Hanoi deploys $4.2 billion smart city project

The North Hanoi Smart City project, covering an area of over 270 hectares and with a total investment of 4.2 billion USD, was announced for implementation on the morning of November 11.

The project is located in three communes of Hai Boi, Vinh Ngoc and Kim No of Dong Anh district and is implemented by Bac Ha Noi Smart City Development Investment Joint Stock Company (NHSC). NHSC is a joint venture between BRG Group (Vietnam) and Sumitomo Group (Japan).

Perspective of the 108-storey financial tower of the smart city project. Photo provided by the investor — Perspective of the 108-storey financial tower of the smart city project. Photo: *Provided by the investor*

The project implementation period is 9 years with 5 phases. Of which, the first 4 phases of about 7 years will implement green trees, public works, housing, schools of all levels, traffic, parking lots, relics, religious works and separate projects.

Phase 5 from the end of 2030 to the end of 2032 will deploy many key architectural works, including a 108-storey mixed-use financial and commercial center.

The announcement ceremony of the smart city project on the morning of November 11. Photo: Van Loc — Ceremony to announce the implementation of the smart city project, morning of November 11. Photo: *Van Loc*

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan said that the smart city project has an important location, located at the foot of Nhat Tan Bridge, the North bank of the Red River, between Thang Long Bridge and Long Bien Bridge, on Vo Nguyen Giap Street connecting the city center and the West Lake area to Noi Bai International Airport. In particular, the 108-storey financial tower is on the list of key projects approved by the City People's Council.

"The financial tower is a large-scale design project that demonstrates new, creative ideas and technologies of international stature, located in a synchronous, modern planning scheme that has been researched by Japanese and Vietnamese investors," said Mr. Tuan, who hopes that the North Hanoi smart city project will contribute to solving the major infrastructure problems of the capital such as transportation, energy, education, healthcare, and environment; and contribute to the criteria for making Dong Anh district a future northern district and city.

Location of smart city construction. Graphics: Anh Tu — Location of smart city construction. Graphics: *Anh Tu*

Hanoi leaders requested the investor to coordinate with relevant units to complete the site clearance work (92% completed), procedures for land allocation, land lease, and construction permit issuance to promptly implement the project according to the approved plan and schedule.

The smart city project was jointly developed by BRG and Sumitomo in mid-2017. The cooperation aims to build the smartest and most modern urban area in Southeast Asia, covering an area of over 270 hectares. The focus of the area is a 108-storey commercial and financial tower.

In July 2018, the BRG and Sumitomo joint venture was granted an investment certificate. In October 2019, the investor held a groundbreaking ceremony for the project but did not proceed further because the detailed 1/500 planning had to be adjusted.

In July, Hanoi City approved a decision to locally adjust the detailed planning 1/500 with a scope of 140 hectares, divided into two sub-areas.

Area A has a population of about 11,200 people, an increase of nearly 10,500 people compared to the previous planning; reorganize the green tree system and walking paths around Phuong Trach Lake; arrange additional mixed high-rise residential plots on the side adjacent to Ta Hong dike.

Area B has a population of nearly 9,900 people, an increase of 6,800 people compared to before; has mixed-use residential land plots, increasing the building height from 25 to 45; adding more green trees and public parking lots to suit the smart urban model.

Sumitomo - a Japanese corporation with over 100 years of history has been present in Vietnam since 1995. This enterprise has invested and participated in projects such as Thang Long Industrial Park I and II (in Hanoi and Hung Yen), general contractor for the construction of the elevated section of the Ho Chi Minh City urban railway line No. 1, general contractor for the construction of the Pha Lai Thermal Power Plant, Duyen Hai 3 Extension, and Phu My 2-2.

BRG is one of the multi-industry corporations in Vietnam, operating in fields such as finance, banking, real estate, and retail.