Hanoi plans to cover transit structures with climbing plants

The Hanoi Department of Construction recently signed a directive assigning agencies to study and implement the pilot program at three elevated railway pillars on Nguyen Trai Street in front of the Royal City tower, the Le Van Luong-To Huu underpass, the Le Van Luong-Lang Ha flyover, and three bus shelters on downtown Hanoi streets.

At the three metro pillars, steel frames will be installed around the 5.3-meter-high pillars without drilling into the concrete. Plants will climb the frames but not reach the top beams or technical equipment.

At the Le Van Luong-Lang Ha flyover, about 200 square meters of wall surface will be covered with climbing plants, using existing soil beds for planting.

At the Le Van Luong-To Huu underpass, clusters of potted plants will be placed along 300 meters of railing, with vines hanging 2-3 meters down the inner walls. Regular trimming will prevent obstruction of traffic, signage, or lighting.

For the three bus shelters, plants will be grown in pots behind and beside shelters, guided by light frames or cables to cover parts of the back wall and roof. Structures will remain independent, ensuring visibility of stop names, route information, cameras, and lights.

The initiative is part of Hanoi’s strategy to integrate greenery into transportation and architectural infrastructure.

The Vietnamese capital has hundreds of elevated rail pillars, overpasses, and bus shelters that remain underutilized for landscape enhancement.