Hundreds of high-rise projects in central Hanoi that had been put on hold were given the go-ahead by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the weekend.

Last December, 220 building projects higher than eight stories in four inner-city districts were halted at the behest of the Prime Minister in a bid to preserve the architectural integrity of the capital and reduce congestion.

However, only those projects that received construction licences before December 12 last year have been given the go-ahead. The fate of those that were only approved in terms of investment and planning after that date will be decided by Hanoi People's Committee chairman Nguyen The Thao.

In addition, those projects that could run counter to the capital's 2030 development master plan, which is expected to be approved by the National Assembly by the end of this year, will have to be modified to meet the new regulations.

The Prime Minister said more land in the city should be made available for parks, trees and public buildings to improve the quality of urban life.

Professor Dang Hung Vo, former deputy minister of Natural Resources and Environment, applauded last December's ban.

He said no other countries in the world allowed buildings higher than tree level to be built next to ancient structures.

However, many thought an outright ban would have a negative impact on enterprises.

Duong Duc Tuan, deputy director of the municipal Department of Planning and Investment, said earlier that the sudden suspension of 91 on-going projects in Dong Da, 60 in Ba Dinh, 53 in Hai Ba Trung and 19 in Hoan Kiem districts would waste money and resources./.