A view of Hoàn Kiếm Lake in Hà Nội's downtown. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The 18th-tenure Hà Nội Party Committee convened its fifth conference on March 27 to deliberate and adopt a range of strategic decisions shaping the capital’s development in a new era.

A focus of discussions was the master plan for Hà Nội with a 100-year vision, under which the capital is expected to evolve into a global city beyond 2065 – recognised among leading international capitals for quality of life and overall well-being.

Presenting the master plan, Permanent Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Dương Đức Tuấn said the planning scope covers the entire administrative area of Hà Nội, comprising 126 communes and wards, while extending to the Capital Region, consisting of Hà Nội and Phú Thọ, Thái Nguyên, Bắc Ninh, Hưng Yên and Ninh Bình provinces, and promoting regional linkages with others in the Red River Delta, the northern mountainous and midland region, and national economic corridors.

Hà Nội is envisioned as the core of a multi-centred urban cluster, playing a leading role in driving development across the Capital Region.

The city spans approximately 3,360 sq.km, with population projections reaching 14–15 million by 2035, 15–16 million by 2045, and 17–19 million by 2065. The long-term outlook aims to stabilise the population level below 20 million, ensuring sustainable urban density while maintaining the capacity to accommodate transient populations.

By 2035, Hà Nội aims to become a “civilised, modern and happy” capital of time-honoured culture, and serve as a leading hub for economy, education, healthcare, and innovation in the Asia-Pacific. By 2045, it is expected to stand on par with capitals of developed nations in terms of knowledge and technology. Beyond 2065, the city aspires to achieve the global city status.

The master plan also outlines an open spatial structure described as “multi-layered, multi-polar, and multi-centred”, with the Red River serving as the central ecological and cultural axis, closely integrated with regional, national and international economic networks.

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyễn Xuân Lưu presented the socio-economic development plan for 2026–30, which targets fast yet sustainable development based on a new growth model. By 2030, Hà Nội is expected to strengthen its position as the political–administrative centre of Việt Nam and a leading hub for innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and the circular economy with strong competitiveness in the region.

Key targets include an average annual GRDP growth rate of eleven per cent, per capita GRDP of US$12,000, and the digital economy contributing 40 per cent of GRDP by 2030. The urbanisation rate is projected to reach 65–70 per cent while public transport is expected to meet at least 30 per cent of travel demand.

In his closing remarks, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyễn Duy Ngọc underscored that Hà Nội is entering a new development phase marked by both significant challenges and historic opportunities.

The aspiration to develop the capital must not remain a slogan, but be realised through concrete actions by authorities at every level, all sectors, and all officials, he stated, calling for stronger determination, greater efficiency, and unified implementation across the political system to turn policies into tangible outcomes. — VNA/ VNS