Exploring green spaces that ‘nurture’ urban happiness
WVR - Amid Hanoi’s bustling and vibrant urban landscape, its green parks have become spaces where residents can rest, exercise, meet others and find simple joys in everyday life.
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Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo on 17 March, sets out a vision for building Hanoi as a “Cultured - Civilised - Modern - Happy” capital, placing people at the centre as the subject, goal and driving force of development.
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The resolution sets targets for the centenary of the capital’s liberation in 2054 and for Hanoi to become a global city by 2065, with a high and sustainable level of development and a quality of life and happiness ranking among the world’s leading capitals.
To turn that vision into reality starting from the spaces where people live, Hanoi is developing a new approach to managing and expanding its network of trees, parks and flower gardens, treating them as important components of the city’s ecological infrastructure.
Under the approach, green spaces will be considered in connection with urban planning, transport, technical infrastructure, the environment and urban development, with a view to creating an interconnected network of street trees, parks, flower gardens, rivers, lakes and ecological corridors.
These orientations are paving the way for a greener, more harmonious and more liveable Hanoi in the future.
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| Green spaces are not merely part of the urban landscape, but are also directly linked to residents’ quality of life. (Photo: Nhu Thao) |
Even at the heart of the capital today, familiar green spaces have quietly become part of the lives of generations of residents, providing places to rest, relax and exercise while nurturing healthy habits and ways of life amid the fast pace of urban living.
Preserving these green spaces is also a way of strengthening people’s connection with their surroundings and safeguarding their quality of life.
Nghia Do Park
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| Nghia Do Park is a familiar green space for residents in Cau Giay. (Photo: Nhu Thao) |
Located at 64 Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Nghia Do Park is one of the most familiar green spaces for residents in the Cau Giay area. Every day, many people come here to walk, exercise, play or simply enjoy some open space amid the densely populated neighbourhood.
Following a renovation and refurbishment project completed and inaugurated in early 2026, Nghia Do Park now has a more modern appearance, with a public square, walking paths, sports facilities, children’s playgrounds and upgraded rest shelters. The project had a total investment of nearly VND61 billion and covered an area of more than 42,000 square metres. The park has also added a lakeside walking path, trees and ornamental flowers.
For 21-year-old student Duong Thi Hue, the park has become a regular destination after stressful hours of study. Immersing herself in nature seems to help her feel more relaxed and at ease.
“I find it much more comfortable being in the park than out on the streets. There are trees, there is a breeze and there is plenty of open space, so I feel more relaxed mentally. I often come here with my friends to chat or walk around to relieve stress after long hours of studying”, she said.
Cau Giay Park
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| Cau Giay Park attracts residents for recreation, exercise and relaxation. (Photo: Nhu Thao) |
Not far from Nghia Do Park, Cau Giay Park is located on Thanh Thai Street in Dich Vong Ward and covers approximately 6,540 square metres, with trees, lawns, walking paths and areas for recreation and exercise.
After more than 10 years of operation, the park underwent renovation at a total cost of more than VND66 billion, with the work completed in October 2025. The space was upgraded in a more modern and spacious manner, better meeting the needs of local residents for recreation, exercise and everyday activities.
For 25-year-old engineer Trinh Huu Dai, the park has been part of his life since his early university years. For him, it is not merely a place to exercise, but also a space to meet and spend time with friends.
“I have chosen Cau Giay Park as a place to exercise, relax and meet up with friends since my first year at university. The air here is quite cool and the surroundings are clean, which makes me feel very comfortable and at ease,” Dai said.
Hoa Binh Park
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| Hoa Binh Park provides a vast green space amid the urban area in western Hanoi. (Photo: Nhu Thao) |
Located on Pham Van Dong Street, Hoa Binh Park covers nearly 20 hectares and is one of the largest green spaces in western Hanoi. The park was built to mark Hanoi’s recognition by UNESCO as a “City for Peace”, with the Peace Monument serving as its centrepiece.
Trees, water, lawns and walking paths create an open space amid an increasingly crowded urban area. The approximately 5.5-hectare regulating lake, surrounded by rows of trees, also gives the park a more open and tranquil feel than the roads outside.
At different times of the day, the park takes on its own rhythm. Some people arrive early in the morning to exercise, groups of friends sit chatting on the grass, while families bring their young children outdoors after a day at work. These simple moments have become part of everyday urban life.
Thong Nhat Park
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| Thong Nhat Park is one of the green spaces that has been part of the lives of generations of Hanoi residents. (Photo: Nhu Thao) |
Situated among the busy streets of Tran Nhan Tong, Le Duan, Dai Co Viet and Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Thong Nhat Park covers approximately 50 hectares and surrounds Bay Mau Lake. It is one of Hanoi’s largest and oldest green spaces, closely associated with the lives of generations of capital residents.
Its trees, lake and network of walking paths have made the park a familiar destination for people looking to walk, exercise, spend time with friends and family or simply find somewhere to rest in the city centre.
In recent years, the park has undergone renovations aimed at improving public access. The removal of the surrounding fences has helped strengthen the connection between the park and the urban space outside, bringing this green area closer to residents’ everyday lives.
Hai Yen, Do Nga and Linh Thy, three 20-year-old young people studying and working in Hanoi, said Thong Nhat Park is a familiar meeting place for their group. The three friends have also explored most of the city’s parks and found that each has its own distinctive character.
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| Young people often explore Hanoi’s parks together and capture memorable moments. (Photo: Hai Yen) |
“For us, parks are places that preserve beautiful memories. In recent years, many parks have been renovated and become more spacious and attractive, with more corners where we can take photos and capture moments from our youth. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that, amid a Hanoi that is becoming increasingly crowded, there are still places where people can slow down a little, breathe and take time to enjoy themselves”, Hai Yen said.
