On the morning of March 24th in Hanoi, Vice Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van received and held a working session with Professor Zhang Shangwu, President of the Tongji Urban Planning and Design Institute (China), and his delegation.
Delegates attending the working session.
In his remarks, Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van highly appreciated the experience and contributions of the Tongji Urban Planning and Design Institute in the field of urban planning and development, particularly its involvement in advising on the project “Hanoi Capital Master Plan – A Vision for the Next Hundred Years,” a project of strategic significance for the country’s future development.
He noted that the Government of Vietnam and the Ministry of Construction are making efforts to further refine the institutional framework to create breakthroughs for socio-economic development. In particular, with the promulgation of the 2025 Law on Construction and Decree No. 269/2025/ND-CP on smart urban development, and international experience especially from China, a country with rapid urbanization and many similar development conditions is considered highly necessary.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van delivered remarks at the meeting.
At the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van proposed four key areas of cooperation aimed at deepening and enhancing the substance of bilateral relations. First, cooperation on institutions and standardization, both sides would strengthen exchanges on ICT architecture frameworks, urban data standardization, and green planning standards, providing a foundation for Vietnam to further complete its national technical regulatory system in the field of smart urban development.
Second, promoting innovation and the application of urban technologies. The Ministry of Construction encourages the Chinese side to participate in research and the deployment of advanced technologies in urban development under controlled pilot mechanisms, with a view to advancing smart and low-emission urban development.
The next area of cooperation focuses on human resource training and scientific research. Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination in training urban management personnel, operating intelligent operation centers (IOCs), as well as organizing professional forums to share experience and update on modern urban development trends.
Finally, in terms of supporting the implementation of specific projects, the Ministry of Construction reaffirmed its commitment to creating favorable conditions for the Tongji Urban Planning and Design Institute to continue its participation and contributions to key planning projects, particularly the Hanoi Capital Master Plan.
Professor Zhang Shangwu, President of the Tongji Urban Planning and Design Institute, shared experiences.
Professor Zhang Shangwu, President of the Tongji Urban Planning and Design Institute, shared valuable insights from China’s urbanization process. He noted that the development of megacities should be closely aligned with the expansion of metropolitan regions, rather than being concentrated within the urban core. The establishment of a polycentric, multi-nodal, and multi-corridor urban model supported by an efficient, well-connected transport system would help alleviate infrastructure pressures while generating spillover growth momentum for surrounding satellite areas.
One of the key lessons is the control of development space through the establishment of firm boundaries alongside flexible zones. Critical infrastructure areas, heritage sites, ecological zones, and protected corridors must be clearly delineated and strictly preserved, while new development areas should be designed with flexibility to adapt to socio-economic changes.
China places particular emphasis on green, safe, and smart urban development, integrating technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and digital urban models into urban management and operations. The development of multi-layered underground spaces, combined with public transport systems and the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model, is also considered an important solution to enhance land-use efficiency and address urban transport challenges.
For Hanoi, experts suggested the urgent need to complete a flexible management framework, while strengthening regional connectivity and developing transport infrastructure and underground spaces. Proactively learning from international experience, particularly from major Chinese cities, would help Hanoi shorten its development and move toward the long-term goal of becoming a modern, globally competitive megacity.
Professor Zhang Shangwu also emphasized the importance of establishing development boundaries in urban planning, clearly distinguishing “hard” areas that require protection and zones that can be flexibly adjusted, and promoting polycentric, multi-nodal urban development linked to modern transport systems. In addition, the development of underground spaces, flood control, and ensuring the safety of urban infrastructure are key lessons for Hanoi in particular and for Vietnamese cities in general.
Delegates posed a photo.
At the end of the working session, both sides agreed to continue maintaining exchanges and strengthening connections between agencies, units, and experts to promote cooperation in the field of planning and developing smart and sustainable cities. Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van affirmed that, with many similarities in development conditions, sharing experiences between Vietnam and China will make an important contribution to helping Vietnam improve the quality of urban planning and management in the coming period.