Hanoi Party Secretary: Police lead smart city project

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi’s Public Security force is taking a pioneering role in building the city’s smart urban development plan, said Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc at a meeting with retired police officers ahead of the Lunar New Year 2026 on February 1.

Ngoc highlighted the force’s expanding role from safeguarding security to actively shaping the capital’s long-term growth and praised the Hanoi police for leading the development of a smart city project, calling it a “necessary and sufficient condition” for Hanoi to develop in a modern, multi-center, multi-layered planning model.

“Without smart city applications, synchronous and sustainable development would not be possible,” said Ngoc.

In a new era of development, Hanoi must adopt a new mindset, move beyond traditional growth thinking and fully leverage digital transformation, science and technology, innovation and high-quality human resources to become a civilized, modern and globally livable city.”

Reporting at the meeting, Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Tung, Director of the Hanoi Public Security Department, said that despite complex and unpredictable global and domestic developments in 2025, the capital’s police force fulfilled all assigned tasks with outstanding results.

The city’s police ensured absolute security and safety for major national events, including the A80 Grand Celebration and the 14th National Party Congress, with no incidents recorded.

According to Tung, crime related to social order fell by 36.1%, while police successfully cracked down on major criminal rings involving economic crimes, drugs, environmental violations and high-tech crimes.

“The force also made notable progress in digital transformation, including the deployment of AI-powered camera systems and smart city infrastructure,” said Tung.

For these exceptional achievements, the Hanoi police were awarded the First-Class Feat of Arms Order and named a leading unit in the national “For Homeland Security” emulation movement. In December 2025, the force was honored for the fourth time with the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces in the Renewal Period.”

Higher demands, new missions in 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, a year of special importance marked by the implementation of Party Congress resolutions and national and local elections, Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc said Hanoi faces new development opportunities and challenges.

Beyond maintaining security and order, the Hanoi police are expected to strengthen their role as a “development enabler,” directly contributing to socio-economic growth.

“The city is adjusting its master plan with a 100-year vision and working to resolve five major development bottlenecks, placing high demands on public security work,” said Ngoc.

Ngoc called on the force to further professionalize crime prevention efforts, enhance its “brands” in combating crime and especially intensify the fight against cybercrime and high-tech offenses to better protect citizens in the digital space.

Responding to the guidance, Lt. Gen. Nguyen Thanh Tung reaffirmed the force’s commitment to upholding its heroic tradition, remaining united and proactive, and striving for new achievements.

Hanoi police will continue to lead in digital transformation and smart city development, helping create a secure, modern and people-centered capital,” emphasized Ngoc.