Ha Noi, Seoul foster stronger ties in smart urban development
VGP - Chairman of the Ha Noi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon vowed to deepen collaboration in innovation, urban planning and people-to-people exchanges during their meeting in Ha Noi last week.
Chairman of the Ha Noi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang hosts a reception for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Ha Noi, December 5, 2025 - Photo: VGP
The host said, the two capitals have built a close and dynamic relationship over the past three decades, praising the major contribution Korean businesses have made to Ha Noi's economic progress, especially in manufacturing, urban development and high-tech research.
Building on three decades of cooperation, the two capital cites aim to broaden practical and effective collaboration to create creative, modern and livable cities for future generations, he said.
He expressed strong admiration for Seoul's achievements in revitalizing the Han River and in digital transformation and technological innovation.
Ha Noi is entering a new phase of development and the Red River planning project will serve as a strategic foundation, he shared, expressing his hope to deepen cooperation with Seoul and Korean businesses to realize this vision.
The capital city pledges to expand cooperation with Seoul in smart urban development, high technology and long-term Red River planning, underlined the Ha Noi leader.
Young talent will play a crucial role in connecting the two capitals, he said, expecting that more Ha Noi students will have opportunities to study and conduct research in Seoul.
The capital city also plans to expand cultural and tourism exchanges, supported by increasing air connectivity between the two cities, the Ha Noi chairman added.
For his part, Oh said, Ha Noi's supportive environment has allowed large corporations such as Samsung, along with many small and medium-sized firms, to invest confidently and operate stably in the city.
South Korean businesses stand ready to contribute more to human resource training, especially for young talent and industries where both cities share strengths, emphasized the guest.
He lauded Ha Noi's long-term plans for Red River development, stating that the successful implementation would strengthen the city's economic capacity and improve living conditions for residents.
As Seoul will host the annual Smart Life Week from 2026, Oh expected that the event will become a platform for Ha Noi and other regional cities to share solutions for urban management and technology application.
Chairman of the Ha Noi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon vow to deepen collaboration in innovation, urban planning and people-to-people exchanges
Earlier, in September, Ha Noi rolled out a new action plan to accelerate its transformation into a smart, green, modern, and globally connected city by 2030.
Specifically, the city aims to integrate into national, regional, and global smart city networks, while driving growth across the Red River Delta, the northern key economic region, and the country as a whole.
The city is targeting leadership in data-driven governance, digital technology adoption, and advanced data analytics across state agencies and socio-economic sectors.
Smart city building will prioritize cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, and information security. Key focuses include upgrading infrastructure for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, while also attracting and developing high-quality talent.
Practical applications will cover smart traffic management, cashless toll collection, intelligent parking, smart lighting, energy, and water systems. Ha Noi will also encourage pilot projects that test new technologies and services in line with national science, technology, and digital transformation strategies./.
