The Underground Tunnel Proposal: Hanoi’s Department of Construction and Expert Insights

Following the Trend

Mr. Tran Ngoc Chinh, former Deputy Minister of Construction and Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Development Planning Association, stated that the idea of building a tunnel under the Red River has been proposed for decades, and he believes it aligns with the city’s development trajectory.

According to Mr. Chinh, Hanoi’s current urban and transportation infrastructure is solely focused on ground-level development, leading to congestion. In contrast, the underground space remains underutilized and lacks comprehensive planning. Consequently, when the idea of underground construction or the need for subterranean structures arises, the authorities and advisory agencies often find themselves in a state of uncertainty, and it becomes challenging to achieve consensus among different sectors and scientific associations.

Commenting on the proposal to build a tunnel under West Lake to connect with the Tu Lien Bridge, Mr. Chinh expressed his support, stating that such a project would yield significant benefits. This solution would allow for a straight approach to the Tu Lien Bridge instead of the current sharp turn.

“The intersection with Nghi Tam Street is a crossroad, so if the Tu Lien Bridge approach ends there, vehicles will need to make a wide turn, which is not only dangerous but also detracts from the aesthetic value of the architectural work and reduces the efficiency of investment and exploitation,” Mr. Chinh explained.

Mr. Chinh emphasized the need to consider the high costs of constructing a tunnel under the lake and the importance of balancing urban development with preserving the natural values of West Lake. Nonetheless, he expressed his support for the tunnel project from the perspective of the Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Development Planning Association.

Dr. Truong Van Quang, Vice President of the Vietnam Urban Architecture Institute, concurred that there are significant benefits for transportation and urban infrastructure. The discussion about building tunnels under rivers and lakes in Hanoi, including West Lake, has been ongoing for the past 20 years. Moreover, with Vietnam’s current technical expertise and conditions, the country is well-equipped to independently undertake such a project.

“West Lake, being within the urban area, cannot remain stagnant and must evolve. If we consider West Lake a scenic spot, a heritage site, and a ‘green lung,’ we must pay attention to certain aspects during development to avoid impacting the lake’s landscape and ecosystem,” Dr. Quang advised.

Incorporating Good Ideas into Planning

A member of the Hanoi Architects Association shared that building a tunnel under West Lake is a worthwhile idea that the city should thoroughly and seriously consider. If the project proves practical and there is no existing plan, it is the responsibility of the managing agency and specialized units to advise and propose its inclusion in the planning framework rather than simply rejecting it because it is not currently part of the plan.

“The idea of constructing tunnels under rivers and lakes, including West Lake, was proposed by JICA (Japan) and Korean construction corporations two decades ago. Unfortunately, these suggestions have not been received and earnestly studied by the responsible agencies in Hanoi,” the member of the Hanoi Architects Association remarked.

Commenting on the proposal to build a tunnel under West Lake, the member of the Hanoi Architects Association highlighted its potential benefits. Firstly, it would improve connectivity within and outside the city. Secondly, it would address the challenges posed by the Tu Lien Bridge’s connection to Nghi Tam Street. If the bridge’s approach is within the dike (as it is now), it would entail navigating various regulations of the Dike Law. Alternatively, if the approach is outside the dike, the infrastructure would be inconsistent with the city’s overall transportation network, requiring additional projects to rectify the situation.

However, Dr. Dao Ngoc Nghiem, Vice President of the Hanoi Planning and Architecture Association, offered a different perspective: “The current policy for constructing transportation projects in Hanoi discourages the building of bridges and tunnels over or under rivers and lakes. The reason is that such projects are highly complex, and the underground environment poses significant risks.”

“Regarding the Tran Hung Dao Bridge over the Red River, although the Central Government had indicated the possibility of constructing either a bridge or a tunnel, and for a while, the responsible agencies in Hanoi referred to it as the Tran Hung Dao Tunnel Project, they eventually changed it to the Tran Hung Dao Bridge Project after encountering numerous difficulties during the research phase,” Dr. Nghiem explained.