Hanoi is making the development of key industrial products a top priority to position them as the economic engine, according to Nguyen Kieu Oanh, deputy director of the city's Department of Industry and Trade.

Outlining plans for 2021-2025, she said the Hanoi People's Committee has approved several decisions to support the development of key industrial products.

The city has started infrastructure development in 28 out of 43 planned industrial clusters to attract domestic and foreign investment. In addition, the government has made efforts to boost investment and production cooperation, including the Vietnam-Japan Aerospace Techno Park in the Hanoi Southern Industrial Park (HANSSIP).

“The department has held dialogues with business delegations and officials from Kochi and Fukuoka in Japan. They are also inviting companies from Wonju in South Korea and Yunnan in China to invest in manufacturing and business,” Oanh said. 

A manufacturing line at  Rang Dong Light Source & Vacuum Flask Joint Stock Company. Photo: VGP

She added that the department encourages cooperation in technological innovation, investment in equipment, and the application of scientific advances. Emphasis will be placed on developing new eco-friendly products, increasing energy efficiency, expanding exports, and participating in distribution networks in Japan, South Korea, and China.

Through programs and events organized by the department, businesses can enhance trade promotion efforts, seek alliances, and enter into trade agreements that will open up both domestic and export markets. "These efforts are designed to take advantage of the free trade agreements between the parties," Oanh stressed.

At the end of December, thirty-six products from 25 enterprises were selected and designated as the key industrial products of Hanoi for 2024. Among them, the top 10 products were named the Top 10 Key Industrial Products of Hanoi for 2024.

Among the 25 selected companies, eight had sales of more than VND1 trillion ($39.3 million) each. Ten of them were listed among the top 500 largest companies in Vietnam in 2024.

In 2024, the program to select the city's key industrial products, initiated by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, attracted 160 industrial manufacturers across the city, according to Oanh.

The 36 key industrial products include 23 from the mechanical and manufacturing sector (64%), seven from the textile, leather, and plastics sector (19%), three from the information technology and high-tech sector (8%), two from the agriculture and food sector (6%) and one from the construction materials sector (3%).

“Revenue from these key industrial products is expected to reach nearly VND50 trillion (US$1.97 billion), with export turnover approaching $1 billion,” Oanh said.

She added that the city's key industrial product designation will enhance brand value, stimulate enterprise production, and promote sustainable development. Oanh underlined that this acknowledgment demonstrates the city government's continued support for local businesses.

"The Hanoi People's Committee is considering support programs for key manufacturers of industrial products, focusing on improving the investment and business environment, promoting market development, advancing science and technology, upgrading human resources, providing technical support, and facilitating business networking," the official said.

She also noted that the companies in the program have made significant efforts to integrate advanced scientific and technological innovations into their production processes, especially by leveraging the advances of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This includes adopting international quality management systems, increasing automation, implementing digital transformation, and developing smart factory models.

"Therefore, Hanoi's recognized key industrial products are highly competitive, embody traditional values, and serve as models for comparable goods, enhancing the product's reputation and increasing its brand value at home and abroad," Oanh said.

The deputy director said the Department of Industry and Trade has also implemented a 2021-2024 plan that involves hundreds of businesses in industrial production. Currently, 172 products have been certified as key industrial products in the city, exceeding the target for 2021-2025. This year, 36 products from 25 companies are expected to be certified, bringing the total to 265 products from 191 companies since 2018.

Many of these businesses have been awarded the title of "National Brand" for 2024, including Asia Industrial Engineering Joint Stock Company, Hanoi Plastic Joint Stock Company, Eurowindow Joint Stock Company, Garment Corporation 10 JSC, MISA Joint Stock Company, Nutricare Nutrition Joint Stock Company, VICOSTONE Group, Rang Dong Light Source & Vacuum Flask Joint Stock Company, Sunhouse Group, and Viet Tiep Lock Joint Stock Company.

Nguyen Cong Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Association of Enterprises Producing Key Industrial Products, said the title of a key industrial product is only valid for two years, after which it must be reapproved. "This requires enterprises to make continuous efforts to confirm quality and increase product value. This title also helps to affirm the brand of enterprises and build trust with partners and customers," he said.