May 8 - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved plans to develop the capital, Hanoi, into one of the top cities in Southeast Asia in 40 years. The plan foresees a capital 13 times larger than its present size that will serve as the country’s political, cultural and economic center.

Under the new plan, Hanoi Capital Region (HNCR) will include Hanoi plus the seven provinces of Ha Tay, Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Ha Nam and Hoa Binh.

The population of the capital is expected to increase to 18 -18.2 million by 2050 while urban population will swell to 4.5 million in 2010 and about 8.1-9.2 million in 2020.

HNCR will cover an area of about 13,000 square kilometers divided into three sections: the Central Core, the outer Adjacent Area and a Counterpoise Area.
The Adjacent Area will serve as Hanoi’s green belt – the source of agricultural products and food to the city – in addition to supporting the development of the Central Core. It is also slated to develop small-scale industries, trade villages and tourism services.

The Counterpoise area will cover 60 km starting from the outskirts of the Adjacent Area. The capital will expand in three directions covering three urban zones: the South, North and East of the Red River.

The industrial center of Hanoi will be focused in the eastern area to provinces of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh while new satellite urban zones will be located in Bac Thang Long, Nam Thang Long, Bo De and Yen Vien.

The development plans detail action for tourist development, social services and technical infrastructure that hopes to improve on transportation, flood prevention, electricity, water and sanitation.