Hanoi launches landmark projects marking 80th National Day

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi today (August 19) inaugurated the National Exposition Center in Dong Anh Commune, marking the 80th anniversary of the National Day (September 2).

After 10 months of construction, the completed facility covers an area of 900,000 square meters with a total investment of VND7 trillion (US$266 million). It is Southeast Asia’s largest exhibition complex and ranks among the world’s top 10.

The centerpiece, the Kim Quy Exhibition Hall, features a 24,000-ton steel dome rising 56 meters, inspired by the Golden Turtle God from the Co Loa legend.

Beyond exhibition spaces, the complex houses a permanent exhibition center, four outdoor areas, the VinPalace convention hall, a park, a regulating lake, dining zones, and a parking lot spanning over 18 hectares.

At the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the project will promote cultural services, creative industries, and entertainment.

Nguyen Viet Quang, CEO of Vingroup - the project contractor, said that with its strategic location, the project will become a new growth engine for both Hanoi and the nation.

At the event, General Secretary To Lam presented Vingroup's Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong with the First-Class Labor Order for the company's efforts into turning the exhibition project into reality in a record time of 10 months.

On the same day, Hanoi launched construction of the Ngoc Hoi Bridge and its approach roads, a project with an investment of VND10.2 trillion ($388 million) spanning the Red River to connect Thanh Tri Commune and Hung Yen Province's Van Giang Commune.

Once completed, the bridge will help redistribute traffic, easing pressure on Ring Road 3, National Highway 1A, and major Red River crossings.

Also in Ngoc Hoi Commune, the city started work on a resettlement area serving the North-South High-Speed Railway mega project.

The VND102 billion ($3.8 million) project spans 9,200 square meters and includes 110 lots with synchronized infrastructure, scheduled for completion in 2026.

Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Nhung of the Ngoc Hoi Commune People’s Committee said that land clearance and livelihood stabilization are decisive factors for maintaining project progress.

According to Pham Binh Phuc, Director of the commune's Infrastructure Management Board, the project will serve the national railway while enhancing the urban landscape, creating momentum for Hanoi’s southern gateway.

Alongside transport infrastructure, Hanoi also prioritized science and technology development.

In Thuong Cat Commune, the city and Pacific Land Vietnam JSC launched the Hanoi Biotechnology High-Tech Park (Silver Lake). Covering nearly 200 hectares, the project's investment is VND7.4 trillion ($281 million).

The project is planned as a multifunctional high-tech zone, integrating research and development centers, biotech production, residential areas, commerce, services, universities, and international hospitals.

Patrick Gerard McKillen, Chairman of Pacific Land, pledged to build Southeast Asia’s leading modern infrastructure while ensuring sustainability, greenery, and community connectivity.

Vu Xuan Hung, Head of Hanoi’s High-Tech Park Management Board, said that authorities will harness land clearance, protect residents’ rights, and provide investors and contractors with the best conditions.

Also on the same day, Hanoi began construction of the North Hanoi Smart City in Vinh Thanh Commune.

The project spans 271 hectares with a total investment of VND94 trillion ($3.6 billion), funded by a joint venture between Vietnam’s BRG Group and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation. It is designed as a model smart city and aims to become Vietnam’s first carbon-neutral urban area.

The project represents the strong relations between Vietnam and Japan, and it serves as a model for green, sustainable, and smart development, said Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen.

BRG Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Nga said that the project will apply advanced technologies and follow six smart solutions to build a modern, disaster-resilient urban area that benefits residents.

The project will be implemented in five phases and is scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2032.

Among other projects being started and inaugurated in Hanoi were the social housing projects in Hanoi's Thanh Lam - Dai Thinh 2 Urban Area, the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plan in Thanh Liet Commune, and the route connecting Hanoi with Gia Binh Airport in the neighboring province of Bac Ninh.

Synchronized infrastructure nationwide

These projects are part of 250 works launched nationwide on the same day, with total investment reaching VND1.28 quadrillion ($48.6 billion).

Together, they are expected to contribute 18% of GDP in 2025, and 20% in the following years.

The projects include eight nationally significant projects, dozens of group A projects (large-scale, nationally or regionally important), and many group B and C initiatives (medium- and smaller-scale, often at provincial or local levels) across defense, transportation, industry, agriculture, education, healthcare, and culture.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh said that infrastructure investment is one of three strategic breakthroughs, opening a “new era of advancement” for the nation.

Deputy Minister of Construction Le Anh Tuan noted that 129 projects, worth VND478 trillion ($18 billion), are funded by the state budget, accounting for 37%. The remaining 120 projects are financed by non-state investors, including five FDI projects totaling VND54 trillion ($2 billion), accounting for 63%.

Projects extend across the nation, reflecting synchronized infrastructure development.

In the central province of Ha Tinh, three major projects include the Vinhomes Vung Ang industrial park worth over VND13 trillion ($494 million), a resettlement area for the high-speed railway, and the second phase of the Thach Linh social housing project.

In the southern province of Tay Ninh, the new Phuoc Vinh Tay urban area spans more than 1,000 hectares, designed as a smart eco-city and expected to emerge as a new growth hub.

The southern province of Dong Nai marked progress with the western North-South Expressway section from Gia Nghia to Chon Thanh, stretching 124 kilometers and connecting the Central Highlands with the Southeast region.

At the southernmost tip, the VND2.4-trillion ($91 million) expansion of Ca Mau Airport will upgrade it to 4C standards, enabling it to handle three million passengers annually by 2050.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that these key projects turn the Party and State’s vision of modern, synchronized infrastructure into reality.

They will create new development spaces, attractive investment environments, and livelihoods for people, he said.

The prime minister said that the projects embody the spirit of “delivering on commitments,” demonstrate technological mastery, and inspire pride and aspiration nationwide.