flooding, and prevent further complications.

"All tasks must move forward with urgency. You must propose large urban areas and major road corridors based on new standards. Decisions must rely on scientific evidence to ensure a vision for the next 100 years," Ngoc said.

Regarding flood control bottlenecks, he instructed the Hanoi Department of Construction to develop technical standards and operational norms for flood prevention works to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

He also required a comprehensive review of water flows, reservoirs and drainage systems to prioritize urgent tasks and maximize the effectiveness of existing, well-performing infrastructure.

"We need to build a flood control simulation model for Hanoi to support planning adjustments. We can pilot it at the most complex locations to identify optimal solutions for pumping stations," Ngoc added.

Emphasizing accountability, the Hanoi Party Chief said agencies granted full authority must find every possible way to complete their tasks effectively. During bottleneck resolution, all obstacles must be addressed decisively, with no retreat.

He also stressed that all activities of the construction sector must align with the city's action program implementing Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation in 2026.

The sector must apply science and digital transformation aggressively to modernize operations and minimize manual procedures. Task assignments under the action program must be implemented decisively, with measurable results reported monthly and quarterly.

Ngoc highlighted that the capital's 100-year master plan envisions green belt landscapes and green corridors interwoven among satellite cities under the model of "forests within the city, the city within forests."

He urged the Hanoi Department of Construction to soon propose policies to improve management, planning and development of urban greenery.

These efforts should follow the principle of "Tree Planting Spring", ensuring that all development projects include appropriate green space ratios within a long-term master plan.