In the context of globalization and the powerful trends of digital and green transformation, Hai Phong is facing significant opportunities to break through and become a leading regional maritime economic center. A key driver for this journey is the emerging cooperative relationship between the city and partners in the Kingdom of Belgium, particularly the connection with the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in Belgium and Luxembourg (ViLaB).
Originating from a Strategic Vision
The cooperative relationship was strengthened following a working visit to Brussels in December 2025 by a Hai Phong city delegation led by City Party Committee Secretary Le Tien Chau. During this visit, Hai Phong's development orientations found resonance with ViLaB's technological strengths and expert network. Under the auspices of the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium, a cooperation program was proposed, focusing on three core pillars: Smart City, Green Port, and Nuclear Medicine.
Hai Phong's vision for 2050 is to become a modern, smart, and ecological industrial port city, acting as an international center for marine science and technology training and research. The proposals from ViLaB are not only compatible with this vision but also promise to be a "catalyst" for realizing the goals set out in the City Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period.
Smart City: Data-Driven Governance
One of Hai Phong's top priorities is building a smart city platform centered on citizens and businesses. ViLaB, utilizing its network of experts experienced in leading European cities like Antwerp and Rotterdam, has proposed supporting the city in building a Port-City Data Platform.
This model goes beyond simple digitization, aiming to create a "Digital Twin" of the city. This application of AI and IoT would allow for the efficient coordination of traffic, environmental monitoring, and underground infrastructure management. City authorities, including the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Construction, highly value the practicality of this proposal, viewing it as a key solution to improving urban governance and public service quality. The area along both banks of the Cam River has been suggested as a site for piloting these smart solutions.
Green Port: A Roadmap to Net-Zero
As a port city, Hai Phong is under great pressure to reduce emissions and meet the strict standards of the EU and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Potential cooperation with Belgium in the Green Port sector opens a promising path through the Shore Power project.
This project aims to provide clean electricity from the national grid to anchored ships, replacing the use of polluting diesel engines. Pilot implementation at berths 3-4 of Lach Huyen Port is expected to reduce CO2 emissions at the port by up to 70%. This will help Hai Phong reach its net-zero emissions goal by 2050 and enhance the competitiveness of its terminals. Through PortoNova—a company founded by ViLaB members—the city has the opportunity to access not only advanced technology but also preferential financial resources from European green funds.
Nuclear Medicine: Elevating Regional Healthcare
The third field of cooperation, which is both humanitarian and urgent, is the development of Nuclear Medicine at Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital. With the increasing demand for cancer screening and treatment, Hai Phong is eager to access modern technologies such as PET/CT imaging and new radioisotope therapies.
ViLaB has proposed acting as a bridge to bring technologies from SCK CEN (Belgium's leading nuclear research center) to Hai Phong. This would include support for specialized human resource training and the construction of a sustainable radioisotope supply chain. The ultimate goal is to build a high-quality, regional-level medical center that reduces the burden on central-level hospitals and offers a better chance of survival for thousands of patients.
Opportunities from Overseas Intellectual Resources
A unique aspect of this relationship is the role of the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in Belgium. This is more than a charitable organization; it is a "treasure trove" of knowledge featuring leading experts in digital infrastructure, AI, green energy, and biomedicine. Notable figures such as Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long (IoT/M2M expert), Dr. Phung Quốc Tri (nuclear energy expert), and Mr. Vo Tri Dung (PortoNova) demonstrate the high level of expertise and the dedication of the overseas intellectual community to their homeland.
Partnering with ViLaB helps Hai Phong avoid "fragmented investment" or dependence on a single supplier, thanks to the experts' capacity for independent strategic consulting and scientific criticism. Furthermore, connecting with European partners through ViLaB opens doors for the city to train high-quality human resources and transfer core technologies.
Roadmap and Future Prospects
To realize these potentials, a 1-to-5-year cooperation roadmap has been outlined, starting with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the establishment of a joint working group. The initial phase will focus on surveys, expert exchanges, and the development of pilot projects.
While some details regarding coordination methods and resource implementation still need clarification, the proactive spirit from both sides is evident. Hai Phong’s departments and sectors are actively researching how to integrate these cooperative contents into the city's development projects.
The combination of Hai Phong's ambition to reach new heights and the intellectual capacity of the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in Belgium is creating a powerful resonance. This is not merely technical or economic cooperation; it is a vivid manifestation of the policy to attract overseas Vietnamese talent to contribute to national construction. With methodical steps and high political determination, this relationship will undoubtedly contribute to making Hai Phong a "world-class livable port city," as targeted.