Hanoi's master plan prioritizes environmental protection and aims to treat 70% of domestic wastewater by 2030, up from just 30% today.
| To Lich River. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times |
This target is outlined in Decision 1569, which approves Hanoi's Master Plan for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, signed by the Prime Minister last week. The plan envisions Hanoi as a green, smart, peaceful, and prosperous city, with an average annual income of approximately $45,000-$46,000 per capita.
With environmental goals set for 2030, Hanoi aims to collect and treat 70% of domestic wastewater, sort 100% of urban solid waste at source, collect and treat to standards, and send less than 10% to direct landfills.
Currently, Hanoi generates one million cubic meters of domestic wastewater per day but only treats 30% of it, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The city also produces 7,000 tons of solid waste, of which 96-97% is treated, but 63%ends up in landfills.
Dr. Nguyen Trung Thang, Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, stated at the Green Urban Forum on December 12 held by the Economic & Urban Newspaper that the upcoming operation of the Yen Xa treatment plant would increase wastewater treatment capacity to 50%, which is a significant achievement for the city. Nationwide, the average wastewater treatment rate is only 15-17%.
"Hanoi's dream is weighed down by two words: 'pollution' and 'congestion,'" said Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, Director of the Institute for Brand and Competitive Strategy Studies.
To achieve its goal of becoming a green city, Hanoi has identified environmental and landscape protection, addressed the causes of pollution, and restored rivers. It will also use modern, circular, and environmentally friendly technologies in waste collection, transportation, and treatment. Additionally, the city will focus on greening urban areas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and contributing to the national goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The prime minister has ordered stricter control of sewage discharge into water sources, along with the restoration of rivers such as the Ngu Huyen Khe, Nhue, Day, Cau Bay, Tich, To Lich, Kim Nguu, Lu, and Set. The city will also develop tourism corridors along the Red, Day, and To Lich rivers.
Lakes, ponds, canals, and water regulation channels are to be protected from encroachment while new technologies will be applied to effectively treat pollution and restore the rivers.
Dr. Nguyen Duc Tai, CEO of the Institute for Science, Technology, and Legal Applications, shared his memories of growing up in Quan Hoa village along the To Lich River. He recalled catching crabs and snails in the river as a child and expressed hope that by 2026, the To Lich River could be revitalized, with certain sections clean enough for swimming and supporting the green economy, nighttime economies, and riverside tourism.
In addition to river restoration, the "green" concept is integrated throughout Hanoi's development plans. For example, in economic development, the city prioritizes digital, green, circular, and sharing economies, aiming to complete industrialization and modernization by 2030. Urban development will follow a green, smart, and modern approach, with the target of providing 10-12 square meters of green space per capita.
To achieve environmental protection goals, the prime minister has emphasized the need for comprehensive measures, including public education, administrative enforcement, and economic incentives to change public perceptions and behaviors regarding environmental protection, with a particular focus on waste segregation at the source.
The city will introduce supportive policies for businesses and residents, such as incentives for transitioning from gasoline or diesel vehicles to electric vehicles, and preferential programs for recycling and reusing agricultural by-products and waste.
