People began arriving before 7 am at health centres across the city, where they received blood pressure checks, blood and urine tests, X-rays and consultations with specialists.
The programme officially began on July 1 and is the largest public health screening initiative ever undertaken by the capital.
Tieu Ngoc Chien, head of the Ba Dinh Ward Health Station, said the clinic, working with Saint Paul General Hospital, planned to examine about 600 residents over the first two days.
Many elderly residents welcomed the programme, saying it made healthcare more accessible and allowed doctors to identify potential health problems before symptoms became serious.
Within three hours of opening, staff had carried out more than 100 X-rays as medical teams worked to reduce waiting times.
In the first phase, the programme will prioritise nearly 1.7 million people, including older adults, people with disabilities, low-income households and those with chronic illnesses. Children under six and informal workers will also be covered, bringing the initial target group to more than two million.
Health authorities said local governments had been instructed to compile beneficiary lists and ensure all examination results are uploaded to residents' electronic health records for long-term health management.
Nguyen Trong Dien, director of the Hanoi Department of Health, said the programme would improve early disease detection and bring healthcare closer to residents.
