THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi’s top official has urged accelerated action to combat environmental pollution and revive stalled waste management projects, emphasizing the need for a greener, cleaner, and more appealing capital to boost tourism. The call to action came on January 17 from Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc during a meeting with the city’s Department of Agriculture and Environment.
Secretary Ngoc highlighted growing concerns that delays in environmental initiatives are negatively impacting tourism and urban livability. He stressed the importance of comprehensive solutions to address both immediate and long-term sustainability challenges.
Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc leads a meeting with leaders of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment on January 17. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times
“The slow progress in waste treatment and pollution control is hindering multiple sectors, particularly tourism,” Ngoc stated. He called for tailored planning solutions for various waste categories, including household, construction, medical, and industrial waste, aligned with the city’s broader development goals.
“Each solution must follow a clear roadmap, tied to specific objectives and integrated with institutional reforms, urban planning, and a new growth model,” he added.
Ngoc also urged the department to leverage science, technology, and digital transformation to establish robust databases for agriculture and environmental management. He emphasized the need for accurate land records to support administrative reforms and a data-driven economy.
“Prioritizing land resource development for socio-economic growth and waste prevention is critical,” he noted. Additionally, he advocated for a clear legal framework to eliminate overlapping responsibilities and ensure accountability for each task.
Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, outlined plans to expand two waste-to-energy plants in Tung Thien Ward and Soc Son Commune by February 28, with completion targeted for Q1/2027. These projects, alongside existing facilities, aim to process 100% of the city’s waste through incineration, eliminating the need for landfilling.
For construction waste, four new treatment facilities with a combined capacity of 2,500 to 3,000 tons are set to begin operations in 2026. The department has also implemented measures to tackle air pollution, including emission control, enhanced monitoring, and the management of polluting facilities.
A sanitation worker cleans the streets in Dong Da Ward. Photo: Van Nhi/The Hanoi Times
Policies to strengthen air quality management and introduce low-emission zones in specific areas have been finalized. By 2026, an environmental quality monitoring network for air and surface water is expected to be completed, as mandated by the municipal People’s Committee.
To address suburban flooding, the department is upgrading three pumping stations in Da Phuc Commune and investing in dike system improvements. In agriculture, Hanoi aims to sustain annual growth of at least 3.6% through advanced production techniques, seed development, and secure supply chains.
The department has completed a citywide land management database, linked it to the national population database in August 2025, and synchronized it with the National Data Center. Innovative software has been developed to manage compensation, support, and resettlement for projects, digitizing the entire land clearance process and providing real-time progress updates.
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