Large projects such as the Hanoi Western Gate, a US$233-million joint venture between the Vigracera Corporation and Japanese partner, and the US$500-million five-star Keangnam Hotel are waiting for licences.

In the second half of the year, the city will consider in detail the construction of projects such as the US$500-million five-star Riviera Hotel and the US$580-million Yen So Park.

Meanwhile, a US$1-billion project to build a biological technology park has the Prime Minister's approval for a feasibility study.

In the first six months of 2007, industrial production value in Hanoi's foreign-investment sector increased by 34.6 percent compared with the same period last year.