Hanoi plans to prioritise one main shade tree species along each street to create a more consistent urban landscape, improve greenery and simplify maintenance.
The Hanoi People's Committee has approved a plan for managing and developing the capital's trees, parks, gardens and waterways, including new guidelines for planting along streets and major roads.
Hanoi has more than 1,000 streets and roads featuring a wide variety of trees. However, the mixture of species along individual streets has sometimes resulted in inconsistent landscapes and complicated maintenance.
Under the plan, each street will generally have one dominant shade tree species, with up to two permitted in special cases.
Tree selection and planting arrangements will take into account road and pavement widths, surrounding architecture, traffic conditions and the characteristics of each area.
Trees along the same street will be arranged with consistent spacing, heights and canopies to create continuous green corridors and a more harmonious streetscape.
In the historic inner city, priority will be given to medium-sized trees with compact canopies and deep roots, helping protect pavements and underground infrastructure.
Major roads, boulevards and ring roads will favour broad-canopied species that provide shade, tolerate pollution and help reduce urban temperatures.
On commercial streets, shade trees will be combined with low-growing ornamental plants while maintaining visibility and access to shops.
Residential areas will prioritise trees with balanced canopies that shed fewer leaves and fruits and produce no unpleasant odours.
Historic and cultural areas will favour species associated with Hanoi's heritage and traditional streetscapes.
Meanwhile, new urban areas will prioritise fast-growing, low-maintenance trees, while major transport corridors and industrial zones will focus on species that help reduce dust and noise.
Six landscape categories for major streets
The plan identifies six landscape categories for central Hanoi's main streets, covering historic streets, lakeside routes, ceremonial avenues, residential and cultural areas, commercial streets and major transport corridors.
In the Ba Dinh-Hoan Kiem area, the city will prioritise preserving longstanding tree-lined streets and maintaining their distinctive character.
Phan Dinh Phung Street, known for its mature trees, will retain its established dracontomelon and Bischofia javanica trees, with additional grass and ornamental plants considered beneath them.
Dien Bien Phu Street will feature black hopea trees, seasonal flowers and low shrubs to complement the surrounding historic landscape.
Around Hoan Kiem Lake, streets including Hang Khay, Le Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang will continue to feature familiar species such as dracontomelon, crape myrtle and Barringtonia acutangula.
Thanh Nien Road, between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, will retain flamboyant and white bauhinia trees as its main species, complemented by ornamental flowers.
In the Ba Dinh area, Hung Vuong, Hoang Van Thu and Nguyen Tri Phuong streets will feature coordinated planting arrangements suited to their surroundings.
For residential and cultural streets, the city will prioritise maintaining established greenery while introducing complementary shrubs and flowering plants where appropriate.
Tran Hung Dao and Hai Ba Trung streets will continue to feature familiar shade trees, while Nguyen Du and Quan Su streets are included in the city's planting guidelines.
On commercial streets such as Ba Trieu and Pho Hue, shade trees will be combined with ornamental plants to create greener pedestrian environments.
Along the Cau Giay-Xuan Thuy corridor, where an elevated metro line operates, the plan proposes tropical almond and crape myrtle trees, alongside flowering shrubs and seasonal plants in central reservations.
For major transport routes, tree species will be selected for their shade, resilience and suitability for long stretches of roadway.
Vo Chi Cong and Vo Nguyen Giap roads, which form part of the route linking central Hanoi with Noi Bai International Airport, are expected to feature a combination of shade trees, flowering plants and palms.
The overall approach aims to improve urban greenery while creating distinctive landscapes suited to different parts of the capital.