Hanoi eyes partnership with Russia’s AFK Sistema on smart city push

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi seeks experiences and solutions from Russia’s AFK Sistema in technology, finance, telecommunications and infrastructure to drive sustainable development in the new era, Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc said on January 6.

At a working session with senior AFK Sistema leaders, Ngoc stressed that building a smart city is an inevitable step in Hanoi’s modernization process, requiring technologies that anticipate future growth rather than react to it.

Outlining Hanoi’s recent development and its 100-year master planning vision, he said the capital is pursuing a multi-polar, multi-center and multi-layer urban model.

"In this structure, transport, energy, water supply, drainage and digital infrastructure form the backbone of sustainable growth," the Hanoi Party Chief said.

The model aims to create balanced economic space while tackling long-standing urban challenges such as traffic congestion, flooding and environmental pollution, he added.

“On that foundation, Hanoi places science and technology, innovation and digital transformation at the center of its future development strategy,” Ngoc said.

He welcomed AFK Sistema’s cooperation proposals and reaffirmed that Hanoi prioritizes projects with high technological content, especially smart solutions for urban management, digital infrastructure, telecommunications, data systems and other strategic sectors.

With an area of more than 3,300 square kilometers, Hanoi requires a comprehensive smart city blueprint that integrates technology and finance to ensure effective implementation and long-term operation, the city leader noted.

At the meeting, AFK Sistema Chairman Vladimir Petrovich Evtushenkov and other executives presented the corporation’s recent strengths and expressed interest in partnering with Hanoi in several key areas.

Urban railway development tops the list as it holds a critical role in modernizing transport infrastructure, easing congestion and improving quality of life, Evtushenkov said.

He said AFK Sistema is willing to share experience, technological solutions and management models to help Hanoi deliver urban transport projects efficiently and sustainably, particularly in underground metro construction.

The group chairman also proposed cooperation on digital platforms for administrative management, public security and smart city operations.

According to Evtushenkov, synchronized digital solutions can improve governance efficiency, strengthen transparency and enhance the city’s capacity to respond quickly to emerging challenges.

Another area of interest is the development of a closed telecommunications network with advanced features, the Russian executive said.

This model enables strict control of data flows, reducing risks from intrusive advertising, malware and common cyberattacks, he added.

Evtushenkov said such solutions could play a vital role in safeguarding cybersecurity and information safety for state agencies, critical infrastructure and Hanoi’s smart city services.

At the meeting, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko expected that both sides would work closely to expedite procedures for building the Moscow House project in Hanoi.

Hanoi Party Chief Ngoc assigned Director Nguyen Thanh Tung of the Hanoi Department of Public Security as the main contact for cybersecurity cooperation.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Duong Duc Tuan will coordinate discussions on electric water transport and metro systems, while Vice Chairman Nguyen Manh Quyen will handle cooperation related to the Moscow House project.