Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is making a definitive leap into the future. In a strategic move to position itself at the forefront of technological innovation, the Hanoi People’s Committee has forged a powerful alliance with CMC Technology Group, a leading Vietnamese technology corporation. Their goal is ambitious yet concrete: to build an “AI City” . This partnership, formalized in a cooperation agreement for the 2026-2030 period, represents a significant mobilization of social resources to accompany the capital in its comprehensive digital and AI transformation .
This initiative is not merely a government directive but a collaborative effort to build a smart, modern, and sustainable urban center. By integrating artificial intelligence into the very fabric of the city, Hanoi is aiming to become the national hub for science, technology, innovation, and AI transformation . The cooperation with CMC is a cornerstone of this broader strategy, which also involves partnerships with other major tech giants like Viettel, MobiFone, VNPT, and FPT . This collective endeavor underscores a national commitment to embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution and leveraging technology for socio-economic development.
The Strategic Blueprint: A Partnership for Digital Transformation
The cooperation agreement between Hanoi and CMC is built upon a multi-faceted approach that covers the entire spectrum of digital and AI development . It outlines several critical areas of focus, including the development of digital government, a thriving digital economy, an inclusive digital society, and empowered digital citizens. This holistic approach ensures that the benefits of technology reach every level of society, from government administration to individual citizens and businesses.
A key driver of this collaboration is Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which emphasizes the crucial role of technology enterprises in researching, developing, and applying strategic “Make in Vietnam” technologies . This framework encourages self-reliance and innovation, positioning domestic companies like CMC as key players in the nation’s technological advancement. The partnership is structured to go beyond mere policy, with concrete programs and projects that have clear implementation roadmaps, ensuring that the vision is transformed into tangible outcomes .
Building the Digital Infrastructure Backbone
The foundation of any smart city is its digital infrastructure. For Hanoi and CMC, this means developing a state-of-the-art digital technology park. This will be a concentrated and mixed-use zone that integrates a wide array of critical technological assets . The plan is to create a dynamic ecosystem that includes hyperscale data centers, advanced cloud computing capabilities, and a core AI research and development hub.
This integrated digital technology park is envisioned as a new growth hub that will attract international businesses, experts, and investors . The goal is to gradually form a large-scale AI-Cloud-Data-Information Security ecosystem in Hanoi, positioning the capital as a premier destination for technology investment and innovation. The development of such a robust infrastructure is a strategic move to ensure data sovereignty and technological mastery for Vietnam .
The physical embodiment of this vision is the CMC Creative Space Hanoi (CCS Hanoi), a USD 300 million technology complex . With a groundbreaking ceremony held in June 2025, this 11,000 m², 23-story complex in the Tay Ho Tay urban area is designed to be more than just an office building . It is an open artificial intelligence center, dubbed C.OpenAI, and includes a comprehensive tech ecosystem featuring a modern data center, research and development labs, training facilities, and a startup incubation zone . The CCS Hanoi is a testament to the ambition and scale of the Hanoi-CMC partnership.
The AI City Vision: From Theory to Practice
Beyond the physical infrastructure, the core of the Hanoi-CMC partnership lies in the practical application of AI to solve urban challenges and improve the quality of life for its citizens. The city is set to become a living laboratory for AI-powered urban management and public service delivery .
One of the most visible applications will be the deployment of a unified AI camera ecosystem across the city . This network of smart cameras, equipped with AI video analytics platforms, will serve multiple critical functions. It will enhance public safety by enabling real-time threat detection, improve traffic flow through intelligent monitoring and management, and assist in urban management and government administration . A key aspect of this initiative is the use of “Make in Vietnam” AI camera solutions, which ensure data sovereignty and information security, a key principle in the city’s technological strategy . These cameras, part of the CMC AI Camera solution, feature over 85% of their design owned by CMC, from hardware to software and computer vision technology, enabling the identification of abnormal behavior and supporting various urban management tasks .
In parallel, Hanoi will be introducing a Public Administration Virtual Assistant . This AI Agent, which will be available 24/7, is designed to help citizens easily navigate and use online public services . It will serve as a digital concierge, providing instant answers to queries, guiding users through bureaucratic processes, and making government services more accessible and efficient. This Virtual Assistant will also support government officials by helping them search for documents, understand business processes, and exploit data more effectively for their work .
A Holistic Ecosystem: Education, Research, and Innovation
The Hanoi-CMC vision extends far beyond deploying technology for immediate administrative needs. It encompasses building a sustainable and self-reinforcing ecosystem of innovation. A key component of this is the development of an Education and Research Complex in the fields of AI, semiconductors, and digital technology . By creating a dedicated space for learning and discovery, the partnership aims to nurture the next generation of Vietnamese tech talent.
Projects planned for areas like Thuong Cat and Hoa Lac are expected to become the nucleus of a science and technology ecosystem, a hub for innovation, and a source of high-quality human resources for the capital . Through its own CMC University, the corporation will connect training, research, and business activities, fostering an environment where academic knowledge is directly transferred to commercial and public-sector applications . This focus on human capital development is critical for ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the AI city initiative. CMC will also coordinate training for officials and civil servants, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, business households, and citizens in improving their capacity to apply AI and technology platforms in production, business, and daily life .
The Broader Context: Vietnam’s Push for AI Leadership
The Hanoi-CMC collaboration is part of a much larger national movement to position Vietnam as a regional and global leader in AI . The initiative to build an “AI City” model was first announced in 2025, with Ho Chi Minh City also revealing a similar ambition in partnership with CMC and the Vietnam Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) during the World Economic Forum in Davos . This national focus on AI reflects a strategic vision to drive economic growth, enhance competitiveness, and solve complex social challenges through technology.
CMC, as a key player in this national strategy, has developed a comprehensive “AI-X” strategy . This strategy is based on its C.OpenAI ecosystem, which integrates 25 core technologies developed in-house by Vietnamese engineers . The C.OpenAI platform provides a robust foundation for developing and deploying a wide range of AI solutions, from the CMC AI Camera and Virtual Assistant to solutions for cybersecurity, legal support, and smart offices . By 2028, CMC aims to achieve a leading position in the Cloud and AI sectors, with plans to invest an additional $200 million by 2030 .
The ambition to make Hanoi an AI city is a bold and forward-thinking initiative. It is a multi-layered project that involves not just the adoption of technology but the creation of a new societal paradigm. By combining world-class infrastructure, practical AI applications, and a strong focus on education and innovation, Hanoi is laying the groundwork for a future where technology empowers its citizens, drives its economy, and creates a more efficient and sustainable urban environment. This partnership with CMC is not just a collaboration between a city and a corporation; it is a blueprint for the future of Vietnam itself.
