The capital of Hanoi was named the world’s 97th smartest city, moving up three places from its ranking in 2023, according to the 2024 Smart City Index.
Hanoi (VNA) – The capital of Hanoi was named the world’s 97th smartest city, moving up three places from itsranking in 2023, according to the 2024 Smart City Index.
The index was produced by the Swiss business school Institute for ManagementDevelopment (IMD) World Competitiveness Centre’s Smart City Observatoryin collaboration with the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organisation (WeGO).It listed 142 cities in all and graded them on the basis of how they useadvanced technology to improve the lives of their citizens.
Hanoihas eyed fast and sustainable development in the direction of green urban areaand smart and modern city by 2025, while aiming to cement its status as a smartand modern city and gradually connect with the regional and global smart urbanarea networks by 2030.
According to Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai, thecity has reaped significant achievements in its digital transformation overthe past time, with digital signatures being implemented and common databasecarried out at the grassroots levels to better serve the settlement ofadministrative procedures.
Together with accelerating the building of the e-administration, it has appliedscientific and technological advancements to handle urgent issues, forming elements to develop a smartcity, he said, adding that priorities have been given to infrastructure developmentin the areas of transport, tourism, healthcare and environment.
Ho Chi Minh City also made it on to the list of the world’s 142 smartest cities, ranking105th.
Zurich took the lead in the index, while Oslo came in second, followed byCanberra, Geneva and Singapore.
Singapore remained the smartest city in Asia as it excelled in areas such asproviding satisfactory basic sanitation for the poorest areas, public transportand public safety./.
The Vietnam-Asia Smart City Summit 2023, themed “Data mining – Building smart cities for sustainable development”, opened in Hanoi on November 29, discussing the capital’s related process and challenges.
Efforts to digitalise administrative procedures and promote digital transformation in Hanoi have recorded significant progress, from awareness to action in sectors, agencies, and units, contributing to creating new motivations for the capital city’s civilised and modern development in all aspects.
More than 500 businesses from many countries and territories are displaying technologies and solutions for smart urban development at the Smart City Asia 2024 exhibition that opened in Ho Chi Minh City on April 17.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
Hanoi's Tran Nhat Duat pedestrian bridge illuminated at night. (Photo: VNA) 
