Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the groundbreaking ceremony of the first smart city project in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

The project worth nearly 4.2 billion USD underwritten by Vietnam’s BRG Group and Japan’s Sumitomo Group will cover more than 270 hectares. It is based on a smart urban planning scheme called the Nhat Tan-Noi Bai axis which is over 11km long. The project’s five phases are expected to be completed by 2028. Advances in digital technology will converge to enable smart energy management, smart transportation, smart security management, smart classrooms, smart economy, and a smart lifestyle. The highlight of the project will be a 108-storey financial tower. Investors have the ambition of turning this place into a major financial centre of Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

A multifunctional smart monitoring and warning system will be installed to keep track of the quality air and water, the weather, and natural disaster risks as well as security and safety. A management system of smart buildings and renewable energy technology will be prioritized to optimize energy supply and storage. The implementation of an environmentally-friendly public transportation system will connect the smart city with the centre of Hanoi. Under the project, 5G technology, facial recognition, and blockchain technology will be applied to improve city services.

The project reflects Vietnam’s commitments to a chain of smart cities across the country.