Unlocking Urban Potential: A Vision for a Smart Northern Hanoi City and Beyond

On August 12, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a dialogue with Japanese businesses. This was the second such dialogue held in 2025, aimed at promoting cooperation and investment, with a focus on resolving outstanding issues and maximizing the efficiency of collaborative projects.

During the dialogue, both sides reviewed and assessed the status of Vietnam-Japan cooperation, investment, and trade; addressed challenges in specific projects; and discussed future cooperation and investment directions.

The Japanese side requested the Prime Minister’s continued support in resolving difficulties in several projects, including: The Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway construction project; the Ho Chi Minh City Metropolitan Area Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien) project; the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Hospital project; the Vietnam-Japan University construction project; and the promotion of hybrid vehicles (combining internal combustion and electric motors)…

Japanese businesses also proposed continued cooperation in implementing projects in Vietnam, such as: Urban railway projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; infrastructure development in the Mekong Delta; the construction of a smart city in Northern Hanoi; projects within the framework of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC); financial restructuring of the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Project; and disaster prevention and climate change mitigation using Earth observation satellites…

Along with leaders of Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and localities, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh provided clear directions and suggestions to address the concerns and proposals of Japanese businesses for each specific project.

Appreciating the candid discussions during the dialogue on resolving challenges in ongoing projects, the Prime Minister requested the relevant agencies from both sides to establish a joint task force with sufficient authority to coordinate, compare, and handle outstanding issues based on practical assessments during August 2025. He emphasized ensuring harmonious interests and shared risks and suggested proposing solutions to higher authorities if issues exceed existing regulations or are not covered by them. These experiences will be valuable for current and future projects.

Highly appreciating Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s strong directives and the set deadline for resolving bilateral issues, which have led to positive developments in Vietnam-Japan cooperation and investment, Ambassador Ito Naoki shared that the Japanese side will propose a new project and additional loan packages within the framework of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC).

The Ambassador conveyed Japan’s aspiration to achieve high economic growth rates together with Vietnam and to support the country in this process, contributing to its sustainable development.