Redefining the Hong River: Van Phu – Deo Ca Unveils Visionary Development Plan for the “Hong River Scenic Axis”

Proactive and Methodical Approach: Taking Concrete Actions

In response to the directives from the Hanoi People’s Committee in Official Dispatch No. 435/TB-VP dated July 17, 2025, and Official Dispatch No. 559/TB-VP dated September 5, 2025, regarding the implementation of the “Red River Scenic Axis” project, the consortium comprising Van Phu Investment and Development Joint Stock Company and Deo Ca Group Joint Stock Company has been tasked with conducting comprehensive research and planning for the project.

Immediately upon receiving the assignment, recognizing the project’s large scale, complexity, and interdisciplinary nature, the consortium initiated a series of in-depth research and expert workshops. In August 2025, Van Phu and Deo Ca conducted their second field survey in Chongqing, China, to study exemplary riverside infrastructure projects. They also engaged domestic and international consultants to contribute to the project’s research.

Within just over three months of receiving the task, the consortium demonstrated a serious, urgent, and proactive work ethic. Research, surveys, and design phases were executed concurrently, with a focus on developing a comprehensive planning vision for the Red River Scenic Axis.

Strategic Vision: Red River – A Millennium Convergence of Thang Long’s Essence

At the second progress report conference, representatives of the consortium—Mr. So Long Phi, Senior Planning Expert (Chongqing Urban Planning Commission, Chongqing Urban Development Association), and M.Arch. Sam Minh Tuan, Vice Director of the Urban Design Research Institute (Ministry of Construction)—presented detailed research findings.

Ms. Nguyen Dieu Tu, Vice Chairwoman of Van Phu Investment and Development JSC, presented the consortium’s proposal.

The consulting team benchmarked the Red River against 22 iconic riverside cities worldwide, including Hudson (New York), Thames (London), Seine (Paris), Huangpu (Shanghai), Pearl (Guangzhou), Wuhan, and Chongqing, to draw international lessons and propose suitable development strategies.

The strategic vision is clear: Position the Red River as a millennium convergence of Thang Long-Hanoi’s essence, driving a creative economy and distinctive urban identity, while becoming a global hub for knowledge and sustainable development.

Comprehensive perspective of the “Red River Scenic Axis”

To realize this vision, a detailed strategic goal has been outlined across three urban upgrading phases: establishing a Central Green Axis in the Capital; developing a Riverside Creative Cultural Zone; and creating a World-Class Riverside Urban Showcase.

Building on this long-term vision, a Comprehensive Strategic Framework has been developed to address six critical issue groups simultaneously.

Holistic Strategic Solutions: Safety – Ecology – Transportation – Functionality – Economy – Culture

Specifically, for safety, the goal is to create a riverside city harmoniously integrated with water; for ecology, to foster a green and sustainable riverside environment; for transportation, to build a comprehensive connectivity system; for functionality, to ensure a harmonious blend of urban functions and realize the value of riverside areas; for economy, to establish a sustainable investment framework; and for culture, to create public spaces and landscapes rooted in local identity.

From these core principles, four main strategic groups with 12 specific solutions have been proposed.

The Sustainable Safety Strategy focuses on combining flexible “hard-soft-smart” solutions to create a multi-layered flood defense system, segmented protection, and graded utilization for resilient riverside spaces, alongside flood control structures integrated with green elements.

The High-Performance Connectivity Strategy emphasizes improving riverside accessibility through multi-layered transportation networks, separating fast and slow traffic flows to enhance overall efficiency and diversify transportation modes.

The Product Vitality Strategy aims to integrate functional zones to revitalize riverside spaces, promote sustainable development through circular and modular approaches, and address infrastructure gaps to enhance living quality.

Finally, the Cultural Development Strategy focuses on rediscovering the “Mother River’s” origins, leveraging the Red River’s historical and cultural resources, promoting cultural tourism, enhancing tourism consumption, and repositioning Hanoi as a global cultural exchange hub.

Modern Spatial Organization and Transportation Infrastructure

Alongside development strategies, riverside spatial organization is designed with a multi-tiered, multi-functional structure based on natural topography. Higher terraces accommodate urban developments; mid-terraces serve as flexible multi-functional spaces like parks and semi-flooded landscapes; and lower terraces form ecological floodplain parks where nature and urbanity converge.

Riverside spaces designed with a multi-tiered structure

A modern transportation system is planned with a multi-layered, multi-modal network including roads, railways, monorails, and waterways, connecting longitudinally and transversely across the river, separating fast and slow traffic to enhance accessibility, and seamlessly linking with urban functional zones and redeveloped residential areas.

Overall, the project will create three major functional zones, comprising eight park clusters and multiple central hubs. Planning components are integrated and detailed within key projects, including construction, landscaping, and cultural-festival activities.

Notably, the consortium proposes iconic architectural landmarks to define the future Red River space, such as the Global River Civilization Exchange Center; Red River Historical-Cultural Memory Museum; Contemporary Art Museum; Long Bien Bridge Museum-Sports Center; Creative Core-International Trade Center; Tourist Service Center; Ecological and Science Exhibition House; High-Rise Complex; and Traditional Village Art Museum.

Public spaces rooted in local identity and community engagement

Consortium Aims to Commence Construction in Q1/2026

The September 26 conference received guidance from the Committee leadership and input from departments, agencies, and local authorities on the project’s strategic direction. This forms a critical foundation for the consortium to proceed with:

Finalizing the proposal dossier and Feasibility Study Report for approval by the Hanoi People’s Committee.

Determining the project’s commencement plan and area by January 1, 2026, demonstrating unwavering commitment to realizing this key project as soon as possible.

The second progress report on the “Red River Scenic Axis” Comprehensive Development Strategy marks a significant milestone in the project’s implementation, underscoring the shared determination of Hanoi and the investor consortium to create a modern, sustainable riverside axis, opening new development opportunities for Hanoi in the 21st century.

The “Red River Scenic Axis” project is expected to establish a “strategic backbone,” integrating transportation, urban, cultural, and ecological elements, revitalizing the entire riverside area. It will provide residents with safe, inspiring access to the river, creating Hanoi’s largest future public space.

Upon completion, this project will establish a new scenic and economic axis, reshaping the capital’s urban landscape. It exemplifies Hanoi’s and Vietnam’s spirit of innovation and development aspirations. Importantly, the project commemorates the 14th National Party Congress, directly contributing to realizing the Party’s strategic goal: making Vietnam a strong, prosperous, and happy nation by 2045.