Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and delegates at the ground-breaking ceremony of Ha Noi's first smart city in Dong Anh District. — VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat

Work has started on Ha Noi’s first smart city project in Dong Anh District, with an investment capital of more than US$4.2 billion.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, leaders of ministries, branches and Japanese officials attended the event to mark the beginning of construction yesterday.

The project, the largest in the country invested by a joint venture between BRG Group and Sumitomo Corporation of Japan, is in the north of Ha Noi on ​​272 hectares.

It will be built in five phases, which are all scheduled to be operational by 2028, and will contain digital technologies including smart energy management, transportation systems, security management, classroom systems, economics and smart life.

The highlight will be the 108-storey financial tower, with the investors saying it will become a financial hub for not only Viet Nam, but the whole of Southeast Asia.

The city will be equipped with a multifunctional system to monitor air quality, water, weather, disaster risk as well as security, ensuring maximum safety for residents.

Smart building management system and renewable energy technology will also be applied.

Its environmentally-friendly public transport system will connect with the centre of Ha Noi and will include 5G technology, face recognition and blockchain technology, contributing to improving the services of Ha Noi.

The project has received close cooperation from the Japanese Government, helping Viet Nam promote the implementation of the programme on sustainable development of smart cities in Viet Nam from 2018 to 2025 and a vision to 2030.

During that time, they want more similar developments in the North, Central, South and Mekong River Delta regions. — VNS