Ha Noi studies underground pedestrian connections around Opera House

The proposal forms part of a partial adjustment to the H1-1B and H1-1C urban subdivision plans at a scale of 1:2,000, which are currently being made available for public consultation.

The study area covers approximately 32.51 hectares in Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam wards. It is bounded by Cau Go street to the north, Hang Trong street to the west, Hai Ba Trung street to the south, and Ly Thai To and Tran Quang Khai streets to the east.

Under the plan, underground spaces are being studied at key locations around public buildings, squares, parks and transport hubs to improve connections between above-ground and underground urban spaces.

At the Ha Noi Opera House and the cultural and artistic complex to its south, planners are considering a four-level underground facility integrated with cultural venues and public spaces. Underground pedestrian routes are also proposed to connect Trang Tien street with the Opera House and surrounding areas.

The plan also envisages expanding the Opera House complex with an outdoor stage and additional cultural facilities to serve local residents and visitors.

Meanwhile, an important component of the adjustment to the Red River urban subdivision plan at a scale of 1:5,000 is to strengthen connections between the existing urban core and riverside areas.

The section of the Red River from Thang Long Bridge to Thanh Tri Bridge is envisioned as the central area of the subdivision, incorporating public, cultural, commercial and service functions, as well as landscape spaces and river-oriented urban development.

However, the consultation documents do not currently identify a separate underground pedestrian route running directly from the Opera House to parks along the Red River.

Therefore, the proposed underground pedestrian connections around the Opera House and the broader plan to link the urban core with riverside areas are two related planning components rather than a single established continuous underground route.

The planning dossier also proposes a four-level shared underground complex east of Hoan Kiem Lake, incorporating the area around the municipal People's Committee headquarters and Ly Thai To Park. The facility is expected to accommodate transport, parking, technical infrastructure, public and appropriate service functions, while also studying a possible connection with the C9 urban railway station.

Following public consultation, the proposals will be further studied and refined before being submitted for appraisal and approval./.