The signing ceremony was attended by UK Member of Parliament Matt Western, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Vietnam, and UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew.

Under the MoU, signed by HCM City Vice Chairman Bui Xuan Cuong and UK Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Alex Smith, both sides pledged to deepen co-operation by carrying out specific projects and programs. The agreement is expected to enhance the city’s technical capacity, project management, and execution, while also opening more opportunities for business partnerships and investment.

The two sides will expand information-sharing, jointly assess development potential, and promote cooperation and investment projects in urban planning, construction, infrastructure, and transport.

Cooperation will focus on sustainable and smart urban development through policy exchanges on urban planning and management; transit-oriented development (TOD) with financial mobilization strategies, frameworks, and implementation models; and capacity-building for HCM City leaders and officials in urban management.

In infrastructure, the co-operation will cover planning, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities; adopting advanced technology solutions; attracting investment for key projects; and improving technical operations. In transport, both sides will support the development of a modern, sustainable, smart public transit system; cooperation in railway technology and training; experience-sharing in planning and maintenance; and the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in transport and metro projects.

At the ceremony, MP Matt Western affirmed that the MoU provides a foundation for future cooperation and demonstrates the UK’s commitment to supporting both central and local-level cooperation.

MP Matt Western stressed that the UK is committed to working alongside Vietnamese partners by sharing experience in planning, mobilizing finance, and collaborating with the private sector to advance public transport infrastructure, thereby contributing to economic growth and improving the quality of life for the Vietnamese people.

On behalf of municipal leaders, Vice Chairman Bui Xuan Cuong stressed that, building on over 50 years of diplomatic ties and 15 years of strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK, Ho Chi Minh City is proud to be among the key localities advancing bilateral relations. He expressed hope for continued support from the UK in the city’s development process as a contribution to more substantive and effective progress in the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership.

HCM City, UK strengthen partnership in digital transformation, innovation

The UK Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on science, technology, and innovation cooperation during the opening session of UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025 on March 27.