Incorporating non-traditional security factors into Hanoi's urban planning

Non-traditional security—such as flooding, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution—creates long-term challenges for Hanoi’s development. Integrating these risks into city planning is seen as essential to build a safer, more sustainable capital and improve residents’ quality of life.

On April 7 in Hanoi, the Government Portal Information Center, in collaboration with the Institute of Non-Traditional Security (School of Management and Business, Vietnam National University Hanoi), held the seminar “Hanoi City Planning – a 100-year vision from a non-traditional security perspective.”

Long-term challenges highlighted in Hanoi’s 100-year planning

Mr. Tran Ngoc Chinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Development Planning Association, said Hanoi’s 100-year planning reflects the nation’s aspiration and is based on the “Capital Hanoi 100-year Comprehensive Plan.” He noted, however, that non-traditional security issues have not been fully addressed.

According to Mr. Chinh, non-traditional security in cities—especially Hanoi—can be clearly seen in flooding, traffic problems, and urban environmental pollution. He said flooding and heavy rain disrupt transportation, worsen living conditions, raise disease risks, and directly affect the quality of life of residents.

On traffic, Mr. Chinh cited Hanoi’s population of nearly 10 million, with more than 1.5 million cars and 8 million motorcycles, excluding vehicles arriving from outside. He referenced plans for metro development—about 1,000 km of metro lines projected, with a target of 400 km by 2035—but said that to date only about 40 km has been built. With a projected population of 20 million, he warned that a poorly planned transportation system would not resolve internal congestion.

“Only when Hanoi no longer has motorcycles and residents travel by public transport can we effectively address Hanoi’s traffic. Thus, high-speed, high-capacity transport should be the main task, developed under a TOD model. Each satellite city must be linked to urban-space planning to fully serve social needs such as agencies, schools, hospitals… not simply as places where people come and then return to the center,” Mr. Chinh emphasized.

On environmental issues, he said the challenge is not limited to air quality but also includes the water environment. He noted that Hanoi is among the world’s most polluted capitals and warned that thousands of craft villages could undermine planning outcomes if village development is not aligned with environmental protection.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining river systems. In addition to the Red River, Hanoi has other rivers including Duong, Day, Tich, Nhuệ, To Lich, Set, and Lừ. Keeping these rivers “alive” and ensuring water flow, he said, should be reflected in planning. He called for non-traditional security planning content such as building maps of the non-traditional security system, including detailed maps of transportation and the environment, to support management and monitoring.

Risk assessment: floods, transport, pollution, and additional hazards

Prof. Mai Trong Nhuận, former director of Vietnam National University Hanoi, said Hanoi is located in a high-risk area. He stated that beyond flooding, traffic, and environmental pollution, the city faces other risks.

“First, hydroelectric dams act like 'water bombs,' dangerous if incidents occur. Second, although the probability is low, Hanoi lies on the Red River axis and still faces earthquake risk,” Mr. Nhuận said.

From concepts to concrete planning solutions

TS.KTS. Đào Ngọc Nghiêm, Vice President of the Vietnam Urban Planning Association, said current planning thinking remains largely focused on traditional security—public safety and traditional defense—while non-traditional security has not been concretized in drawings or zoning. He said research institutes and experts need new approaches to translate the concept into tangible urban-design solutions.

Nguyễn Trung Dũng from the Institute for Rural Planning and Design argued that planning aims to move toward sustainable and safe urban development, and that solutions for sustainability and safety are already included in proposals. However, he said these solutions have not been examined through a cross-cutting lens that connects traditional and non-traditional security. He called for security and safety to be addressed from a dedicated perspective alongside long-term strategic planning and Hanoi’s 100-year capital plan.

He added that non-traditional security is abstract and cannot be addressed only through general guidance. “We must materialize them through a material system,” he said, arguing that planning should develop infrastructure for security and safety, including facilities, spatial systems, and accompanying technical standards.

He cited disaster management as an example: while there are many solutions, spatial planning and material terms still lack supporting infrastructure. He said foreign rescue experiences should be integrated with multipurpose facilities and underground structures to support disaster response and sheltering.

In practical terms, he said city planning should include spaces for rescue and relief during disasters, areas suitable for large crowds, and airports capable of landing and resupplying—spaces that must be materialized within urban space. He said this infrastructure system is not currently treated as a main, formal infrastructure alongside technical infrastructure and construction sites.

International experience and expectations for Hanoi

Maksim Kurilov, First Secretary at the Russian Embassy in Vietnam, shared Moscow’s experience as a modern city that learns from international planning. He said Moscow emphasizes public transport, including a continuously operating metro network that reduces private car use and helps maintain social order. He also noted the use of smart-city technology such as surveillance cameras and resident support programs, including integrating housing with public utilities.

Mr. Kurilov said he hopes Hanoi can study and apply these experiences in its development and renewal.