Hanoi envisions becoming leading semiconductor center

In line with the 2021-2030 development plan and looking ahead to 2050, Hanoi is positioned to emerge as a forefront hub in the semiconductor industry.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung. Photos: The Hanoi Times

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung revealed the information during a meeting to discuss the city’s long-term planning on February 23.

According to the development plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050, Hanoi is designated as the political brain, a major economic, cultural, and scientific center.

“The city also plays a vital role in driving the development of the Red River Delta region and the whole country,” said Dung.

Despite its strong development, Hanoi faces numerous challenges and significant bottlenecks. The economic position of the capital tends to decline compared to other localities in the region. The restructuring of the economy is perceived to be slow, and a highly efficient leading economic sector has yet to emerge.

The city also faces various issues related to transportation, pollution, and flooding. The transportation network, part of the fundamental infrastructure, has not been systematically developed, especially since there are no cross-center axes connecting north-south and east-west. Meanwhile, Hanoi's population has exceeded projected levels, and relocating people out of the inner city is deemed unfeasible.

"To achieve robust development, Hanoi needs to identify its unique potentials and exceptional strengths," Dung commented.

Overview of the meeting.

The capital planning sets out several objectives for Hanoi, such as becoming a major financial and economic center of Vietnam with regional influence; and a hub for science, technology, and innovation. The city also plays a leading role in driving inclusive growth and regional development.

It also outlines the development direction for key sectors, aiming to establish itself as a leading center for the semiconductor industry, information technology and artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, and to develop high-tech agricultural products.

The Red River axis is also seen as a primary driver for Hanoi's development. The city's transportation infrastructure will have four interconnected modes: air, expressways, urban railways connected to the national railway system for interregional and international connectivity, inland waterways connected to maritime transport; and Ring Road No.4 and 5 connecting regions.

Hanoi will focus on developing an urban railway system capable of replacing personal transportation and connecting the capital center with urban centers in the Hanoi region; expanding and increasing the capacity of Noi Bai Airport and building a second airport in the Capital region.

Cao Viet Sinh, former Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, stressed the importance of accurately assessing Hanoi's position about other localities to set reasonable development goals. He believed that the planning must identify high-tech industries as breakthrough points and leading economic sectors. Accordingly, it is necessary to expand industrial parks to attract investors in the chip and semiconductor industry.

He also suggested clarifying the driving force axis, and development space in the plan, as well as having solutions to mobilize resources from the private sector and foreign sources.

Hanoi from above.

Professor Le Quan, Director of the National University of Hanoi, added that priority should be given to developing new spaces to attract investment and accelerate the development of transportation infrastructure. He emphasized that Hanoi needs a strategy for human resource development, including investment in universities.

Dream big, think big

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh pointed out that the planning has been conducted in an extensive and complex manner, integrating numerous contents, thus requiring a systematic and meticulous implementation approach.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung.

"The capital planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050, is one of the three important contents that the city vigorously has focused on in 2023 [alongside the Adjustment of the Capital's General Planning and the Construction of the Capital Law amendments]. So far, all drafts have been submitted to competent authorities for review and appraisal with a long-term vision and aspirations for future development, reflecting the capital's spirit of 'dreaming big, thinking big, finding smart solutions, and taking decisive actions,"  Thanh said.

Dinh Tien Dung, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, affirmed that the city will continue to organize and distribute economic-social development spaces along corridors, economic belts, and development axes, coupled with the mobilization and effective utilization of resources. Rational spatial arrangement will focus on concentrating the development of cultural industries, and tourism to become leading economic sectors.

In addition, he expected more efforts to leverage potentials and unique advantages, foster urban economic development to achieve breakthroughs in the coming period while enhancing urban quality and living standards, and increase urban residents' incomes.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh.

“The development plan for the Red River axis - not only as a flow of historical and cultural values enriching the culture of Thang Long - Hanoi but also as the development center of the capital, remains a priority,” he continued.

Additionally, he emphasized the viewpoint of harmonious urban-rural development aiming for continuous improvement in the quality of life for urban and rural residents.