On November 5th, 2025, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Construction coordinated with the Central Strategy and Policy Committee to organize the Vietnam Urban Sustainable Development Forum 2025: Towards smart, sustainable and inclusive cities. The event was held on the occasion of Vietnam Urban Day on November 8th and in response to Vietnam Law Day on November 9th, attracting the participation of leaders of ministries, branches, localities, international organizations and experts in the field of urban planning, construction and development.
In his opening speech at the Summit, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van stated that 2025 is a particularly significant year, marking many major national events. Among these, urban development work will enter a phase of comprehensive reform with the implementation of the two-tier local government model, a major policy that represents a turning point in urban governance and development in Vietnam. The year 2025 also marks the 10th anniversary of Vietnam’s commitment, together with the international community, to achieving Sustainable Development Goal No. 11 on sustainable urban development, one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van spoke to open the Summit.
Speaking at the Summit, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van highlighted that Vietnam's urban system has been a driving force in the country's development, contributing significantly not only to economic growth but also holding important political, cultural, social, and environmental roles. From the orientation of Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW of 2022 of the Politburo on planning, construction, management and sustainable development of Vietnamese urban areas, this year's Forum is an opportunity to evaluate the implementation of key task groups and solutions, while creating a space for national policy dialogue, connecting management agencies, businesses, experts and development partners.
“The three key themes of this year’s Forum include: Innovation - the driving force of smart urban development; Green growth - climate change adaptation; and Modern planning and governance - the foundation for improving the quality of urban life. These are the core orientations that demonstrate the spirit of “smart, sustainable and inclusive urban development” that the Ministry of Construction and its partners are aiming for in the new period,” Van emphasized.
Speaking at the Summit, Deputy Head of the Central Committee for Strategic Policy Nguyen Duy Hung stated that the three themes of this year’s Vietnam Sustainable Urban Development Summit clearly reflect a comprehensive picture of urban development in the new era - a period in which urbanization brings both opportunities and challenges. He emphasized that sustainable urban development is not only an economic issue, but also a long-term political, social, and welfare mission. Urban development, he noted, should not merely expand living spaces, but must aim to improve quality of life, protect the environment, and ensure harmony between people and nature.
(1).jpg)
Deputy Head of the Central Committee for Strategic Policy Nguyen Duy Hung spoke at the event.
Hung added, Vietnam’s urban system is both the universal characteristics of modern global cities and reflects the distinct features of the country itself. Therefore, it is necessary to continue improving institutional frameworks, particularly laws on planning and land management, while developing a system of smart city standards suited to the two-tier local government model. He also emphasized the need to promote the application of science, technology, and digital transformation in urban management and operations. Mr. Hung further proposed strengthening discipline in urban planning, fostering a healthy real estate market, and ensuring adequate housing for citizens, encouraging the development of social housing, housing for workers, and vulnerable groups, while prioritizing environmental protection, flood prevention, and climate change adaptation.
Mr. Thomas Gass - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to Vietnam emphasized the important role of governance in urban construction and development. Effective governance is the foundation of sustainable urban development. Good governance will create jobs, opportunities and fairness, while poor governance will lead to inequality and social risks.
Gass assessed that currently, planning and implementation of tasks related to state management in Vietnamese cities are being carried out more quickly, intelligently and effectively. He also affirmed Switzerland will continue to accompany and support Vietnam in green growth and sustainable urban initiatives.
.jpg)
Mr. Thomas Gass - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to Vietnam spoke at the Forum.
Also speaking at the Forum, Ms. Mariam J. Sherman, Country Director of the World Bank (WB) for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, shared Vietnam is facing a major opportunity to transform into a nation with a dynamic, smart, and environmentally friendly urban system. The World Bank is committed to cooperate closely with the Government of Vietnam in key areas such as integrated planning, urban finance, sustainable infrastructure development, and green transition.
In his closing speech at the Forum, Van affirmed that the event had completed the entire program, with 37 speeches and 22 live presentations, attracting more than 500 delegates. Three thematic workshops and a plenary session took place enthusiastically, focusing on the main pillars of urban development in the new period.
.jpg)
Ms. Mariam J. Sherman - World Bank (WB) Country Director for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos spoke at the Forum.
At the innovation workshop, delegates emphasized that IoT technology, artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data and Digital Twin are changing the way urban planning and management are done. Localities such as Da Nang, Hue, and Binh Duong have proven that digital transformation is not just about applying technology, but also about comprehensively innovating management thinking. Delegates agreed to propose the formation of a set of national smart city criteria, developing an interconnected urban data platform and an urban innovation ecosystem with the participation of the government, businesses, research institutes and people.
At the workshop on green growth and climate change adaptation, delegates analyzed in depth the current situation of flooding, subsidence and saltwater intrusion in coastal cities, the Mekong Delta and the Central region. The forum agreed on the need to integrate climate factors into urban planning and finance, develop green infrastructure, smart drainage systems and international cooperation in climate finance.
The importance of transparency, data and community participation in urban development was affirmed at the workshop on modern planning and governance. Experts said that without good planning, there can be no livable cities and without modern governance there can be no sustainable development.
.jpg)
Overview of the Summit.
In concluding the Summit, Deputy Minister Nguyễn Tường Văn outlined five key task groups for the coming period: Completing institutions and policies for sustainable urban development; Reviewing and adjusting the urban and rural system planning; Building a national urban data platform; Promoting green cities, smart cities, and urban resilience; Developing human resources and an urban innovation ecosystem.
On behalf of the Ministry of Construction, Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van thanked the Central Strategy and Policy Committee, the Vietnam Construction Association, the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, and international organizations such as GIZ, SECO, UN-Habitat, AFD, WB and localities, businesses and associations for their active participation in the preparation and organization of the Summit.
“The outcomes of the Summit serve as an important source of reference for the Ministry of Construction’s state management work, particularly in formulating and improving policies for sustainable urban development in Vietnam, contributing to realizing the vision of building a smart, green, and inclusive urban system for the country’s future development,” Văn emphasized.