Parliamentarian proposes relocating residents from inner Hanoi to mitigate air pollution

Parliamentary deputies broadly supported the direction of the Draft Law on Hanoi’s Capital (amendments), particularly provisions aimed at decentralizing authority and empowering Hanoi’s government. They said the draft would grant the capital additional powers, including the authority to draft and issue normative legal documents and to pilot mechanisms and policies with special characteristics, which they believe could help Hanoi develop more quickly and flexibly.

Decentralization needs stronger checks and capacity

Deputy Ta Van Ha, from the Da Nang City delegation, said that while the draft expands Hanoi’s authority, it must be paired with more stringent oversight. He proposed a comprehensive assessment of the administration’s implementation capacity, with particular focus on the policy-advising workforce.

He emphasized that this workforce requires high professional qualifications, relevant experience, and the ability to match the scope of the delegated powers. In addition, Hanoi should develop a plan to train, nurture, and attract high-quality human resources, and establish effective inspection and supervision mechanisms to ensure openness, transparency, and accountability among leaders.

Deputy Ta Van Ha also called for clearer evaluation mechanisms, including how pilot policies are reviewed and summarized, and how implementation is monitored. He said timely monitoring and evaluation should serve as the basis for selecting, refining, and expanding pilot models that prove suitable.

Feasibility concerns over project dossier timelines

Deputy Do Duc Hong Ha, from the Hanoi City delegation, proposed continuing to improve certain provisions to ensure feasibility, especially those related to dossiers for major projects in Hanoi.

He noted that the National Assembly’s adoption of Resolution No. 258/2025/QH15 on piloting special mechanisms and policies for large projects in Hanoi has created a favorable legal framework to accelerate project progress. However, he said practical implementation still faces “knotty issues” for the city government, investors, and contractors.

Six-month deadline may be unrealistic for complex projects

Among the issues, Deputy Do Duc Hong Ha highlighted a rule requiring completion of project dossiers within six months from groundbreaking. He argued that for projects of especially large scale and complexity, a six-month deadline is not feasible.

He proposed that the drafting agency study and determine the dossier completion time in a way that can be decided by the city government—specifically the Hanoi People’s Council—based on each project’s scale, nature, and practical conditions.

Expected impact of more flexible arrangements

Deputy Do Duc Hong Ha said that flexible dossier timelines would help agencies, units, and investors prepare dossiers more fully and carefully. He added that this would support more accurate assessment of investment efficiency, funding feasibility, project progress, and planning and design solutions, thereby reducing the risk of errors or waste caused by rushing.