The article examines the history of Hà Nội, Việt Nam's urban government. The author begins by describing the city's form of government during the country's dynastic era, which saw a balance struck between providing services for the local population and acting as the bureaucratic center of the entire country. Particular emphasis is given to the central importance of Confucianism and Buddhism to urban governance during this period, as well as the links between urbanization and commerce. Municipal government during the French colonial period is described, which focused on assimilating the Vietnamese population into French culture and creating municipal councils. The author then examines the rise of civic engagement in the city under its socialist regime following independence.