Investing in smart cities is not only a trend in the fourth industrial era but also a new drive and solution for developing urban areas sustainably.

Urban areas north of the Red River can be revitalised through smart city concepts

The smart city project in Hanoi by BRG-Sumitomo, officially implemented in early October, marks the start of building an e-government in the capital city.

A modern city with many public facilities and utilities serving people, suitable investment attraction, and effectively supporting the policy of relaxing Hanoi’s inner city are the targets of a smart city project in accordance with the development master plan of the Nhat Tan-Noi Bai area.

In the Fourth Industrial Revolution era, investing in smart cities is not only a trend but also a new drive for developing urban areas.

Already many countries in the ASEAN bloc have announced ambitious plans. Besides the pioneering Singapore, Myanmar and the Philippines are also building high-tech green cities with unmanned vehicles and robots. Elsewhere, Thailand has the goal of creating 100 smart cities by 2022.

Developing three smart cities in the north, the south and the centre of Vietnam is the most significant content marked in the Resolution 52-NQ/TW of the Polite Bureau, that has just been approved by the Party’s General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Aiming towards 2025, the resolution outlines the share of the digital economy at 30 percent of the GDP while completing forming an e-government and constructing smart urban structures at key economic areas. Aiming towards 2030, Vietnam will be listed in the top 40 leading countries in the world gaining the ranking of global innovation index (GII).

Early October in Hanoi, a smart city project developed by BRG-Sumitomo was officially implemented, marking the start of building an e-government in the capital city.

According to Madame Nguyen Thi Nga, chairwoman of BRG Group, when completed, the smart city will be a highlight at the gateway to the capital, creating a driving force to develop urban areas in the north of the Red River, as well as providing many jobs and other contributions to the socio-economic development of Hanoi.

Over the past five years, the demand for investment and construction of smart cities in Vietnam has appeared alongside plans from authorities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang, but until the new smart city project in Hanoi is licensed, people may not feel the effects or understand fully what a modern city can achieve.

It is hoped that the use of energy in smart cities in general will be optimised by integrating energy management systems in buildings and apartments with central energy management systems along with using renewable energies.

Throughout Hanoi, a smart public transportation system, including high-volume urban transport such as buses and subways, will be built to help reduce using personal vehicles and ensure quick and convenient transportation of residents. Especially, the smart city and the centre of the capital will be connected synchronously through Urban Railway No.2, which will originate from Tran Hung Dao street in the hub of the capital.

Smart city residents can be almost quaranteed safety thanks to a modern security management system. There will be advanced monitoring and warnings systems, along with flood controlling and rainwater reusing systems. Besides that, there will be a smart classroom system with lessons from foreign teachers via virtual classes.

Cashless payment methods will be applied to enhance the smart consumption experience of residents.

Currently, Hanoi has prioritised implementing information systems and professional data in big data centres, ensuring connection and sharing with national data facilities. So far, the capital has completed building data of eight million residences serving for management work of the city.

In addition, Hanoi has also built the WAN net for the whole city, and applied one-door electric linking systems in different fields like public administration, education, and healthcare.

Nguyen Duc Chung, Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee, said, “The Vietnamese government has been facilitating Hanoi to develop into a green, civilised, and friendly capital which is a smart urban area with management based on new technologies and smart infrastructure with the aim to serve people better and build an open and friendly community.”

At recent meetings, many experts emphasised the position and role of the northern Red River region, in which Dong Anh rural district will play the role in easing the urban population.

Besides that, the city also advocates relocating hospitals, universities, and offices of ministries and agencies out of the city centre.

Madame Nga of BRG Group emphasised that the group will pay attention to inherited and long-term values. Containing the essence for solving urban issues around the world, the smart city is expected to become the key to unlock new development drivers for the future, in Hanoi, Vietnam, and further afield.

Experience and know-how from Japan in developing smart cities will be applied in Hanoi’s smart city project. As a result, it is expected that the project will bring the city long-term economic and social values, addressing the current inadequacies in Hanoi such as overload, traffic congestion, and pollution.

With such convenience, a smart city can be a liveable urban area, contributing to the strong development of the region as a whole.