Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang presents a commemorative gift to the Governor of Tokyo, Ms. Koike Yuriko. Photo: Nguyen Tuyen/VNA.
On April 28th, as part of their working visit to Japan, a high-level delegation from Hanoi, led by Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang, met with Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko; attended the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 high-tech exhibition; participated in the Global Cities Network for Sustainable Development (G-NETS) 2026 Summit; and held bilateral meetings with representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Japan, at the meeting, Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko welcomed the high-level delegation from Hanoi to the capital. Governor Koike Yuriko especially thanked the Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Vu Dai Thang, for accepting the invitation to attend and present a paper at the G-NETS conference session, as well as participating in the dialogue on sustainable development between Tokyo and the capitals of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Governor expressed her hope that G-NETS 2026 and the dialogue session would strengthen relations between Tokyo and cities, especially the capitals of Southeast Asia, including Hanoi.
Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Vu Dai Thang thanked the Governor of Tokyo for inviting Hanoi city leaders to attend the Tokyo forum on sustainable technology development and artificial intelligence (AI) applications, assessing it as an opportunity for city leaders to come together to exchange and discuss technological issues and digital transformation. Chairman Vu Dai Thang noted that Tokyo’s consecutive hosting of G-NETS for three years has fostered connections between cities. He added that GNETS 2026, focusing on sustainable technology development and AI applications, is particularly meaningful and relevant to the development of cities today. Chairman Vu Dai Thang stated that at G-NETS 2026, Hanoi will present the current state of Vietnam’s implementation of AI-related applications, sustainable development, and the practical application of high technology.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang met with Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko. Photo: Nguyen Tuyen/TTXVN.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Vu Dai Thang, also expressed his gratitude to Tokyo and Japan for their support over the years in developing Hanoi’s economy , industry, and environment. He emphasized that the official Memorandum of Understanding between the two cities, signed in 2013, has proven effective, and the friendly relations between the two cities are a testament to the remarkable development of relations between Vietnam and Japan in all fields. The Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee expressed his hope that in the future, Hanoi and Tokyo will continue to build upon the Memorandum of Understanding, working together to further develop in many areas such as high technology, green transformation, and energy transition. Chairman Vu Dai Thang respectfully invited the Governor of Tokyo and his colleagues to visit Hanoi as soon as possible.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang speaks at the closing plenary session of the G-NETS 2026 Conference. Photo: Nguyen Tuyen/TTXVN
At this year’s G-NETS meeting, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang presented a paper on the topic of “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology .” Mr. Vu Dai Thang stated that Hanoi is implementing the “AI First” principle, using data and AI as the foundation for building a digital government and improving governance efficiency. According to Chairman Vu Dai Thang, AI has been widely applied in many fields, helping to improve public services, reduce costs, and increase interaction with citizens, most notably through the iHanoi platform.
Responding to a question from a delegate at the forum regarding concerns that AI would lead to mass layoffs, the Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Vu Dai Thang, stated that AI needs to focus on people, citizens, and businesses. He affirmed that while AI applications will not lead to mass layoffs, there will be a review process to arrange positions that match individual capabilities, as well as appropriate policies and regulations to ensure the rights of employees. He emphasized that AI is not intended to reduce the workforce but rather to shift the job structure towards higher quality.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang attends the closing plenary session of the G-NETS 2026 Conference. Photo: Nguyen Tuyen/TTXVN
At the closing plenary session of the conference, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang, Governor of Tokyo Koike Yuriko, and representatives from cities around the world unanimously adopted the conference’s Joint Declaration.
On April 28th, the Hanoi delegation attended the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 high-tech exhibition at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center. Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Vu Dai Thang, visited the exhibition areas of Vietnamese digital transformation and technology businesses, expressing his delight at the development of Vietnamese digital transformation and technology startups.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang listens to a presentation by a representative of a Vietnamese digital transformation enterprise at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026. Photo: Nguyen Tuyen/TTXVN.
On the same day, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang held a bilateral meeting with representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). During the meeting, the Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee stated that with high growth demands and ambitious targets, Hanoi has significant resource requirements. Besides Vietnam’s own resources, Hanoi places great hope in traditional investors as well as new sources of financing to support its development. The Chairman emphasized that bilateral and multilateral partners, especially the ADB, are among the partners Hanoi wishes to cooperate with. He also thanked the ADB for its support to Hanoi regarding the Line 3 railway project, which has helped ensure the project is progressing on schedule.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang held a bilateral meeting with representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Photo: Nguyen Tuyen/TTXVN.
Representing the ADB, Mr. Winfried Wicklein, Director General of the Southeast Asia Department, thanked the Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Mr. Vu Dai Thang, for taking the time to receive the delegation. Mr. Wicklein also thanked Mr. Vu Dai Thang for sharing positive information about the progress of Hanoi’s Line 3 railway. He affirmed that the ADB’s technical team would make every effort to complete the project as soon as possible. Mr. Wicklein also suggested that, in parallel, Hanoi and the ADB could jointly review and assess which programs and projects related to urban rail, science and technology, and other modes of transport should be implemented next.
Previously, on April 27th, a high-level delegation from Hanoi met with young Vietnamese experts and scientists in the fields of science, technology, and digital transformation in Japan. At the meeting, held at the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, representatives of young Vietnamese scientists in Japan presented proposals regarding the application of technology, digital transformation, and urban planning for the city. After listening to the proposals, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang stated that the meeting demonstrated the effective work of young Vietnamese intellectuals in Japan, further highlighting Hanoi’s determination to continue making science and technology and innovation a crucial driving force and to transform Hanoi into a major scientific center in the future.
According to the plan, on April 29th, the high-level delegation from Hanoi will continue its activities within the framework of the working trip, including working with Japanese ministries, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Sumitomo Corporation, and attending the Dialogue between Tokyo and ASEAN Capitals chaired by the Governor of Tokyo.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/ha-noi-tokyothuc-day-hop-tac-cong-nghe-va-phat-trien-ben-vung-20260428225558241.htm
