The opposition, expressed through prayer vigils, carefully worded banners and coordinated public displays, marks a rare instance of visible public dissent in Vietnam, where demonstrations are uncommon and authorities maintain strict controls on political activism.

The redevelopment program is part of a 100-year master plan for Hanoi approved last month. Under the initiative, authorities have accelerated the demolition of homes in areas designated for new bridges, transportation links, parks and residential developments.

A key component of the plan centers on an 11,000-hectare stretch along the Red River, an area roughly comparable in size to Paris. City authorities intend to transform the district into a network of residential complexes, public green spaces and modern infrastructure, requiring the relocation of approximately 250,000 residents.

Residents affected by the project say uncertainty surrounding displacement has fueled anxiety. Hoa, whose two-story home falls within the planned redevelopment zone, said many families fear losing properties that represent their primary financial assets.

In recent weeks, hundreds of residents have participated in prayer gatherings at Buddhist temples across the Red River area. Organizers have largely remained anonymous, while details of the events have circulated through social media platforms.

The riverfront district encompasses longstanding communities characterized by traditional markets, gardens, family burial grounds and a mix of architectural styles ranging from French-era villas to densely built urban housing.

Some residents have also displayed banners urging authorities to preserve existing neighborhoods. Duc, a local resident, said he and neighbors deliberately chose moderate language in an effort to avoid direct confrontation with officials. He said authorities later requested that one such banner be removed.

Analysts say the public expressions reflect growing dissatisfaction over land acquisition and relocation policies. Tuong Vu, a Vietnam specialist at the University of Oregon, said residents have openly voiced concerns about losing homes and land as redevelopment advances.

Authorities have pledged compensation for displaced households and announced plans to construct up to 85,000 housing units on the outskirts of Hanoi. City officials have stated that replacement housing will provide living standards equal to or better than existing conditions.

However, some residents previously displaced under urban renewal projects have complained that compensation payments did not reflect market values. Others have questioned how long replacement housing will take to complete and how affected families will manage temporary accommodation costs.

The Red River project is being undertaken through a public-private partnership involving a consortium of three developers and carries an estimated value of $30 billion. Critics of the redevelopment effort argue that private companies stand to benefit from the construction of high-end residential projects on land currently occupied by established communities.

Land disputes remain a sensitive issue in Vietnam. In 2020, a confrontation linked to land expropriation for an airport project near Hanoi escalated into violence, resulting in the deaths of three police officers and one villager. Two protesters were later sentenced to death and more than two dozen others received prison terms.

Since that incident, public demonstrations over land-related grievances have become less frequent, according to analysts, making the recent expressions of opposition in Hanoi notable as authorities pursue one of the city’s most ambitious redevelopment programs.