Hanoi aims to increase per capita green space five-fold

Trees along Hanoi's Thang Long avenue.
Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

Hanoi plans to plant between 200,000-250,000 trees in 2024, targeting a five-fold increase in green space to 8-10 m2 per person by 2025.

The plan was mentioned in the recently-issued 2024 socio-economic scheme from Hanoi People’s Committee. Between 100,000 and 120,000 trees are set to be planted in Feb. 2024, with the remaining number planted throughout the year, before Oct.

The new trees will be planted at historical and cultural sites, new urban areas, and public buildings, as well as along transportation routes.

Hanoi’s statistics showed that the city has planted over 783,000 trees since 2021, in response to the Prime Minister’s program to plant 1 billion trees across the country in the 2021-2025 period.

This makes the total number of urban trees in Hanoi reach 1.8 million and the city’s total forest area reach nearly 18,600 hectares, with the forest coverage rate approaching 6%. However, the city’s urban green space ratio currently stands at about 2 m2 per capita only, while the standard for Type 1 and special cities is at least 6-7 m2 per capita.

Reports regarding gardens and parks in the city were also mentioned in the plan. The city has completed the renovation process of five gardens: Truc Bach in Ba Dinh District, Hoang Van Thu in Hoang Mai District, Dien Hong in Hoan Kiem District, Ngoc Lam in Long Bien District, and Le Truc in Ba Dinh District.

Five new parks in the districts of Cau Giay, Ha Dong, Long Bien, and Nam Tu Liem have also been built. Meanwhile, the renovation plans of three major parks - Thong Nhat, Thu Le, and Bach Thao - have been approved.