More tree-lined streets are appearing in Hanoi, joining the older ones in the Old Quarter that have become symbols of the capital city, such as Hoang Dieu or Phan Dinh Phung. Public green spaces have never been more important in Hanoi, a densely populated city facing challenges from rapid urbanisation, climate change and air pollution. However, in the inner city, the land used for public and green spaces accounts for less than 2 per cent of the total land area. In recent years, Hanoi has paid attention to developing public and green spaces, such as growing more trees, building more parks and gardens and opening walking streets, but the spaces still need to meet the needs of the people. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Hanoi is planting more trees along its urban roads and has set a goal of 554,000 trees this year, with 200,000-250,000 new trees planted along urban traffic routes. This initiative is to help achieve the government's ambition to plant one billion trees throughout 2021-2025. In the city's inner districts, the land used for public and green spaces accounts for less than 2 per cent of the total land fund. For example, in the Hoan Kiem district, the average green space rate is only 0.1 sq.m per person. The city has targeted an average of public and green space of 3.02 sq.m per person for the central districts by 2030. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A section of Pham Van Dong Street in Bac Tu Liem district. Pham Van Dong Street is part of Belt Road No.3 around Hanoi. It got a big facelift after it was expanded, and a large number of trees were planted in several layers on both sides of the street and the median strip. The increase of green space in the city and along urban roads helps reduce dust, smoke, and noise and, at the same time, improves the urban landscape. Pham Van Dong, along with Vo Chi Cong, Van Cao, Hoang Quoc Viet, and Thang Long Boulevard, is some of the Hanoi streets that now have a greener look with the addition of trees. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The trees create a soothing green space under the giant concrete elevated road. Hanoi has set a target of growing around 554,000 trees this year, making it a key part of measures to cool down urban heat in the capital city and improve the living environment of residents. The Hanoi Party Committee has issued 2021 – 2025, aiming to renovate and upgrade 45 existing parks and flower gardens, build five new parks and flower gardens and upgrade 180 streets and sidewalks in 12 districts. Numerous environmentalists have voiced support for the need to increase tree coverage in Hanoi's metropolitan core and other areas. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The trees shelter pedestrians from the sun's heat and traffic's dust and smoke. The increase of green space in the city and along urban roads helps reduce dust, smoke, and noise and, at the same time, improves the urban landscape. A report showed that over 1.6 million trees had been planted in the city in the five years from 2016 to 2020, far exceeding the target of a city programme to plant one million trees. Pham Van Dong is among the streets in Hanoi that now have a greener look with the addition of trees. The city has targeted an average of public and green space of 3.02 sq.m per person for the central districts by 2030. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A view of Vo Nguyen Giap road, the main route from Noi Bai international airport to Hanoi's downtown. The tree-growing programme has made Hanoi greener and fresher, contributing to shading the streets and curbing the harmful effects of radiation on people. Hanoi has set a target of planting around 554,000 trees this year, which is a key part of measures to cool down urban heat in the capital city and improve the living environment of residents. Public green spaces have never been more important in Hanoi, a densely populated city facing challenges from rapid urbanisation, climate change and air pollution. In the city's inner districts, the land used for public and green spaces accounts for less than 2 per cent of the total land fund. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The Trung Hoa Tunnel on Thang Long Boulevard. The increase of green space in the city and along urban roads helps reduce dust, smoke, and noise and, at the same time, improves the urban landscape. Besides parks and flower gardens, planting trees along urban roads is a good way to make the city greener. However, as of now, government units are the only ones accountable for planting trees, protecting trees, and maintaining trees. For this reason, every citizen must join together to plant new trees and maintain the health of those already there so that the trees can mature into a robust barrier that protects the environment. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Experts said trees and water surfaces in urban areas could help reduce the air temperature by 3.3 degrees Celsius if the tree coverage rate accounts for 20-50 per cent of the urban land area. Urban trees can also help reduce 40-50 per cent of solar radiation and absorb 70-75 per cent of solar energy. Towards the goal of raising the average rate of public and green space to 3.02 sq.m per person in the central districts by 2030, the city has set a plan to plant 200,000-250,000 new trees for shade and timber trees along urban traffic routes; 200,000 fruit trees, and about 50-80 ha of forests in 2022. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Numerous environmentalists have voiced support for developing green roads in Hanoi, which helps increase tree coverage in the city's urban areas. In addition to considerably aiding in environmental conservation and enhancing people's quality of life, a city's cultural and tourism qualities will increase as its tree population grows. In urban districts of the capital, the ratio of trees is only about 1sq.m per person at present, while the targeted rate is 7sq.m per person by 2030. Hanoi has set a target of planting around 554,000 trees this year, which is a key part of measures to cool down urban heat in the capital city and improve the living environment of residents. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The trees along the roads in Hanoi not only help reduce dust, smoke, and noise but also provide much-needed shelter from the scorching sunlight in summer in Hanoi. Experts said trees and water surfaces in urban areas could help reduce the air temperature by 3.3 degrees Celsius if the tree coverage rate accounts for 20-50 per cent of the urban land area. Urban trees can also help reduce 40-50 per cent of solar radiation and absorb 70-75 per cent of solar energy. For this reason, the city has paid attention to developing public and green spaces, such as growing trees, building more parks and gardens and opening walking streets. (Photo: VietnamPlus) VNA
