Hanoi Party Chief backs Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park as strategic tech hub

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi is accelerating efforts to develop Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park into a core ecosystem for science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, positioning it at the center of a new growth model for the capital.

“This is a direction aimed at realizing Hanoi’s vision of establishing a new development model and achieving double-digit growth, with science, technology, innovation and digital transformation at its core,” Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc said at a working session with the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park Management Board on February 24.

The immediate priority is to fast-track the park’s development to attract investors, enterprises and universities, Ngoc said.

He outlined seven key pillars for the park’s next phase. These include clustering leading universities and research institutes; attracting R&D centers of major domestic and international corporations; building intermediary organizations to support technology commercialization and startup incubation; mobilizing public, private and venture capital from home and abroad; establishing a clear and streamlined legal framework for controlled pilot models; developing modern and sustainable infrastructure; and strengthening transport connectivity.

According to Ngoc, these pillars will shape Hoa Lac not only as a growth engine for Hanoi but also for the wider Capital Region.

He urged enterprises operating in the park to review their development roadmaps to ensure synchronized, modern and efficient investment, avoiding waste.

“We must join hands to develop Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park into a strong magnet for investors, enterprises, research institutes and universities,” said Ngoc.

Most importantly, we must stay true to the city’s goal of establishing a growth model driven by science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and high-quality human resources, with Hoa Lac at the core. This will make a significant contribution to the development of the capital, the Capital Region and the country,” Ngoc said.

Five strategic sectors

At the meeting, Vu Xuan Hung, Director of the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park Management Board, said land clearance remains the most urgent task. The people’s committees of Hoa Lac and Phu Cat communes are expected to complete site clearance for the remaining 98.86 hectares in 2026.

Functional zoning will be adjusted to create large, ready-to-use land plots for strategic investors.

Hung said attracting investment and strengthening production capacity are also priorities.

“The management board will focus on drawing major corporations in five strategic sectors: artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, semiconductor chips, advanced biomedicine and aerospace, while preparing for emerging fields such as quantum technology,” Hung said.

A portfolio of flagship projects will be developed alongside competitive and flexible incentive packages.

The board has proposed special mechanisms and sufficient land reserves to attract reputable investors such as Rosen Partners, Arizona State University, Meta and the US Semiconductor Industry Association in 2026.

With 987 hectares available for lease, the park targets an occupancy rate of around 60% by the end of 2026.

To improve connectivity, the board recommended early implementation of the West Lake-Ba Vi axis, initially from Ring Road 4 to Hoa Lac, along with expanded links to the park, the widening of National Highway 21 and completion of the internal ring road in Phu Cat commune.

Four new bus routes connecting downtown Hanoi to Hoa Lac will begin operating on March 1. Authorities are also adding pick-up and drop-off points to better serve workers.

Social infrastructure remains limited. After the revised Capital Law takes effect, the board will propose dedicated policies for social infrastructure development and submit them to the city council, Hung said.

A pilot accommodation project of about 2–3 hectares funded by the city budget is under consideration to serve experts and workers.

Technical infrastructure has been developed using Japanese ODA and currently meets demand. To prepare for future growth, Hung stressed the need to ensure a stable electricity, water and telecommunications supply.

In surrounding areas, smart urban zones will be developed to support the park. In 2026, investors will accelerate construction of the 600-hectare Tien Xuan Smart Urban Area. A transit-oriented development at Km26 of Thang Long Boulevard will be promoted alongside Metro Line 5 from Van Cao to Hoa Lac.

Building an integrated ecosystem

Nguyen Trung Chinh, Chairman of CMC Corporation, said the company is investing in an R&D complex in Hoa Lac that includes a research center, data center and core technology laboratories in AI and semiconductor chips. Groundbreaking is expected in April.

Chinh said CMC’s three pillars of R&D, software export and university education require close spatial integration. He called for more flexible planning mechanisms to meet the comprehensive needs of large technology groups and prevent fragmentation. CMC also seeks sufficient land to develop a university campus aligned with its long-term vision.

Major General Do Minh Phuong, Deputy CEO of Viettel Group, said Viettel has seven active projects in Hoa Lac and has received strong support from the management board.

Under its development plan, Viettel has proposed expanding by 40 hectares, including 25 hectares for high-tech activities and 15 hectares for a park. Long-term demand could reach 100 hectares to build a large-scale research and production hub. Some projects have been appraised but are delayed due to site clearance issues.

Phuong emphasized the need for stable and consistent policies, particularly in energy supply for data centers and other high-tech facilities.

Representing universities in the area, Hoang Minh Son, Director of Vietnam National University - Hanoi, said the western urban area and Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park should be viewed strategically, with universities forming the foundation.

Incentive mechanisms applied to the hi-tech park should be extended to the university urban area to ensure synchronized development, Son said.

He stressed the importance of building an integrated ecosystem linking universities, research institutes and enterprises based on three pillars: infrastructure, institutions and human resources.

Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong called on the management board to develop a proactive communication strategy to attract investors and review the surrounding areas for residential planning.

He also urged improvements in transport connectivity, healthcare and education services to attract residents and businesses.

Phong asked the board to modernize governance practices to meet investor expectations in the new context. Relevant departments and localities were instructed to accelerate site clearance, a prerequisite for attracting universities and investors.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang noted that Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park was first proposed in 2005 but has yet to fully meet expectations.

Since its transfer to city management in 2023, progress has improved with new and expanded projects.

“However, given the scale of infrastructure investment and land resources, results remain below potential,” Thang said.

According to Thang, the city’s immediate task is to complete pending planning items, especially site clearance and preparation of clean land, so investors can launch projects immediately after site allocation. Administrative and land-related bottlenecks must be resolved to avoid further delays.

In the long term, Hanoi aims to transform Hoa Lac into a science and technology city and a university city capable of attracting high-quality talent.

“The city will expand land reserves and promote socialized investment in infrastructure to unlock its full potential,” Thang said.