Hanoi’s global outreach: A vibrant year of connections across borders

Asia Smart City Summit 2023

The leaders of Hanoi and delegates visited the exhibition booths at the Asia Smart City Summit 2023. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times

Under the theme "Harnessing Data – Building Sustainable Smart Cities," the two-day conference (November 29-30) has been transformed into a platform for sharing perspectives and insights on the development of intelligent urban centers. Keynote speakers include leaders representing cities in the region and provinces and municipalities across the country.

The conference's achievements have played a pivotal role in advancing the development of smart and sustainable urban areas, not only in Vietnam but also throughout the region. It now serves as a nexus for experts and businesses, both domestic and international, contributing to the establishment of Hanoi as a smart city and fostering collaborative business initiatives between Hanoi's IT enterprises and their global counterparts.

Additionally, the event has actively promoted and unveiled initiatives for digital transformation, outlined the strategic roadmap to make Hanoi a smart city by 2025, and charted the course for 2030. The conference delves into the challenges and issues that require resolution throughout the digital transformation process and the development of smart cities.

10th Vietnam-China Economic Corridor Cooperation Conference

The signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement for the economic corridor involving five provinces and cities: Lao Cai, Hanoi, Haiphong, Quang Ninh (Vietnam), and Yunnan (China). Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times

The 10th Vietnam-China Economic Corridor Cooperation Conference, involving five provinces and cities: Lao Cai, Hanoi, Haiphong, Quang Ninh (Vietnam), and Yunnan (China) took place in Hanoi from November 13-14. This conference holds significant importance in the city's foreign affairs context, especially as Vietnam and China actively implement the Joint Statement following the visit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership establishment in 2023.

The  two-day event, hosted by the People's Committee of Hanoi, focused on the theme "Expanding Forms of Collaboration and Cooperation Among Provinces and Cities in the Vietnam-China Economic Corridor for Economic Development in the New Context." It aimed to enhance and sustain positive relationships among localities by outlining substantial collaboration contents that are highly feasible and in line with the development requirements and potential advantages of the parties involved. This was achieved through specialized workshop sessions covering three central themes: Investment, Trade; Culture, Tourism, Healthcare, Education; and Transportation and Logistics.

12th Vietnam-France Decentralization Conference

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung addresses the event. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times

The 12th conference on cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities was held in Hanoi from April 13 to 15. It featured four specialized workshops and brought together almost 1,000 delegates from over 60 localities in both countries. Notably, many French and Vietnamese localities participated in the conference for the first time, representing various state and private organizations.

Under the theme "Local Cooperation: Driving Force for Comprehensive Recovery and Sustainable Development Post-Covid-19 Pandemic," the conference centered around four specialized workshops covering (1) Opportunities and Challenges in the Environment, Water, and Water Treatment; (2) Smart Cities and Digitalization; (3) Culture, Heritage, and Tourism; and (4) Sustainable Urban Development.

In addition to the main sessions, several side activities aimed to strengthen ties and foster exchanges between the localities and partners of both countries. These activities included an exhibition space to promote localities, showcasing cultural features, tourist destinations, and typical products from Vietnamese regions.

Delegates participating in the 12th Cooperation Conference between Vietnamese and French Localities visited the Temple of Literature. Photo: The Hanoi Times

The 12th conference holds diplomatic significance for Hanoi, contributing to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 10 years of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and France in 2023. It serves as a platform to promote and showcase the cultural traditions, potential, and socio-economic achievements of Hanoi and Vietnam. The conference also facilitates the sharing of perspectives, strategies, and policies of the Communist Party and the State of Vietnam on foreign affairs and international integration with French partners and the global community.

The recommendations and proposals from experts, policy planning agencies, business leaders, and project implementers underscore a shared determination to exchange experiences, share information, and assess the challenges and new opportunities in the digital age. These efforts address threats from pandemics, climate change, and environmental degradation while recognizing the importance of leveraging identity and heritage in tourism development within a "flat world."

Series of events marking 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s first visit to Vietnam

Delegates take commemorative photos at the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the historic visit of Leader Fidel Castro to Vietnam (September 1973-September 2023). Photo: The Hanoi Times

The event received wide and deep attention from both central and local authorities. The capital's people-to-people diplomacy placed particular emphasis on this momentous occasion. The series of activities comprised a symposium on "Vietnam - Cuba: A Special Solidarity Bond" hosted by the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association in Hanoi.

It also encompassed the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro's first visit to Vietnam, specifically to the liberated regions of South Vietnam (September 12, 1973 - September 12, 2023). A photo exhibition titled "Triumphant Moments of Cuba and Vietnam", organized by the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam, was also inaugurated.

ASEAN’s UNESCO Creative Cities Network Conference

The gathering saw the attendance of over 100 delegates and dignitaries, including more than 20 representatives from UNESCO Creative Cities, in Hanoi on November 18.

Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hanoi, Vu Thu Ha, presents gifts to the delegates representing UNESCO Creative Cities. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Established in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network aims to foster international collaboration among cities recognized for their global accolades, emphasizing the use of cultural resources and creativity as a cornerstone for the sustainable development of urban areas. In 2019, Hanoi officially became a member of the network, holding the designation of a Creative City in the field of design. Hanoi stands as the first city in Vietnam to join such an initiative, and it also took the pioneering step of issuing a dedicated resolution focusing on the development of cultural industries.

According to Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha, the decision to join UNESCO's Creative Cities Network marks a strategic move for the capital in terms of branding and showcasing its image across diverse creative cultural domains. This aligns with the global trajectory of development and innovation, staying in harmony with the objectives outlined in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

During the conference, Hanoi shared insights into its new development orientation, potential, and opportunities for collaboration in the realm of creative design.

“Hanoi continues to foster a vibrant environment for creative activities and is gradually turning its potential into a competitive advantage,” Ha said at the conference.