As global investors increasingly measure cities against benchmarks for resilience, governance, and sustainability, Vietnamese developer Vinhomes is taking an unconventional approach: embedding internationally recognized smart-city standards into large-scale projects from the very beginning. Through 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 verified metrics.
The shift is driven by a growing demand for measurable outcomes. 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 benchmark performance and inform better policy and investment decisions. The World Council on City Data (WCCD) adds that ISO-standardized, independently verified data helps cities attract investment through transparency and comparability.
ISO 37122, developed by the International Organization for Standardization, provides globally comparable indicators for smart-city performance across mobility, energy, environmental management, digital infrastructure, governance, public safety, and innovation. It measures how effectively an urban system operates as an integrated whole. For governments and developers, the implication is clear: future cities will be judged by what they can measure and verify.
Few developers have attempted to integrate these standards before construction, but Vinhomes is pursuing exactly that path. Instead of treating certification as a post-construction credential, the company is embedding global smart-city metrics into its planning process. This strategy could place Vietnam among a new generation of countries helping redefine how future cities are conceived and evaluated.
On March 3, 2026, Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio officially 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 tailored for large-scale greenfield projects. KMAC provides strategic consulting, while WCCD and SUM oversee the certification process, with an interim certification targeted within 2026.
This approach reflects a broader evolution. Historically, many cities sought certification only after infrastructure was completed. Greenfield developments offer a unique opportunity: sustainability, digital governance, and performance measurement can be integrated from the outset. “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. “Vinhomes Green Paradise will become a model for data-driven governance, sustainability, and smart innovation.”
Situated across 2,870 hectares along the Can Gio Sea and the UNESCO-recognized Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, Vinhomes Green Paradise features 121 kilometers of coastline and a construction density of just 16%. The project’s ESG++ framework expands on traditional ESG principles by adding Regeneration and Climate Adaptation pillars. Once fully operational, it targets 100% clean electricity from offshore wind, solar, and battery storage, with a fully electric transportation network including cars, buses, boats, and a high-speed railway to Ho Chi Minh City. A dedicated Forest Regeneration and Climate Adaptation Fund supports mangrove conservation and ecological restoration.
Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of WCCD, highlighted Vietnam’s growing role: “Vietnam is emerging as one of the most promising leaders in smart and sustainable city development. We are honored to partner with Vinhomes and KMAC to ensure that Vinhomes Green Paradise achieves global recognition.” The project is also the first official participant in the “7 Wonders of the Future Cities” campaign by New7Wonders.
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” near Ha Long Bay, the project dedicates more than 2,500 hectares to green landscapes and water systems, including 680 hectares of naturally filtered sea and 200 kilometers of coastline. It is envisioned as the world’s first ESG-oriented city progressing toward the emerging ISO 37125 standard.
Together, these developments reveal a distinctive strategy. Rather than viewing international standards as external certifications to pursue after construction, Vinhomes is integrating them into the earliest stages of planning. By doing so, the company is making the case that Vietnam can help shape the next chapter of global smart-city development—one where data, governance, and environmental resilience are as important as architecture itself.
