As global investors increasingly evaluate cities through measurable resilience, governance, and sustainability, Vinhomes is embedding internationally recognized smart-city standards into its large-scale developments from the outset. Through landmark partnerships with global certification bodies, the company aims to demonstrate that future cities can be designed not only to be greener and smarter but also to perform against internationally benchmarked metrics.
The global competition for capital, talent, and innovation is reshaping how cities are planned. According to the OECD, data governance has become a foundational element of smart-city development, while standardized indicators such as 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 city data helps cities make better planning and investment decisions, benchmark performance, and attract investment through transparency. ISO 37122, developed by the International Organization for Standardization, establishes globally comparable indicators for smart-city performance across mobility, energy, environmental management, digital infrastructure, governance, public safety, and innovation.
Few developers have attempted to integrate these standards before a city is built, but that is precisely the path Vinhomes is pursuing. On March 3, 2026, Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio launched its Smart City Certification Project in partnership with Korea Management Association Consulting (KMAC), the WCCD, and the Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) initiative. The collaboration aims to achieve the WCCD/SUM ISO 37122 Custom Smart City Certification, a framework specifically developed for large-scale greenfield urban projects. KMAC provides strategic consulting, while WCCD and SUM oversee certification, with an interim certification targeted within 2026.
This approach reflects a broader evolution in urban development. Historically, many cities sought certification only after major infrastructure was completed, but greenfield developments offer the opportunity to integrate sustainability, digital governance, and performance measurement from the start. “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. The project features 121 kilometers of coastline and a construction density of just 16%, reflecting a strategy that prioritizes environmental resilience. Its ESG++ framework adds Regeneration and Climate Adaptation to traditional ESG principles. Once operational, the development targets 100% clean electricity from offshore wind, solar power, and battery storage, and envisions a net-zero transportation ecosystem including electric vehicles and a high-speed railway connecting to Ho Chi Minh City. A dedicated Forest Regeneration and Climate Adaptation Fund supports ecological research and mangrove conservation.
Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of WCCD, stated, “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.” The project has also become the first official participant in the “7 Wonders of the Future Cities” campaign, reinforcing its aspiration to be a benchmark for AI-ready, data-driven urban development.
Less than two months later, Vinhomes unveiled Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long, a coastal mega-city spanning over 6,200 hectares in Quang Ninh Province. Positioned as a “New Hanoi” beside Ha Long Bay, the project dedicates over 2,500 hectares to green landscapes, water systems, and mangrove forests, including 680 hectares of filtered sea and 660 hectares of forest park. It is envisioned as the world's first ESG-oriented city progressing toward the emerging ISO 37125 standard. Together, these developments reveal a strategy of integrating international standards into the earliest stages of planning, governance, and infrastructure design, positioning Vietnam to help shape the next chapter of global smart-city development.
