Visions for the Red River Delta 0. Introduction

1. The basic facts of the delta:
The area of the delta is about 15,000 km2.
The delta is the 2nd large agricultural products area in Vietnam and the most dense rural area in the world (1000 persons/ha).
The two main cities, Hanoi and Hai Phong, are the 2nd and the 3rd large cities in Vietnam. Hai Phong is also the largest port in Vietnam today.

2. The important location of Hanoi under the universal context:
According to the Trans Asia Rail and Trans Asia Highway plan proposed by UN, Hanoi city is the main junction of East Asia and South East Asia.
The delta and Hanoi city also play an important role about the connection with China and Laos.

3. The main infrastructures:
The main infrastructures include the water transport system, the rail system, the road system and the air transport system.
Water transport system: Hai Phong Port, Red River inland water transport system and Thai Binh River inland water transport system.
Rail system: rails to China, to Hai Phong, and to Ho Chi Minh city.
Road system: Highway NO.1 and Ho Chi Minh Highway and other roads.
Air transport system: the international airport in Hanoi and other airports nearby Hanoi and Hai Phong.

4. The development of Industrial Zones and Export Processing Zones:
Generally speaking, the Industrial Zones (IZ) and Export Processing Zones (EPZ) are located nearby the main rails or roads. In other words, they highly depend on land transport system today.
A huge new High Tech IZ in the west of Hanoi is under construction now.

5. The main natural preserve and tourist areas:
The UNESCO world heritage- Ha Long Bay
National parks
Natural preserve sites
Cultural / Historical / Environmental sites
Wetlands