Place

The Green City: Hanoi’s Urban Canopy

6 April, 2025

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THE HANOI TIMES — Acknowledging the significant role of urban greenery in mitigating the urban heat island effect and enhancing residents’ quality of life, the Hanoi authorities have embarked on an ambitious initiative to plant approximately 700,000 new trees of diverse species across the city this year, with a particular focus on fruit trees, aiming for a total of 350,000.

This forms a part of Hanoi’s commitment to the nationwide program, ‘Billion Trees for Vietnam,’ spanning from 2021 to 2025. As a contribution to this initiative, the city intends to plant an impressive 200,000 to 250,000 shade and timber trees along its urban transportation routes, complemented by an additional 200,000 fruit trees.

Various agencies have been diligently tasked with the restoration of storm-damaged trees and the planting of new ones along emerging roads, with a special emphasis on Ring Road 4 and vacant lots. This comprehensive approach ensures that the benefits of urban greenery are extended to all areas of the city.

Hanoi’s departments, organizations, and localities have been urged to expedite their plans to meet, and even surpass, the tree-planting and afforestation goals set for the period of 2021-2025. This sense of urgency reflects the city’s dedication to creating a greener and more sustainable urban environment.

The vibrant maple trees lining Tran Duy Hung and Nguyen Chi Thanh roads capture the essence of Hanoi’s commitment to urban greening. Photo: Cong Trinh/The Hanoi Times

Looking ahead to 2025, Hanoi has its sights set on expanding its production forests by an additional 20-30 hectares. Simultaneously, the city intends to strengthen the care and protection of special-use and preservation forests, thereby maintaining a stable forest coverage rate.

Hanoi is committed to a continuous process of planting new trees and removing old, decaying ones to enhance the urban aesthetic, improve traffic safety, and protect the environment. This dynamic approach ensures that the city remains a pleasant and healthy place to live for its residents.

According to statistics from the Hanoi Department of Construction, the city is already home to approximately 1.8 million trees, which provide essential green spaces, ecological balance, and a refreshing environment for all to enjoy.

The presence of trees and water features in urban areas has been scientifically proven to reduce air temperatures by as much as 3.3 degrees Celsius, especially when tree cover constitutes 20-50% of the urban landscape. Furthermore, urban trees play a pivotal role in reducing solar radiation by 40-50% while absorbing a substantial 70-75% of solar energy, as per the department’s insights.

The Hanoi Department of Construction has proactively requested relevant units to formulate annual plans to increase the number of trees in urban areas, industrial parks, and along suburban roads and streets. This strategic initiative underscores the city’s commitment to creating a greener and more sustainable future.

In addition to planting trees, the department has also prioritized the removal of old, decaying, and misshapen trees, ensuring that the urban landscape remains safe and aesthetically pleasing. This proactive approach to maintenance reflects the city’s dedication to the well-being of its residents and the preservation of the environment.

“Hanoi has intensified its efforts in tree care and safety, particularly during the rainy and stormy seasons,” affirmed Nguyen Phi Thuong, Director of the Hanoi Construction Department. She further elaborated on the city’s plans to replace aesthetically displeasing or unsafe trees, stating, “We will carefully examine and replace old, stunted, or leaning trees that do not meet our aesthetic standards, as well as address any safety concerns posed by dead trees.”

While acknowledging the necessity of removing old and rotten trees to prevent accidents, Thuong emphasized the importance of preserving Hanoi’s iconic big old trees, stating, “These trees are a symbolic representation of our city, and we will ensure their care and regular inspection for preservation.”