Ho Chi Minh City seeks Moscow's help with metro planning
The Vietnamese city also proposed closer cooperation on digital government, AI-based urban management and exchanges between local officials.
Ho Chi Minh City has asked Moscow to share expertise on developing its metro and urban rail systems, with deputy Party secretary Dang Minh Thong raising the proposal during talks on November 6 with Moscow City Duma chairman Alexey Shaposhnikov.
Thong led a city Party Committee delegation to the Russian capital from November 4 to 7. He said Ho Chi Minh City wanted to improve public transport and broaden cooperation on digital government, including using AI and other technologies to oversee traffic, infrastructure, environmental issues and essential public services.
The delegation proposed revising the cities' 2003 cooperation agreement to address new priorities and increasing exchanges between officials. Thong also suggested a formal channel for cooperation linking the Moscow City Duma with the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council.
Shaposhnikov welcomed the proposals and said Moscow remained committed to closer ties. He also expressed readiness to travel to Vietnam to pursue cooperation with localities, including Ho Chi Minh City.
In separate meetings on November 5, the delegation met Moscow officials responsible for international economic relations and information technology, as well as metro management and export representatives. Discussions covered railway planning, big data, AI and digital twins for urban management, alongside tourism, trade and industry.
