The amount of waste collected in four central districts of Hanoi has decreased by 67% to 87 tons per day after 2.5 months, the Hanoi Urban Environment Company Limited (Urenco) reported on February 28.
| Waste collecting in the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem District. Photo: kinhtedothi.vn |
The number of waste collection sites in the four districts of Dong Da, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, and Ba Dinh has dropped by 94.3% over nearly three months to only eight, it said.
The no-daytime collection program started on December 13, 2024 in 51 out of 63 wards in the four districts, Urenco said.
The company has implemented direct waste collection in 23 wards, replacing 651 open garbage carts out of a total of 2,150 and introducing 820 sealed composite trash bins.
These composite bins have helped ensure no trash is left outside, waste is transported promptly, and there is no overflow, the company reported.
The trash collection is now done with mechanized vehicles in the four districts, it added.
However, the company noted that many open garbage carts remain, making the streets look messy, some modern equipment for street cleaning are unused, and surveillance cameras for monitoring and fining violations are not fully-equipped on all streets.
In regards of the issues related to public restroom service, Hanoi now has 351 public toilets. Among them, 176 are brick-built, 91 have metal structures, and 84 were installed by Vinasing Company.
These toilets only meet part of the public demand. Many are in poor condition, with peeling paint and rusted structures, which affect the city’s appearance.
Most public toilets lack modern features such as self-cleaning systems, water-saving technology, and facilities for people with disabilities.
Beyond these infrastructure issues, public awareness remains a challenge.
On some small streets, people still do not fully follow the rules, throwing garbage on sidewalks, tree bases, and utility poles, and urinate in the corners of the streets, causing unpleasant odors and affecting the city’s image.
Efforts made by authorities, environmental businesses
Ba Dinh District launched the no-daytime waste collection operation in November 2024. The main goal was to change people’s habits of throwing trash.
Since January 2025, the district has worked with community groups and schools to raise public awareness, and encourage 100% of residents to dispose of trash only in the evening, not during the day.
The district has also installed 300 surveillance cameras and linked 1,000 private cameras to police stations in 13 wards to ensure security and cleanliness.
| The meeting on Hanoi's environmental protection February 28. Photo: kinhtedothi.vn |
Hoan Kiem District has 46 public toilets, but four are out of service due to poor conditions. It is renovating and building seven new toilets, add 17 more in 2025, and relocate the toilets for better access.
In Dong Da District, all businesses on the recently-opened pedestrian street Nguyen Van Tuyet have signed agreements with local authorities to allow visitors to use their restrooms freely, ensuring a comfortable experience for both locals and tourists.
Urenco and Thien Y Energy Environment Company have signed an agreement to improve sanitation services in these four districts. They will import and deploy modern equipment starting in March 2025. By April 1, 100% of main streets will be covered, and by May 1, the plan will expand to the entire area.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh praised the efforts of local authorities and environmental businesses, which have improved public awareness of cleanliness.
"I want all four districts to share their best practices so that keeping the city clean becomes a habit and a way of life for Hanoians," he said.
He emphasized that public awareness is the most important factor in maintaining a clean and beautiful city.
He also urged businesses such as restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, and supermarkets to allow the public to use their restrooms to address the shortage of public toilets.
For public restrooms, he suggested developing designs that suit Vietnam’s conditions.
Thanh also directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to work with Vinasing Company to repair and upgrade damaged toilets to maintain the city’s appearance.
The mayor praised the efforts of URENCO and Thien Y Energy Environment Company, and urged them to speed up the import and deployment of modern sanitation equipment to support the city.
He wanted them to select one district for test project, and draw lessons learned from this district to expand the model to other areas.
"If Hanoi succeeds, other cities and provinces can follow our example," he said.
Allowing businesses like cafés, restaurants, and malls to provide public restroom access is not new.
In many developed countries, cafés and restaurants allow non-customers to use their restrooms for free or for a small fee.
In Hanoi, this practice is not yet common. Many businesses refuse non-customers, making it difficult for tourists and locals to find restrooms.
At the same time, many people feel embarrassed asking to use a restroom in a place they are not a customer. They fear being rejected or treated rudely.
Deputy Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Trong Dong said that to improve public sanitation, the standards for public toilets need to be upgraded.
“The upcoming environmental sanitation contracts must cover all roads, sidewalks, parks, green spaces, and public restrooms. Businesses and private enterprises should also help provide restroom access for the public,” he said.
