The World Council on City Data (WCCD) has officially awarded Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio the Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification, recognizing the project’s substantial progress in smart city development aligned with international standards. This milestone positions the 2,870-hectare development in Ho Chi Minh City as a potential benchmark for future cities worldwide, with full certification expected upon commencement of operations.
Dr. Patricia McCarney, President & CEO of WCCD, emphasized the significance of the certification: “This WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification recognizes Vinhomes’ long-term vision and commitment to developing a smart, sustainable, and future-ready urban model.” She noted that the project now has a powerful data baseline to monitor development goals in smart urban governance, infrastructure, technology, and sustainability, ensuring full certification once operations begin. “We congratulate Vinhomes on this important certification milestone, a global first, setting a new precedent for greenfield developments in cities worldwide,” she added.
The certification follows a comprehensive assessment based on a customized indicators framework developed by WCCD for greenfield projects, incorporating core principles of ISO 37122, one of the world’s most respected smart city standards. This framework allows for year-over-year monitoring, ensuring that the development remains on track to meet international benchmarks.
Vinhomes Green Paradise is uniquely positioned, overlooking the Can Gio Sea and adjacent to the UNESCO-recognized Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, which spans over 75,000 hectares. The project boasts a low construction density of just 16%, preserving natural landscapes. Vinhomes is pioneering an enhanced ESG++ model structured around five pillars: Environment, Social, Governance, Regeneration, and Climate Adaptation. Upon full operation, the urban management system aims to utilize 100% clean electricity from renewable sources and achieve 100% net-zero emission transportation.
A key initiative is the establishment of a Forest Regeneration and Climate Adaptation Fund to finance research, restoration, and long-term resilience efforts, with a focus on regenerating the Can Gio mangrove ecosystem. This aligns with Ho Chi Minh City’s climate adaptation strategy and underscores the project’s commitment to biodiversity conservation.
The certification reinforces Vinhomes Green Paradise’s pioneering vision and its role as the first Official Participant in the “7 Wonders of the Future Cities” campaign initiated by New7Wonders. Mr. Chulse Oh, Head of AX Group at Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC), commented, “The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification marks an important milestone in realizing the vision of a world-class smart city in Vietnam.” KMAC will continue to support the project in developing smart city solutions and implementation strategies.
This achievement highlights the growing importance of standardized metrics for smart and sustainable urban development. By leveraging the ISO 37122 framework, Vinhomes Green Paradise is setting a precedent for other greenfield developments globally, demonstrating how data-driven approaches can guide the creation of future-ready cities. The WCCD, established in Canada in 2014, works with over 125 cities across 40 countries to promote ISO standardized city data. Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM), a partner in this initiative, provides customized certification services for new developments, further advancing the global movement toward smarter, more sustainable urban living.
