The man who "paints" urban dreams.

At 76 years old, architect Tran Ngoc Chinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association and former Deputy Minister of Construction, vividly remembers every milestone and memory related to the important planning projects he participated in over the past half-century. With work related to Hanoi, naturally, he places great emphasis on reflection and contemplation to perfect the projects with responsibility, love, and a special attachment.

Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh was awarded the title of Outstanding Citizen of Hanoi in 2025. Photo: Viet Thanh

The first urban planning architect to receive a state award.

Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh seems to have a knack for firsts and significant events. First, he was a student in the first class of architects at the University of Construction, which was separated from the Faculty of Construction - Hanoi University of Technology in 1966. In 1971, after graduating with a degree in urban planning architecture, he began working at the Ministry of Construction .

The first jobs of the then 22-year-old architect were closely associated with his hometown of Nghe An , such as collecting documents to form the basis for planning the construction and development of the mountainous areas of Nghe An after the war ended; or working with experts from the German Democratic Republic to carry out the planning of Vinh city and the construction planning of the Quang Trung area (Vinh city) in 1973.

After the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country, he and his colleagues implemented significant planning projects to rebuild the country after the war, such as the planning of the Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Power Plant construction site combined with the future construction of Hoa Binh city; the planning of the oil and gas exploration and production area in Vung Tau; the planning of Da Lat city; and the planning of the Dung Quat Industrial Zone (Quang Ngai province) with the focus on the country's first oil refinery. In addition, he also carried out planning for two important cities in the two regions of the country: Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Each major, long-term planning project is associated with years of dedication, burning passion, and a spirit of commitment to serving and building the nation on the part of the young architect. In 2012, the first special award he received after completing the three projects – the General Planning for the Dung Quat Industrial Zone, the General Planning for the Construction of Da Nang City, and the General Planning for the Construction of Vung Tau City – was the State Award for Literature and Arts.

This award was originally given to authors in the fields of music, literature, theater, fine arts, photography, dance, film, architecture, etc. In 2012, the award for the first time recognized the contributions of an urban planning architect, with planning projects that were "outstanding, of high literary and artistic value, praising the country and its people, contributing to the building of socialism and the defense of the Fatherland."

To date, the award has been presented five times (in 2001, 2007, 2012, 2017, and 2022), yet he remains the only urban planning architect to be honored with this prestigious award. This honor has been a driving force and a steadfast guide for him to continue contributing with his drawings and projects that shape expansive spaces, conveying aspirations for development in major cities across the country, including Hanoi, where he lives and is deeply connected. For him, returning home after each business trip feels like coming home.

Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh has made many positive contributions to urban planning consultancy and review. Photo: Thanh Tu

A place filled with love and worries.

Since 2001, the work of architect Tran Ngoc Chinh, then Director of the National Institute of Urban and Rural Planning (Ministry of Construction), has been closely associated with the capital city of Hanoi.

He was involved in the planning of the Ba Dinh political center from the very beginning. Later, when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Construction, he chaired the Council for reviewing planning and architectural designs for the National Assembly building, in order to select the most optimal plan.

In 2008, Hanoi adjusted its administrative boundaries, ensuring sufficient space for comprehensive development, befitting its status as a multi-functional capital city. In fulfilling the tasks assigned by the Government, he took on the important responsibility of directing the National Institute of Urban and Rural Planning and the Hanoi Institute of Construction Planning to study the current urban situation and propose expansion plans for Hanoi.

"The work was done under tight deadlines but was scientifically sound, encompassing all possibilities, helping Hanoi to have sufficient development space without significantly disrupting the administrative boundaries of other provinces," architect Tran Ngoc Chinh recalled.

Almost immediately after Hanoi's administrative boundaries were expanded, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Construction and the Hanoi People's Committee to begin researching the planning project with utmost caution and rigor.

Three years later, the Master Plan for the Construction of Hanoi Capital City until 2030 and with a vision to 2050 was approved by the Prime Minister. Experts still refer to this as a "grand plan" for a "megacity," because Hanoi has become one of the 17 largest capital cities in the world and also the largest city in the country, inevitably posing significant demands and challenges for its development.

Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh's connection with Hanoi reached a new milestone in November 2009 when he was elected Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association. To date, after more than three terms in this position, he has had even more opportunities to work closely with Hanoi, advising and providing feedback on the city's urban development.

In particular, as a member of the Hanoi City Architecture and Planning Council, he frequently made active contributions and offered solutions to address Hanoi's urban problems, such as flooding, traffic congestion, fires, renovation of old apartment buildings, development of green spaces and underground spaces, and implementation of the Red River urban zoning plan…

The Hanoi Capital City Planning Project for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister on December 12, 2024, is one of the 10 outstanding events of the city in the past year, creating an important mark and expanding the space for Hanoi's development in the new context. As a reviewer of the project, Mr. Chinh actively participated in many tasks, helping to ensure the project was completed with the best quality.

2024 also marked a significant year when he was invited by the City Party Committee and the People's Committee of Hanoi to participate in the Advisory Council on the Capital City Law. During this time, the revised Master Plan for Hanoi until 2045, with a vision to 2065, was approved by the Prime Minister (December 27, 2024). With his work experience and deep understanding of Hanoi, Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh was entrusted by the Minister of Construction with the responsibility of leading the expert team assisting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in revising these two master plans.

With his extensive knowledge, accumulated professional experience, and a love for Hanoi that has grown over the years, architect Tran Ngoc Chinh always seizes every opportunity to work and contribute valuable insights related to the development direction of Hanoi today and in the future.

Attending a recent seminar organized by Hanoi Moi Newspaper to clarify the special governance model for Hanoi, Mr. Tran Ngoc Chinh emphasized the concerns in perfecting Hanoi's transportation planning system, especially urban railway lines and the implementation of the Red River planning, in order to change the urban landscape and improve the quality of life for the people of the capital city.

Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh at the online seminar "Hanoi: A Special City Needs a Special Governance Model" organized by Hanoi Moi Newspaper on September 10, 2025. Photo: Quang Thai

On October 10, 2025, architect Tran Ngoc Chinh was honored as one of the 10 "Outstanding Citizens of Hanoi". This is a prestigious title awarded by the city of Hanoi to individuals with exceptionally outstanding achievements in various fields of social life.

Interestingly, after 15 times of awarding the title to hundreds of outstanding citizens of Hanoi in all fields, in 2025, along with Professor, Doctor, Architect Hoang Dao Kinh (member of the Hanoi City Architecture and Planning Council, Hanoi Cultural Heritage Association), Mr. Tran Ngoc Chinh is the first urban planning architect to be honored for his contributions to Hanoi.

For architect Tran Ngoc Chinh, who has dedicated his life to participating in major projects, driven by aspirations for the development of the country and the capital city, the title bestowed upon him by the city is a source of great joy, pride, and happiness. This title is all the more precious as his contributions to Hanoi will undoubtedly continue and spread as the projects and works he participated in reviewing are gradually being implemented, helping urban dreams become a reality.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nguoi-ve-nhung-uoc-mo-do-thi-719266.html