This would enable each city to plan and invest in its urban environment based on its long-term vision, and allow localities to have more control over private developers to ensure that projects contribute to a high-quality urban environment. There must be an explicit recognition of the importance of preservation on existing cultural heritage in Viet Nam. When streets become recognised as public spaces in cities, they can be both planned and designed in a way that increases the quality of life of urban residents and supports more environmentally sustainable and productive cities.