The experiences in strategic environmental impact assessment are limited in South East Asia, especially, in Vietnam. The Law on Environmental Protection requires environmental assessment mandatory for the approval of major development projects as well as for regional development strategies, provincial and city planning, and strategies for urban development. Under the effect of urbanization, there are many cities and provinces are blooming in Vietnam, but most of the urban planning is short-term strategy or pay less attention on environment impact assessment. Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam, has been decided to widened the administrative boundary last year as well as the city master planning will be done soon. However, according to the Premier’s decision on Common task of Hanoi city master planning to 2030 with vision to 2050, the environmental issue has been paid very less attention. At present, strategic environmental impact assessment is an emerging field of practice and new to Vietnam but there is a highly interest in its application potential among scientists and decision makers. From this point of view, this research will be conducted to go through the concept as well as approach the integration of environmental consideration into urban planning in Hanoi city, Vietnam.