“Eastward ho!” shouted a merchant. We are embarking on a journey to Gia L\u00e2m District. It is Hanoi’s easternmost urban district. Gia L\u00e2m’s story is one of transformation. It evolved from rural outskirts to an integral part of Hanoi.
Before 2003 Gia L\u00e2m encompassed Long Bi\u00ean district. This included key infrastructure like Long Bi\u00ean Bridge. It also held Gia L\u00e2m Airport and Gia L\u00e2m railway station. Vietnam Airlines even had its headquarters here.
In September 2023 Gia L\u00e2m was approved to become an urban district. This marked a significant step in its development. Gia L\u00e2m shares borders with several areas. B\u1eafc Ninh province lies to the east and north. \u0110\u00f4ng Anh district is to the northwest. Long Bi\u00ean and Ho\u00e0ng Mai districts border to the west. Thanh Tr\u00ec district and H\u01b0ng Y\u00ean province are to the south.
In 2011 Gia L\u00e2m’s population was around 243957. The district spans an area of 115 square kilometers. Its capital is located in Tr\u00e2u Qu\u1ef3 township. Gia L\u00e2m is divided into 22 commune-level subdivisions. These include the townships of Tr\u00e2u Qu\u1ef3 and Y\u00ean Vi\u00ean.
The rural communes include B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng and C\u1ed5 Bi. They also include \u0110a T\u1ed1n and \u0110\u1eb7ng X\u00e1. \u0110\u00ecnh Xuy\u00ean and \u0110\u00f4ng D\u01b0 are part of it. As are D\u01b0\u01a1ng H\u00e0 and D\u01b0\u01a1ng Quang. Then there are D\u01b0\u01a1ng X\u00e1 and Ki\u00eau K\u1ef5. Kim Lan and Kim S\u01a1n also belong to Gia L\u00e2m. L\u1ec7 Chi and Ninh Hi\u1ec7p are included. So are Ph\u00f9 \u0110\u1ed5ng and Ph\u00fa Th\u1ecb. Finally Trung M\u1ea7u V\u0103n \u0110\u1ee9c Y\u00ean Th\u01b0\u1eddng and Y\u00ean Vi\u00ean complete the list.
Gia L\u00e2m’s transition to an urban district spurred real estate growth. From 2017 to 2022 apartment prices in Hanoi increased. The average was 7% per year. Eastern Hanoi including Gia L\u00e2m and Long Bi\u00ean saw the highest increase. It reached 16% per year.
A decision to upgrade Gia L\u00e2m attracted more investment. By 2023 nearly 200 projects were planned. Key transport projects will improve connectivity. Hanoi will have 12 bridges across the Red River. Six already exist with six more planned. Eight metro lines will further upgrade infrastructure. Metro lines 8 and 1 will directly pass through Gia L\u00e2m.
Increased infrastructure leads to higher property values. Land prices increase upon district upgrades. Property values rise further as residential areas develop. Infrastructure improvements increase. Gia L\u00e2m offers diverse real estate options. Land is available. Houses have high values around 90 million VND per square meter. Apartments are in demand due to services.
Gia L\u00e2m District is transforming. It is becoming a modern urban center. It still retains its unique character. It blends progress with tradition. Its strategic location and development make it a vital part of Hanoi.