In the Master Plan for
the Capital City with a 100-year vision, the Red River is identified as a
strategic spatial axis, serving not only transportation and urban development
but also as a highlight for tourism, ecology, and culture, connecting major
landscape spaces of Hanoi -
Hanoi Tours
With a long-term vision, the Red River axis is identified not only as a central
ecological corridor but also as a new symbolic axis for cultural, tourism, and
service development in the capital. This is the first time that the river, which
has been closely associated with the history of Thang Long - Hanoi for thousands
of years, has been placed in a central position in the urban development
structure, instead of just being a flood drainage space and a natural boundary.
According to published plans and guidelines, the Red River axis will be
organized as a continuous landscape boulevard, connecting cultural, historical,
and creative spaces on both banks, from the Ba Vi - Son Tay area, through Co
Loa, the historical inner city, to the eastern gateway region.
Along this axis, the city prioritizes the development of open public spaces,
riverside parks, cultural squares, pedestrian walkways, tourist boat docks , and
viewpoints, gradually creating a "riverfront" for Hanoi - something the capital
has lacked for many decades.
In terms of tourism, the Red River axis is considered the backbone for
restructuring urban tourism products, connecting heritage with contemporary
experiences. Key destinations such as Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Old
Quarter, West Lake, Co Loa Citadel, ancient villages along the river, and the
sandbars in the middle of the Red River will no longer develop in isolation but
will be linked by interconnected waterway, road, and pedestrian zones. River
tourism - which is still relatively underdeveloped in Hanoi - is expected to
become a new distinctive product, complementing heritage and cultural tourism.
Notably, the Red River axis planning emphasizes the element of creative culture.
The riverbanks, sandbars, and areas along the dike are oriented for flexible
exploitation for festivals, art performances, outdoor exhibitions, and
large-scale tourism and cultural events, thereby breathing new life into the
riverine landscape that has been "frozen" for a long time. This also forms the
basis for creating "event destinations" - a trend being pursued by many major
cities around the world .
Alongside tourism, the Red River basin is also identified as a crucial
ecological space, playing a role in regulating climate, protecting biodiversity,
and improving urban quality of life. Development projects along the river must
strictly adhere to regulations on flood control, ecosystem conservation,
limiting concrete construction, and prioritizing green architecture and low-rise
buildings. This is a key condition for sustainable riverside tourism
development, avoiding the repetition of short-term exploitation models that put
pressure on the environment.
From an economic and tourism perspective, the formation of the Red River axis is
considered to open up new growth opportunities for Hanoi's tourism industry,
extend the length of stay of tourists, disperse the flow of visitors away from
the overcrowded inner city, and create more experiential spaces for the people.
When seamlessly integrated with strategic transportation axes and satellite
urban systems, the Red River axis not only serves inner-city tourism but also
plays a regional linking role, connecting Hanoi with neighboring tourism centers
in the Capital Region.
Clearly, the Red River axis is not simply a planning project, but a new
development declaration for Hanoi: bringing the river heritage back to the
center of urban life, transforming the historical river into a driving force for
tourism, culture, and creativity, contributing to shaping the image of the
capital city in the long-term development phase.
Source:
https://hanoitraveltour.com/news/unlocking-red-river-potential-for-hanoi-tourism-development.htm
