Hanoi is not only the nation’s political and administrative center, but also a distinctive cultural - ecological space shaped and developed through a long relationship with the natural conditions of the Red River Delta. A dense network of rivers, lakes, and ponds; low mountain and hill ranges to the northwest and west; and the peri - urban agricultural - village ecosystems have together formed the Capital’s unique spatial structure of “river - lake - village - street.” From the perspective of Hanoi Studies, the environment is not merely a natural foundation but also a constitutive component of urban identity, shaping settlement patterns, livelihoods, culture, and ways of life over many centuries.

Entering a period of rapid urbanization, industrialization, and expansion of administrative space, Hanoi has come under increasingly visible environmental pressures. However, viewed in a balanced and scientific manner, the Capital’s environment should not be seen only as a picture of pollution; rather, it is first and foremost a dynamic system undergoing adjustment, recovery, and restructuring. Today’s environmental issues reflect the downsides of growth while simultaneously demanding a renewed approach to urban development - one that is more harmonious among economic, social, and ecological dimensions.

          Hanoi’s water environment plays a critical ecological role in urban functioning, strongly influencing spatial structure, microclimate, and residents’ quality of life. The Red River corridor, together with the Duong River, Day River, Nhue River, To Lich River, and hundreds of lakes of different sizes, forms a rich hydrological network that not only provides water resources but also helps regulate microclimate and shape urban landscapes. In practice, water quality in the Red River section flowing through Hanoi has generally been maintained at a moderate-to-good level; several large lakes such as West Lake, Suoi Hai, and Dong Mo continue to serve as important ecological and cultural spaces. Nevertheless, some inner-city rivers and smaller lakes are under pressure from domestic wastewater - especially in the dry season - leading to localized organic pollution and eutrophication. The core issue is not a shortage of water resources, but rather the way urban space is organized and the fact that wastewater collection and treatment systems have not kept pace with the city’s development.

Hanoi’s air environment bears the clear characteristics of a major city in the Northern Delta, with marked seasonal variation. Transitional periods and the low - rainfall winter season often record elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter due to unfavorable meteorological conditions, while air quality improves significantly during the rainy season. The main pressures come from urban traffic, construction activities, craft villages, and high population density, whereas toxic-gas indicators such as SO₂, NO₂, and CO generally remain within permissible limits. This suggests that Hanoi’s air-quality challenge is primarily associated with dust control and the rational organization of traffic and urban space, rather than heavy industrial pollution - and therefore remains improvable if appropriate solutions are implemented in an integrated manner.

          Hanoi’s soil environment and ecological spaces clearly reflect the transition from a traditional agricultural - village landscape to an expanded, multifunctional urban structure. Land conversion for urbanization is an inevitable trend for a developing capital; however, Hanoi still maintains a relatively large proportion of agricultural land, green space, and water surfaces compared to many megacities in the region. Soil pollution is generally localized, concentrated around certain waste-treatment sites, former industrial zones, or traditional craft villages, and has not spread widely over large areas. Notably, the Ba Vi - Soc Son mountain ecosystems and the semi - mountainous and peri - urban rural zones continue to function as “ecological belts,” helping to balance environmental conditions and providing room for greener development across the metropolis.

          From this reality, Hanoi is gradually shifting from an end-of-pipe pollution treatment mindset toward a more integrated and proactive approach to environmental management. Alongside long-term orientations in urban planning and infrastructure, many concrete measures have been and continue to be implemented, particularly in improving the quality of inner - city rivers and lakes. A notable example is the pollution treatment and ecological restoration programs for the To Lich River, a waterway long associated with Hanoi’s history and urban memory. The city has invested in constructing wastewater collection systems along both banks to progressively separate domestic wastewater from the river’s natural flow, while simultaneously researching and piloting solutions for water replenishment, bottom - sediment treatment, and biologically oriented water-quality improvement. The objective is not merely to reduce pollution in the short term, but to restore the river’s ecological and landscape functions within the urban spatial structure.

The To Lich River section in the area of Bang Pagoda

thuongIn parallel with the To Lich River, many inner - city lakes have been included in comprehensive rehabilitation programs involving sediment dredging, water circulation and replenishment, control of pollution sources around the lakes, and integrated landscape enhancement. These measures are gradually improving water quality while also increasing the value of public spaces, creating favorable conditions for community activities, cultural life, and environmental education. On a broader scale, Hanoi continues to expand centralized wastewater treatment plants, strengthen drainage zoning, and control pollution sources directly at the residential level - clearly demonstrating a transition from a “treat pollution after it occurs” approach to integrated management of river basins and urban space.

thuongAlong with improvements to the water environment, the development of green transport and open spaces has been identified as a key solution to reducing pressure on air quality. Expanding clean public transportation, gradually reducing dependence on private vehicles, and connecting parks and regulating lakes into an interconnected network of green and blue spaces not only help improve environmental indicators, but also enhance urban quality of life in a sustainable and human-centered direction.

thuongFrom the perspective of Hanoi Studies, the environment is viewed as a central axis of urban life, where the relationships among people, space, and history are expressed. This perspective helps the environment of Hanoi be understood as an integral part of everyday life, closely linked to urban civic awareness and responsibility toward future generations. When the environment is regarded as a shared asset, Hanoi is better positioned to move toward a green and sustainable living space, commensurate with its status as the Capital.