Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and delegates at the ground-breaking ceremony of Hà Nội's first smart city in Đông Anh District. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Work has started on Hà Nội’s first smart city project in Đông Anh District, with an investment capital of more than US$4.2 billion.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, leaders of ministries, branches and Japanese officials attended the event to mark the beginning of construction on Sunday.

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 Hà Nội 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 Việt 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 Hà Nội and will include 5G technology, face recognition and blockchain technology, contributing to improving the services of Hà Nội.

The project has received close cooperation from the Japanese Government, helping Việt Nam promote the implementation of the programme on sustainable development of smart cities in Việt 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