Ho Chi Minh City and Los Angeles are expanding their bilateral relations

DNHN - US time, the delegation from Ho Chi Minh City arrived on July 20 by Mr Phan Van Mai, Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, and President of the City People's Committee. The head of Ho Chi Minh City met Ms Nina Hachigan, Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles City, to trade and learn about establishing a smart city.

City department representatives Ho Chi Minh and the Los Angeles city administration reviewed a variety of problems, including the smart urban master model, data integration; the challenge of social housing development, developing of public transportation, reducing personal traffic...

"During this trip, the Ho Chi Minh City delegation wishes to study Los Angeles City in many fields, but first and foremost, especially management of smart city construction and areas where the two sides have a lot of potential for cooperation," Chairman Phan Van Mai said. The Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City also stated his desire for a direct flight between the two cities so that people and companies on both sides may travel more readily.

The Los Angeles City Government highlighted its experiences and approaches for constructing and administering a smart city at the meeting. Specifically, focused on the implementation of numerous information technology applications, the use of digital technologies, and the use of digital technologies in activities. 

Especially important is the availability of open data allowing individuals to freely access and contribute ideas. As a result, the government can enhance services and people's lives.

Nina Hachigan, Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles, stated she had visited the city twice. Ho Chi Minh City discovered several parallels between the two places. She aims to strengthen the bilateral partnership in sectors such as economic cooperation and commerce. Los Angeles' Deputy Mayor also intends to attract more Vietnamese firms and students to study and invest in the city.

Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Nina Hachigan praised Ho Chi Minh City's development priorities, agreeing with the Chairman of the City People's Committee's ideas and recommendations. Ho Chi Minh Phan Van Mai spoke about the two sides' official collaboration and stated that it will be implemented as soon as feasible.

Ho Chi Minh, Chairman of the City People's Committee, Phan Van Mai, and the delegation met with US firms in Los Angeles as part of the working program. Chairman Phan Van Mai spoke about the benefits of investment in Ho Chi Minh City, in particular, offers a stable political climate, solid connectivity with neighbouring provinces in the region, a highly trained labour population, and a strong commitment to strengthening the business environment to attract investors. When international companies visit the city. 

"Ho Chi Minh City is dedicated to providing the greatest environment possible for businesses to invest in the city." "Ho Chi Minh is founded on the idea of mutual benefit," President Phan Van Mai stated. According to Chairman Phan Van Mai, areas in which Ho Chi Minh City seeks to collaborate include the development of road transport infrastructure, digital and digital transformation, digital governance, smart city management...

During this tour, Ho Chi Minh City presented ten projects soliciting funding from US firms in Los Angeles. Ho Chi Minh City, for example, the Ho Chi Minh City Expressway. Ho Chi Minh - Moc Bai Expressway, Can Gio Bridge, Ring Road 4...

Representatives of US enterprises in Los Angeles appraised Vietnam's and Ho Chi Minh City's potential and benefits in enticing businesses to invest in Vietnam. According to Mr Marco Breu, a founder member of MCKinsey Company, Vietnam has an advantage of well-trained youthful labour. This is one of the reasons why many foreign companies wish to relocate to Vietnam. According to him, while urban growth in Vietnam is slower than in other nations, this provides an opportunity for Vietnam to encourage investors to participate in this industry.

Meanwhile, Mr Samson Mengistu, Chairman of Mengistu Advisor, believes Vietnam is ready to welcome investment. As someone who has worked in strategic consulting for a long time, he believes that to attract investors, Ho Chi Minh should boost direct flights between the two cities.

The city's working committee met in the afternoon of the same day. Ho Chi Minh City's delegation met with the Bechtel Corporation. With an annual contract worth $15 to USD 20 billion, this is the largest construction business in the United States.

Phan Van Mai, President of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, indicated his willingness to collaborate and encouraged the firm to visit Ho Chi Minh City. Bechtel's capabilities, according to a comrade, are particularly fit for Ho Chi Minh City's infrastructure development demands. 

Ho Chi Minh City has a high demand for infrastructure development, thus the city wishes to negotiate funding arrangements for implementing infrastructure projects with Bechtel Company.

Bechtel indicated an interest in two Ho Chi Minh City projects: the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai motorway and the Can Gio bridge project. Chairman Phan Van Mai stated that when he comes home, relevant units would provide Bechtel with full information on these projects, as well as basic terms for Bechtel to invest in Ho Chi Minh City.

PV