Alongside Metro Line Project No. 2, both sides discussed cooperation on the North Hanoi Smart City Project and the development of Low Emission Zones (LEZ).
Recently, Mr. Tran Duc Thang, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, and Head of the Hanoi National Assembly Delegation, held a courtesy meeting and working session with Mr. Uno Yoshimasa, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Ito Naoki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Viet Nam.
Commending Viet Nam’s recent reform efforts, Mr. Uno Yoshimasa expressed his desire, together with the Japanese business community, to contribute to Hanoi’s long-term development orientation and 100-year vision.
Politburo Member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Tran Duc Thang at the meeting with Uno Yoshimasa, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan. Photo: Hanoi People’s Committee.During the meeting, both sides held in-depth discussions on Metro Line No. 2, considered a symbolic project in bilateral cooperation, with expectations to accelerate progress, ensure effective implementation, and bring it into operation soon.
Under Hanoi’s master plan with a 100-year vision, the city aims to develop 18 urban railway lines with a total length of around 1,200 km, targeting completion within 10-15 years. The city also emphasizes comprehensive technology transfer, from manufacturing and operation to maintenance, to enhance the long-term self-reliance of Vietnamese enterprises.
Highlighting the importance of Metro Line No. 2, Secretary Tran Duc Thang expressed confidence that once operational, the project will clearly reflect Japan’s imprint in Hanoi and Viet Nam more broadly. He also called on the Japanese side to strengthen coordination with the Hanoi People’s Committee to address challenges during implementation.
In response, Mr. Uno Yoshimasa noted that Japan has implemented many large-scale infrastructure projects worldwide, including in India, and is fully capable of effectively transferring technology to Viet Nam. He affirmed that after completing Metro Line No. 2, Japan stands ready to continue participating in other railway projects in the future.
Hanoi Party Secretary Tran Duc Thang poses for a group photo with delegates. Photo: Hanoi People’s Committee.The two sides also discussed other areas of mutual interest, including the North Hanoi Smart City project and plans for low-emission zones. Secretary Tran Duc Thang affirmed that Hanoi will create the most favorable conditions for Japanese enterprises to invest and operate effectively in the city.
Regarding the roadmap to limit fossil fuel-based vehicles, he noted this is an inevitable trend for major cities to reduce environmental pollution. Hanoi plans to implement it in phases, starting with pilot programs and gradually expanding, alongside supportive policies to help residents and businesses adapt.
He also called on Japanese vehicle manufacturers, including Honda, to support Hanoi's green transition by developing environmentally friendly products.
Secretary Tran Duc Thang emphasized that Japan and its localities remain especially important partners of the capital. Over the years, Hanoi has received valuable support from Japan across infrastructure, healthcare, and education, with many projects leaving a strong and lasting impact.