Hanoi adds greenery to transport infrastructure to reduce urban heat

Vietnam's capital is stepping up efforts to plant more trees and greenery around transport infrastructure and public spaces to improve the urban landscape, reduce heat and enhance environmental quality.

The Hanoi Department of Construction has directed local agencies to design and pilot greening projects across key transport infrastructure. The initiative will target three urban railway pillars along Nguyen Trai Street, the Le Van Luong-To Huu underpass, the Le Van Luong-Lang Ha overpass, and various downtown bus shelters.

Greenery has already been successfully integrated into several of the city's existing transport facilities. Along Thang Long Boulevard, thousands of date palms currently line both sides of the underpasses and the central median. These palms serve as the primary canopy for the area, sheltering a diverse layer of smaller plant species cultivated beneath them.

The 600-meter Trung Hoa underpass, featuring three traffic lanes across each of its 12-meter-wide sides, is now lined with climbing plants cascading down its concrete walls.

Above the facility, various trees and flowers are planted in tiered layers, including Wrightia religiosa, crinum lilies, Arabian jasmine, hibiscus, canna lilies, and crepe myrtles.

The route is primarily planted with Vernonia elliptica, a fast-growing climber known for its soft, naturally cascading branches. As the plants mature, they create lush green curtains that provide shade, filter dust, and cool the surrounding environment.

The cascading foliage can extend 4–5 m downward. Watering schedules are adjusted according to weather conditions and the season. In summer and autumn, plants are typically watered at night or in the early morning.

Clusters of slender-stemmed bamboo currently line the base of the overpass at the Le Van Luong-Lang Ha intersection. Authorities are now planning a pilot project to cover the bridge's supporting walls with climbing plants.

The greenery will span approximately 200 sq.m, strategically divided into sections to complement the structure's existing architecture.

At the intersection of National Highways 5 and 1, rows of small-leaved tropical almond trees—also known as Taiwan almonds—line the median and both sides of the approach roads.

Spaced approximately three meters apart, the trees form a continuous green corridor.

Vehicles traveling from National Highway 5 toward Bac Ninh pass beneath the shade of trees along the route as they approach Hanoi's eastern gateway.

On the afternoon of Oct. 9, workers planted several species, including Monstera deliciosa, silver pothos, spider plants, and lantana, in pots attached to steel frames around the pillars of the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway.

Under the plan, the plants will climb the frames to cover the pillars in greenery without attaching directly to the concrete.

This approach is designed to improve the urban landscape and reduce concrete surface temperatures.

A section of Ring Road 2 has also been covered with densely planted layers of greenery along both sides. An automatic irrigation system maintains moisture levels and supports plant growth.

At the Vo Chi Cong-Hoang Quoc Viet-Hoang Hoa Tham intersection, various plants grow beneath the overpass, around the roundabout, and along the ramps leading to the elevated roadway.

Viewed from above, the vegetation forms a sprawling green space that significantly enhances the surrounding landscape.

These pilot projects follow a broader municipal plan to expand Hanoi's network of trees, parks, flower gardens, and water bodies.

The ongoing initiative includes specific measures to integrate more greenery into transport infrastructure, architectural structures, and streets across the capital.