Hanoi is racing against time with its drainage project.

Hanoi in April 2026 resembled a massive construction site as numerous key drainage projects were being hastily implemented. This was not only a race against time to escape the nightmare of "streets turning into rivers" after heavy rains, but also a testament to the patience of Hanoi residents in accepting the dust and grime in order to solve the long-standing flooding problem.

The construction sites never sleep.

Under the sweltering early summer sun, at the Thuy Phuong canal renovation construction site (in Dong Ngac ward), the roar of excavators and pile drivers blends with the bustling work of hundreds of workers and engineers.

Construction of a drainage system on a street in Hanoi.

With a total investment of over 920 billion VND approved by the Hanoi People's Committee, the project is a complex system of modern box culverts connecting the Hoang Minh Thao and Vo Chi Cong roads to the To Lich River… aiming to replenish water for the To Lich River and resolve localized flooding in densely populated areas such as Resco, Ecohome, Tay Ho Tay, and Ciputra. According to Mr. Vuong Hong Son, Commander of the Thuy Phuong pumping station (Dai An Construction Joint Stock Company), the goal is to complete the entire system by May 31st and the project will be finished in June, ready to welcome the first rains of the season.

In the downstream area of ​​the Kim Ngưu River in the south of the city, construction teams are also racing against time to clear the waterway from the Quang Dam to the Yen So pumping station, part of the 700 billion VND project to improve the downstream section of the Kim Ngưu River connecting to the Yen So pumping station. This is a crucial water conduit in Hanoi's drainage system, receiving water from many areas before it is pumped out.

Along with clearing drainage channels, Hanoi is focusing on building key regulating lakes, such as Phu Do, Yen Nghia, Thuy Phuong, and Me Tri... At the Phu Do regulating lake project, although the land preparation is about 90% complete, construction is proceeding very urgently. “For many years, every time there was heavy rain, this whole area was flooded. Seeing the city building such a large lake, we are very happy and just hope the project will be completed soon so that we won't have to worry about bailing water out of our houses during the upcoming rainy season…,” shared Ms. Le Thi Huong (58 years old, residing in Tu Liem ward), whose house is near the Phu Do regulating lake construction site.

According to the Hanoi Department of Construction, putting the regulating reservoirs into operation early before the 2026 rainy season is a mandatory task. This is because, during heavy rains, these reservoirs will act as giant storage tanks, temporarily holding water to allow pumping stations time to drain it, preventing the rapid accumulation of water that could cause localized flooding.

Understanding and commitment

Furthermore, in many inner-city streets in wards such as Hoan Kiem, Cua Nam, Dong Da, and Kim Lien, construction of flood control projects is proceeding rapidly despite the complex construction site conditions. Observations in the Phung Hung and Hang Da areas show that a large-scale underground retention basin is under construction, significantly narrowing the road width and causing considerable disruption to daily life due to mud, dirt, and dust.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a fruit shop owner on Hang Da Street, shared: "Recently, business has dropped significantly. Customers are hesitant to come because the streets are narrow, dusty, and noisy. But seeing the workers rushing to work through the night, I have to understand because it's all for the goal of making Hanoi less flooded, cleaner, and more civilized..."

The Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee recently issued a decision ordering the construction of 10 emergency flood control projects, with a total investment of approximately 5,579 billion VND, aiming to create a significant improvement in flood control in Hanoi, gradually overcoming long-standing shortcomings, ensuring traffic safety and stabilizing people's lives during the upcoming rainy season.

To minimize the impact of construction on people's lives, contractors have focused on phased construction, concentrating on nighttime work and applying modern construction methods. At the Quang Trung - Nha Chung intersection, some engineers said that the construction unit is using open trench excavation technology combined with underground pipe jacking to minimize vibrations and protect the surrounding historical architectural structures.

The current rapid pace of construction is largely due to the close guidance from Hanoi's leadership. During an inspection of the Me Tri Lake and Thuy Phuong Canal construction sites, Hanoi People's Committee Chairman Vu Dai Thang emphasized that completing these emergency flood control projects on schedule will not only help prevent flooding during the 2026 rainy season but also improve the quality of life for residents and lay the foundation for sustainable urban development. Contractors need to maximize their capacity, increase manpower and equipment, and organize construction in "three shifts, four teams" to accelerate the progress of key items, focusing on ensuring project quality, labor safety, and environmental hygiene. The Chairman also stressed the deadline for completing the main items before April 30th and May 31st. The city will support and create all favorable conditions for the projects to be completed on time and to yield practical results during this year's rainy season.

MINH KHANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ha-noi-chay-dua-voi-du-an-thoat-nuoc-post848397.html