Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, has over 1,000 years of history. The city’s original name, Thang Long – ‘rising dragon’ – is symbolic of Hanoi’s history of overcoming adversity, while representing an ambition to become a leading city of Southeast Asia. Uniquely surrounded by 20 rivers, Hanoi is more dynamic every year – with a young population driving it into the future.
A flourishing economy helped Hanoi achieve a GRDP of USD 39.42 billion in 2018 – with an increase in the proportion of the commercial service-trade sector to 74.9% in 2018.
Thang Long boulevard
Home to 7.9 million people, Hanoi has a multi-layered culture with creativity at its heart. Exemplifying this is a rich tapestry of cultural resources, including thousands of heritage sites; 1,350 traditional craft villages; and an emerging community of designers and innovators and creative spaces across the city, preserving Hanoi’s past while establishing its future as a thriving digital-age destination.
The application of smart governance protects an existing harmony between urbanisation and nature; while education is a primary focus, with projects to support creatives; and technological solutions promote social inclusion and cultural heritage. Contemporary creative spaces showcase creativity within art, architecture, fashion and film.
Hanoi is an open city. Close relationships with members of the UCCN including Singapore, Seoul and Kobe highlight Hanoi’s aspiration for lasting cultural connections with like-minded cities internationally. Hanoi believes that, if it can maximize its creativity in an international connection environment, the city will once again realize its vision and creative aspiration named Thang Long (Soaring dragon) from thousands of years ago.
Hanoi is at a turning point. Awarded the UNESCO Cities for Peace Prize in 1999, the city demonstrated an exemplary commitment to social inclusion and sustainability, despite a history of hardship. On the 20th anniversary of this milestone, Hanoi will further these practices by implementing design-driven development, with a wider vision to become a leading creative hub of Southeast Asia.
Membership of UCCN would be transformative, offering the most important catalyst for change in Hanoi for the next 10 years – providing a launchpad for sustainable development with design at its core, enriching the lives of its citizens and overcoming overpopulation and infrastructure pressures. It would encourage a dedication to design and innovation in Vietnam’s youth, which is urbane and entrepreneurial. The designation would bind the city’s diverse projects; creative industries and institutions; and cultural heritage – creating a unified, design-focused ethos going forward.
The UCCN designation will connect Vietnam to the world through partnerships with international educational institutions and help Hanoi achieve its ambition of becoming an epicentre of design and innovation in Southeast Asia.
