Do Thu Hang, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Finance, said on October 5 that the city was appraising the investment proposal before submitting it for consideration and approval.
She stressed that previously announced details were part of the investor's initial proposal and did not represent the city's final decision.
The appraisal council asked the investor to review the project's scale, taking into account existing land use and its potential impact on organisations, households and individuals within the proposed site.
The review resulted in a preliminary area of about 300 hectares, down from the originally proposed 580.74 hectares.
Hang said the figure remained preliminary, with the project's exact size and boundaries to be determined through an approved detailed plan. Residents will be consulted during the planning process.
The project must also undergo further procedures after investment approval before its final scale, boundaries and components can be determined.
The initial proposal by Sun Property Group JSC envisaged a VND 10 trillion (USD 380 million) eco-tourism and safari complex in Ba Vi Commune, with a 50-year operating period.
The original 580.74-hectare plan was divided into two phases and designed to receive about five million visitors annually after the first phase and 10 million after full completion.
The initial study area affected about 852 households and nearly 4,000 people, while the second phase included 82.75 hectares of residential land requiring substantial resettlement.
Authorities have also requested further assessment of the project's environmental impact because of its proximity to Ba Vi National Park, as well as its potential effects on forests and forestry land.
Transport links, water supply, drainage and wastewater treatment must also be studied further to ensure the project does not place excessive pressure on local infrastructure.