Hanoi is set to increase the maximum height of apartment buildings to 40 stories in a bid to resolve long-standing obstacles in redeveloping aging residential complexes. This strategy will be implemented in key areas like Thanh Cong, Giang Vo, and Ngoc Khanh, where urban renewal efforts have faced repeated delays.

New redevelopment plan approved

The Hanoi People’s Committee has authorized Ba Dinh District to finalize planning for these three old apartment complexes by March 31, 2025, with Ngoc Khanh’s plan to be completed by May 2025.

The draft urban renewal plan permits higher building density while maintaining no increase in population and ensuring no additional strain on infrastructure.

Once redevelopment is complete:

Thanh Cong will shrink from 68 low-rise blocks (2–5 floors) to just 24 high-rises, with the tallest reaching 40 stories.

Giang Vo will be reduced from 22 blocks to 11 (excluding four already renovated buildings).

Ngoc Khanh will downsize from 36 blocks to 9.

Why taller buildings?

Ba Dinh District officials emphasized that increasing building heights would create more commercial space to:

Accommodate residents seeking larger apartments in new developments.

Generate attractive investment opportunities for developers through commercial and service areas.

Ensure that redevelopment projects remain financially viable, attracting high-caliber investors.

The Hanoi Department of Planning and Architecture supports high-rise construction, provided it does not increase population density and includes enhanced infrastructure to support urban growth.

Ensuring sustainable development

Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Duong Duc Tuan, highlighted the need for innovative approaches in urban renewal. The redevelopment plan will incorporate green spaces, underground infrastructure, and modernized urban landscapes.

In Thanh Cong, the core areas will feature taller residential towers, creating architectural landmarks aligned with Hanoi’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) strategy, as defined in the Capital Law.

For Giang Vo, authorities are considering high-rise commercial and service centers along Giang Vo and Kim Ma streets, transforming the area into a modern urban hub.

Experts back the high-rise approach

Architect Tran Huy Anh, a senior member of the Hanoi Architects Association, believes the 40-story solution is a necessary breakthrough for Hanoi’s long-stalled redevelopment efforts.

“Constructing a 40-story building requires a different level of expertise than a 30-story one,” Anh explained. “To succeed, developers must ensure seamless infrastructure integration without increasing population density or overloading city systems.”

Anh emphasized that only experienced, financially capable investors should take on such large-scale projects. Cities like Bangkok (Thailand) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) have already adopted similar urban redevelopment models, favoring top-tier developers to ensure high-quality housing for global citizens.

With this high-rise strategy, Hanoi hopes to finally overcome bureaucratic delays and accelerate the long-overdue modernization of its aging apartment complexes.

N. Huyen