Positioning Hanoi's value in the new era by people's happiness index

Along with the groundbreaking constructions in the new era, the capital of "a thousand years of civilization" is moving towards a standard rich in humanistic spirit: Development for people - putting people at the center of all policies, taking the happiness of each citizen as the measure of each success.

Bright smiles of Hanoi people during the days celebrating the 80th anniversary of Independence Day. *Photo: Nguyen Minh*

Happiness is both a goal and a process.

People were joyful, the streets were bright on the day "the victorious army marched to the Capital"; eyes were shining when the red flag with yellow star fluttered in Ba Dinh Square every morning; or emotions surged when To Lich River, after many years of hardship, returned to its green color...

Happiness comes to each person through many levels, sometimes as small as the poem by Che Lan Vien: "A beloved roof casts its shadow over the soul". Happiness is not a distant dream, but exists in daily life, where each person can feel it from the simplest things.

The happiness of each citizen creates the value of each nation and is a sign of prosperity of each country. Since ancient times, Vietnamese kings have taken "leniency and relaxation of the people as a plan to deepen the roots and build a foundation of " peace and prosperity". According to the Hong Duc Law of King Le Thanh Tong, "in the capital, ward, alley, village, or hamlet, if there is a sick person who has no one to take care of him, lying on the road, bridge, inn, pagoda, or inn, the local officials there must set up a tent to take care of him, give him rice porridge, medicine, and try to save his life, and not leave him to groan in misery". This can be seen as the way that ancient kings did so that no one would be left behind.

The newly born Vietnam in 1945 affirmed three important elements, which were also the goals to strive for: “independence”, “freedom”, and “happiness”. In his position, President Ho Chi Minh asked the Party and Government to “strive to make everyone happy” and he once said: “If the country is independent but the people do not enjoy happiness and freedom, then independence is meaningless”. Thus, it can be seen that the most important thing in peacetime for each country is to make the people happy.

Building a happy society is an important task of the Party, the State and every Vietnamese person. It is not a destination but a process. The documents of the 13th National Party Congress repeatedly affirmed "taking the happiness and prosperity of the people as the goal to strive for", "implementing social progress and justice, improving the quality of life and happiness of the people", "strongly arousing the spirit of patriotism, the will of national self-reliance, the strength of great national unity and the aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy country"...

In his speech celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day at the historic Ba Dinh Square, General Secretary To Lam affirmed: “Looking to the future, our Party sets the goal that by 2045, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the country, Vietnam will be a powerful, prosperous and happy nation. That is the aspiration of the entire nation, an oath of honor before History and the People”. The General Secretary also repeatedly requested: Consistently implementing the viewpoint that “people are the root”, people are the center, the subject, the purpose of the work of building, developing the country and protecting the Fatherland.

Taking the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people as the goal to strive for, from a country devastated by war, isolated, besieged, and embargoed, Vietnam has risen to become a symbol of peace and stability, having diplomatic relations with 193 members of the United Nations, and being a strategic and comprehensive partner of 30 countries. From a backward economy, Vietnam has a firm position in the group of 40 leading economies, with a trade scale ranked in the top 20 in the world. In the eyes of the United Nations and international friends, Vietnam is a success story in poverty reduction and continuous efforts to improve the material and spiritual values in people's lives.

With a series of indicators such as economic stability, living conditions, job satisfaction, social relationships, and contributions to the community, the 2025 Happiness Report has ranked Vietnam 46th in the world - the highest level ever (up 8 places compared to 2024). This is the result of continuous efforts to promote economic growth, ensure social security and equity. From a sociological perspective, it can be said that this rapid rise reflects the humane nature of our society. Although the average income is not high, people's happiness is always cultivated and no one is left behind. People have become the center and subject of development, and people's happiness is a national value, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's reputation in the international arena.

In recent years, Hanoi has achieved many outstanding achievements in building new rural areas, narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas. The city finished nearly a year ahead of schedule in eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses for poor and near-poor households (before September 30, 2024) and will complete 4,730 social housing units in 2025. Hanoi renovated and built 10 new parks, 60 flower gardens, and a meaningful highlight that attracted the attention of the whole community was the return of the green river to To Lich River. Thereby, gradually creating a synchronous and harmonious development environment for the land of "a thousand years of civilization".

Positioning Hanoi's value in the new era

Hanoi is a place where the noble values of humanity converge, crystallize and spread. “Capital of conscience and human dignity”, “City for Peace”, “Creative City”, each name associated with the beloved Capital contains human values. Instead of developing the city in a “vertical” direction with high-rise buildings of reinforced concrete, Hanoi chooses the direction of “following nature and following people” with an open space, close to nature and people. What Hanoi has been doing, from restoring relics, organizing public spaces to launching green living movements... is proof of the constant efforts towards a livable city with happy people.

In reality, it is not the megacities with luxurious and bustling commercial centers that bring happiness, but the spaces that contain cultural depth and humanistic spirit expressed from the heart of the people. Hanoi is such a city! Hanoi today can be proud to be one of the few cities where heads of state can cycle in the morning, walk in the evening or enjoy coffee in a small cafe on the street... Hanoi is also a place where tourists can find peace and sincere feelings. Surfing on social networking sites, one can find many truly happy moments of foreigners when immersing themselves in street festivals or enjoying street food with the overwhelming feeling of "I love Hanoi!".

A livable city, not only has green space, smart technology but also a place where every person is respected, lives in sharing and has a healthy environment to promote their capacity for the burning ambitions of the community. The phrase "happy people" in the Draft Political Report at the 18th Congress of the Hanoi Party Committee shows the outstanding idea: Development by the people and for the happiness of the people! This has become a philosophy, repositioning the goals, methods and values of the Capital in the era of the Vietnamese nation's rise.

How can Hanoi become more livable and happier in the context of facing unprecedented challenges: deep international integration, rapid urbanization, and digital transformation spreading to every corner of social life? As a person with a deep love for Hanoi, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, said that in the 21st century, cities compete not only by economic scale or technological level, but also by quality of life and cultural depth. Therefore, Hanoi must choose a sustainable direction: Taking people as the center, taking culture as the foundation, taking people's happiness as the measure.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son, all policies, all projects, all strategic decisions of the capital in the coming time need to aim at the goal: Making people feel proud to live in Hanoi, love Hanoi not only with emotions but also with civic responsibility. That is the responsibility to live culturally, to live humanely, to preserve identity and to proactively create the future.

Happiness needs to be built from the belief and humanistic spirit in each person, from the right policies and the companionship of the political system and the community. A livable Hanoi is when each resident knows how to behave in a civilized manner, is responsible for themselves and society; knows how to protect beauty, condemn ugliness; and at the same time, arouses creativity to create new values. Happiness is not a gift, but belongs to people with ambitions, dreams, who know how to contribute and cherish sincere feelings. Happiness becomes more meaningful when it becomes a driving force in each individual and the whole community... So that in the future, Hanoi in the hearts of every Vietnamese person and international friend will not only be a city of a thousand years of culture, but also a living symbol of a country that is steadily moving towards the future with the most sustainable values.

Mr. Espar Jean (businessman, French nationality):
"Happiness in Hanoi does not come from comfort or luxury, but from connection"

Mr. Espar Jean and his wife in Hanoi. *Photo: NVCC*

When I first arrived in Hanoi five years ago, I wondered how someone who had spent most of my life in France would adapt to the completely different pace of life here. But today, sipping a cup of morning coffee in a small cafe near Hoan Kiem Lake, I smiled at how natural Hanoi had become to me. What surprised me most was not only how much I had adapted, but also how Hanoi welcomed me with open arms.

Life in Hanoi is, in many ways, simpler than in Europe, but richer in joy. Every morning, I take a walk around the lake or meander through the small alleys of the old town, where the mixed sounds of motorbikes, street vendors, and birds in the treetops resonate like a symphony of daily life. I like that pace of life: slower than many other cities but never boring.

What I especially appreciate about Hanoi is its safety and peace. I can go for a walk in the morning or evening without worrying about security. People are friendly and willing to help me when they see me in need. In the crowded streets, I always feel the respect and tolerance for the elderly. For me, Hanoi is not only a place to live, but also a safe home where I can enjoy my old age peacefully and meaningfully.
Of course, Hanoi has its challenges. But all these inconveniences are small compared to the feeling of happiness in life here. I have a small group of foreign friends, but most of the time, I live and bond with the locals. I married a Vietnamese woman, and together we built a home here. My wife's family accepted me as a member, and through them I learned many traditional Vietnamese values, especially the importance of a simple family meal.

At nearly 65, I find joy in small habits: bargaining at the traditional market, clinking glasses of draft beer with friends, riding on the back of my wife’s motorbike through narrow alleys. I often tell friends everywhere that happiness in Hanoi does not come from comfort or luxury, but from connection. The city teaches you to cherish the moment, to live with others, not just live next to each other. For me, that is the secret to a happy life here.

Ms. Jane Gibbons (teacher, British nationality)
"I feel the government cares about balance for people"

Ms. Jane Gibbons (pink shirt) and her family enjoy coffee in Hanoi's Old Quarter. *Photo: NVCC*

Before moving to Hanoi in 2014, I spent 6 weeks travelling around Vietnam in 2003. I thought Hanoi would be similar to the cities I had visited such as Da Nang, Nha Trang or Ho Chi Minh City but I was completely wrong! Hanoi is a unique city with a special charm.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is full of life. The bustling streets, which at first seemed chaotic, were actually very well planned for their own purposes. The walking tours helped me gain more understanding, more perspective and more appreciation for the charm of the Old Quarter. Each shop, each street has its own story to tell - a mirror of many generations who have lived here. Now, I see the Old Quarter as a space with walls full of stories, with lives and memories, where the charm of the city continues to spread thanks to the people of Hanoi, who are very proud of their land.

I love exploring the old town, learning about the architectural history of the buildings, and discovering new cafes or restaurants to enjoy my favorite dishes, such as coconut coffee, sticky rice, and on cold days, grilled corn and grilled sweet potatoes. After many years, what is special is that Hanoi always has a very unique atmosphere because the traditional architectural works are still preserved, with the characteristic yellow paint and balconies covered with green trees - a very special feature of Hanoi.

I love the mix of architectural styles in Hanoi. The city keeps its roots, respects the past, and embraces new designs and energy-saving lifestyles. Many other cities do not do this, they are willing to demolish old buildings and replace them with modern but soulless structures. This shows a very harmonious and meaningful urban management policy.

I really like the way Hanoi has modernized while still maintaining its own charm. Charm is a difficult thing to define, it is a feeling created by the living space. I feel that the government cares about the balance for people: They work hard, but also need to rest and relax, and Hanoi is moving towards a city where people can meet friends and spend time with family.

I love the abundance of cafes and restaurants around the city, which truly reflects the passion of Hanoians for socializing and making friends. There are so many options that you will never have to worry about not finding a place to sit. From modern, luxurious cafes - perfect for those who love taking photos for Instagram, to cafes with green gardens right in the heart of the city, where you can no longer hear the hustle and bustle of the street. Over the years, I have seen the city government spend a lot of effort on expanding green spaces, enhancing parks and constantly improving security and order, all of which are truly admirable. The number of walking spaces around the city such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Truc Bach Lake, or Trinh Cong Son walking street is proof. Sometimes, these places also have small markets where you can experience cuisine and handicrafts from all over Vietnam. I always feel that being able to walk peacefully and safely with my family on the night streets of Hanoi like that is truly priceless.

Recorded by Hoang Linh

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dinh-vi-gia-tri-ha-noi-trong-ky-nguyen-moi-bang-chi-so-hanh-phuc-cua-nguoi-dan-719831.html