The idea was shared at the meeting today [September 26] between Lai Zhi Hong, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou Municipal People's Government, and Nguyen Trong Dong, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi's People’s Committee. 

Nguyen Trong Dong, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi's People’s Committee meets with Lai Zhi Hong, Deputy Mayor of Guangzhou, China. Photo: The Hanoi Times

He expressed the city's desire to strengthen cooperation with Hanoi in infrastructure and waste management projects.

With the population of around 19 million, Guangzhou has developed around 600 km of urban railways, serving over 3.5 million passengers daily.

Lai also said his visit aims to implement the agreements reached between the leaders of the two cities, in which Hanoi and Guangzhou last year inked a memorandum of understanding to enhance friendly cooperative relations.

During the meeting, representatives from the Guangzhou Metro Group proposed collaboration with the Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board on planning, consulting, construction, and financing in transport projects.

Nguyen Trong Dong said with similarities between the two cities and the foundation of Vietnam-China relations, potential for collaboration will continue to expand in the future.

He said Hanoi aims to reduce private vehicles, improve air quality, and enhance the quality of life for its residents. The city has approved a plan to complete 10 urban railway lines by 2030, with a vision for 2050. Currently, two lines, Cat Linh-Ha Dong and Nhon-Hanoi Station, are in operation.

“In this context, the proposal from the Guangzhou Metro Group is very practical”, Dong said.

He said the city also seeks for international cooperation in waste management to address the daily waste output of 7,000-8,000 tons. Two waste-to-energy plants in Soc Son and Son Tay are operational but their capacity does not yet meet demand.