HANOI, VIETNAM – In a move that signals a shift in how large-scale urban developments are conceived, Vinhomes is embedding internationally recognized smart-city standards into the planning process of its new projects from the outset. This approach, which involves partnerships with global certification bodies, aims to demonstrate that future cities can be designed to be greener, smarter, and more accountable to measurable performance metrics.
The global competition for capital, talent, and innovation is increasingly driven by a city's ability to produce measurable outcomes. According to the OECD, data governance has become a foundational element of smart-city development, while international standards like ISO 37122 enable cities to measure performance consistently and benchmark against global peers. The World Council on City Data (WCCD) notes that ISO-standardized, independently verified data allows cities to make better planning and investment decisions and attract investment through transparency.
Vinhomes is taking this to heart. On March 3, 2026, the company launched its Smart City Certification Project for Vinhomes Green Paradise - Can Gio, in partnership with Korea Management Association Consulting (KMAC), the WCCD, and the Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) initiative. The goal is to achieve the WCCD/SUM ISO 37122 Custom Smart City Certification, a framework tailored for large-scale greenfield projects. KMAC will provide strategic consulting, while WCCD and SUM will oversee the certification, with an interim certification targeted within 2026.
This partnership reflects a broader evolution in urban development. Historically, cities sought certification after infrastructure was built. Greenfield projects offer a unique chance to integrate sustainability and performance metrics from day one. “This project symbolizes a landmark collaboration between Vietnam and Korea in advancing global smart city standards,” said Mr. Chulse Oh, Head of AX Group at KMAC. “By combining Vinhomes' visionary urban development with KMAC's consulting expertise and WCCD/SUM's global certification framework, Vinhomes Green Paradise will become a model for data-driven governance, sustainability, and smart innovation.”
Vinhomes Green Paradise spans 2,870 hectares, bordered by the Can Gio Sea and the UNESCO-recognized Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. With 121 kilometers of coastline and a construction density of just 16%, the project prioritizes environmental resilience. Its ESG++ framework adds Regeneration and Climate Adaptation to traditional ESG pillars, targeting 100% clean electricity from offshore wind, solar, and battery storage, and a net-zero transportation ecosystem. A dedicated Forest Regeneration and Climate Adaptation Fund supports mangrove conservation and research.
Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of WCCD and Director of SUM, highlighted Vietnam's growing role in urban innovation. “Vietnam is emerging as one of the most promising leaders in smart and sustainable city development. The Vinhomes Green Paradise is a remarkable new development in Vietnam that deserves global recognition.”
Building on this, Vinhomes introduced Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long on April 25, 2026, a coastal mega-city spanning over 6,200 hectares in Quang Ninh Province. Positioned as a “New Hanoi” near Ha Long Bay, it dedicates more than 2,500 hectares to green landscapes and water systems, including 680 hectares of naturally filtered sea and 660 hectares of forest park. The project is envisioned as the world's first ESG-oriented city progressing toward the emerging ISO 37125 standard.
Together, these developments illustrate a strategy of integrating international standards into the earliest stages of planning, rather than treating them as post-construction credentials. By building around these frameworks from the outset, Vinhomes is positioning Vietnam to help shape the next chapter of global smart-city development, where data, governance, and environmental resilience are as important as architecture.
