Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh today (January 14) approved a project of Hanoi authorities to use the Red River water to cleanse and revive To Lich River.

At the fifth meeting on the socio-economic growth of the Red River Delta region, the Prime Minister urged ministries to work with Hanoi to finalize and present the proposal as soon as possible.

"In case of emergency, Hanoi is authorized to allocate funds and select investors as per its jurisdiction," he said.

Earlier this month, the Hanoi People’s Committee proposed that the Government accept its project to channel water from the Red River into the To Lich River.

The city will fund the project, which is estimated to cost some VND550 billion (US$21.7 million) and get completed by September 2025.

The restoration of the To Lich River will improve urban landscapes, and reduce environmental pollution for the city, the municipal government wrote in its statement submitted to the Prime Minister.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh also said that the city will soon inaugurate the construction of key bridges over the Red River, including Tu Lien Bridge, Tran Hung Dao Bridge, and Ngoc Hoi Bridge.

"Once completed, these bridges will create significant space for the development of Hanoi and neighboring localities," he said.

Chairman Thanh also called on the Government, ministries and related agencies to streamline administrative procedures to save time and reduce costs.

"Currently, too many ministries, government agencies, and local departments are involved in reviewing a single issue, causing delays in administrative processes," he said.

He suggested that feedback should only be required from two or three departments.

"Double-digit" growth for the region

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the Red River Delta region's GRDP growth would reach at least 8% by 2025, with double-digit growth in the following years.

In 2024, the region's annual GRDP growth rate was approximately 7.9%, surpassing the national average of 7.09%, ranking second among six economic regions.

The provinces of Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh, and the major cities of Haiphong and Hanoi were among the top five provinces nationwide for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). Notably, Bac Ninh led the country, while Quang Ninh secured the second place in FDI attraction for the first time.

To achieve these goals, the Prime Minister urged Hanoi and other provinces in the region to address governance issues, refine their operational structures, and have new systems in place by Q1/2025.

Sciences, technologies, and innovations are also critical factors to drive the region’s socio-economic growth, he said.

"Regional localities must make the best use of all available resources, and use public investment as a catalyst to attract private investors," the Prime Minister said.

"Efficient and sustainable regional connectivity, especially in transportation, is essential," he added.

The Prime Minister called for measures to improve inter-provincial and inter-regional transportation links, citing major projects such as the Ring Road No.4 – Hanoi Capital Region.

Regarding Hanoi's key bridges, he asked local authorities to begin construction for Phu Dong and Tu Lien bridges by the end of April.

He also set deadlines for commencing other major transportation projects in 2025, including the remaining sections of the Ninh Binh – Nam Dinh – Thai Binh – Haiphong expressway, the Van Cao – Hoa Lạc metro in Hanoi, and the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Haiphong railway.

Hanoi and neighboring provinces must take immediate actions to improve air and river quality, resolve traffic congestion, and tackle food safety issues, he said.

He requested that cities and provinces in the Red River Delta report to the Government by the end of Q1 on their plans for achieving these objectives.

For Hanoi, the Prime Minister recommended that the city develop a convention center for urban planning to promote transparency, attract investments, and make the best use of underground and water spaces.