Hanoi to spend US$1 billion to upgrade urban drainages, tackle flooding
Hanoi earmarks billion-dollar funding to accelerate drainage upgrades, tackle chronic flooding and climate-driven downpours ahead of intensifying rainy seasons citywide.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi plans to invest about VND24 trillion (US$911 million) in 18 projects to address chronic urban flooding, according to a newly issued plan by the municipal People’s Committee.
Under the plan, city authorities will launch seven urgent projects and accelerate the progress of 11 ongoing ones.
The Tran Duy Hung–Thang Long Boulevard interchange was severely flooded after heavy rain on October 7, 2025. Photo: Kinh te & Do thi newspaper
The plan seeks to speed up the development and completion of the drainage system in line with approved planning while removing major bottlenecks.
The city will prioritize urgent investments to quickly reduce flooding caused by increasingly extreme rainfall linked to climate change.
Of the total, seven emergency projects worth more than VND7.8 trillion (US$296 million) are scheduled for completion before the 2026 rainy season.
Among these projects, Hanoi will upgrade the capacity of existing pumping stations, install temporary pumps and rehabilitate and build new drainage pipelines to reduce flooding along Thang Long Boulevard. This project carries a total investment of VND163 billion (US$6.5 million).
The city will also rehabilitate the downstream section of the Kim Nguu River connecting the To Lich River to the Yen So pumping station with an investment of VND700 billion (US$26.6 million).
Another urgent project involves upgrading drainage infrastructure to address flooding in major urban areas such as Resco, Ecohome, West West Lake, Ngoai Giao Doan, Ciputra, Long Bien Ward and Dong Anh and Gia Lam communes with a total cost of VND869 billion (US$33 million).
Other projects include emergency rehabilitation of the Thuy Phuong Canal to supplement water for the To Lich River and reduce localized flooding at a cost of VND262 billion (US$9.9 million), dredging the main channel of the Nhue River from Lien Mac to Ring Road 4 (Phase 1) for VND890 billion (US$34 million) and building 12 lakes to increase drainage capacity for more than VND4.3 trillion (US$166 million).
Hanoi will continue implementing 11 ongoing drainage projects under the 2021–2025 public investment plan, with a combined investment exceeding VND17 trillion (US$646 million).
Major works include construction and upgrades of the Dong My drainage pumping station system with an investment of VND5.2 trillion (US$197.5 million) and the Lien Mac pumping station in Tu Liem Ward (Phase 1), which costs more than VND3 trillion (US$114 million).
Looking ahead, the city will review and adjust the capital’s drainage master plan to 2045, with a vision to 2065 and prepare a separate master plan on ground elevation and drainage.
Hanoi will finalize an inner-city flood prevention scheme for 2026–2030 and develop a medium-term plan for drainage and wastewater infrastructure.
In recent years, heavy rains in Hanoi have repeatedly caused widespread and prolonged flooding, submerging roads and residential areas, damaging property and severely disrupting daily life in the capital.
