Hanoi is vigorously promoting international cooperation in key areas, focusing on expanding local-level connections, attracting high-quality investments, and exchanging urban development experiences.

Strengthening cooperation with the Philippines

During a meeting with the Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, on March 31,  Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, Mr. Vu Dai Thang, acknowledged the strong foundation of the nearly 50-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries. Based on this, he proposed that both sides should further accelerate the implementation of specific and practical cooperation activities to effectively exploit the still-open potential. Hanoi aims to enhance delegation exchanges, promote cooperation in areas such as trade, tourism, and culture, while closely coordinating with the Vietnamese Ambassador in Manila to build direct cooperation programs between the two capitals, Mr. Thang said. 

Emphasizing the role of central cities, the Chairman of the People's Committee stated that both Hanoi and Manila are economic and cultural hubs of their respective countries, with many conditions to expand deeper cooperation. "The two capitals can certainly strengthen their ties further, as the potential for cooperation is still vast," he affirmed.

Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, for his part, expressed agreement with Hanoi's proposals and emphasized the role of public diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.

This is an important pillar that helps enhance understanding and create a sustainable foundation for long-term cooperation, according to the ambassdor.  He noted that the Philippines is striving to maintain economic growth and is ready to learn from Vietnam's experiences. In the context of both Hanoi and Manila facing challenges in urban development, increasing experience exchange and seeking common solutions are deemed necessary, he added.

Affirming the commitment to promoting bilateral relations, the ambassador stated that he would continue to work closely with Hanoi's agencies and maintain connections with the Vietnamese Ambassador in the Philippines to implement specific cooperation activities in the near future.

Both sides also agreed to maintain regular exchanges and promote practical cooperation programs between Hanoi and Manila, thereby contributing to deepening Vietnam-Philippines relations in a stable and sustainable direction.

Orienting smart urban development and green growth with Japan

At the meeting on the same day with Mr. Wakabayashi Koichi, President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JCCI) and President of the Waseda Alumni Association in Hanoi, Hanoi Chairman Vu Dai Thang stated that Hanoi is actively promoting international cooperation and investment connections with global partners, with Japan being one of the important partners.

Potential fields such as green energy, low-emission area development, and public transportation are being prioritized by the City for cooperation with Japanese partners, he said.

He also informed the guest about the capital city's development framework in the coming time, including the Politburo's Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW, the Draft Capital Law (amended), and the Hanoi Master Plan with a 100-year vision. These will be important foundations for building the capital towards civilization, culture, and modernity, Mr. Thang noted.

Hanoi expects the Japanese business community to continue expanding cooperation in both traditional and new areas such as data, technology, digital economy, and urban infrastructure, contributing to realizing the goal of smart and sustainable urban development, he said.

Hanoi is committed to continuing to promote cooperation in education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges to strengthen the Vietnam-Japan friendship, the Hanoi Mayor added.

Mr. Wakabayashi Koichi, for his part, stated that Hanoi is currently an attractive destination for Japanese investors, with capital flows mainly concentrated in manufacturing, industry, and services.

According to him, two major issues that the Japanese business community is concerned about are expanding production and business activities in the capital and investment orientation in the coming time.

The Japanese business community expressed a desire to strengthen connections with Vietnamese agencies and departments in general and Hanoi in particular, thereby creating favorable conditions to expand production activities, Mr. Wakabayashi Koichi said, adding that Japanese businesses also hope to be updated on the city's development orientation to have a basis to continue accompanying and contributing to the development process.

To promote cooperation with U.S. investors in high-tech fields

Meanwhile, at a meeting  with a delegation from The Asia Group (TAG) (USA) led by Mr. Daniel Kritenbrink, Member of the Board of Directors of The Asia Group (TAG) and former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Chairman Vu Dai Thang  affirmed that Hanoi is ready to cooperate with partners introduced by TAG, especially in high-tech fields, semiconductors, digital transformation, and innovation, LNG, and electric charging infrastructure.

According to the Hanoi leader, Hanoi has many advantages to attract investment in these fields, such as the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, a system of universities providing high-quality human resources, along with clean energy infrastructure and an increasingly improved administrative procedure environment.d

The city also aims to attract investment resources into urban infrastructure development, especially urban railway and underground space projects, while aiming to form a future financial center based on the existing banking and financial institution system. Based on this, the Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee requested Mr. Kritenbrink to help connect Hanoi with potential investors in the near future.

For his part, Mr. Kritenbrink expressed his impression of Hanoi's potential and development orientation, and stated that he had the opportunity to learn more about Vietnam's development strategy through recent high-level contacts in the United States. Mr. Kritenbrink also affirmed that The Asia Group will accompany Hanoi's development process and maintain a dedicated team in the area to enhance connections and implement specific cooperation activities in the near future.