The Vietnamese Government encourages ministries, branches and localities to learn from other countries’ urban development models whilst doing everything to ensure the process meets sustainable development requirements.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai made the statement at a seminar themed “Sustainable Cities – Challenges and Opportunities”, jointly held by Siemens Vietnam Ltd., Co. and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) on July 10.

According Minister of Construction Trinh Dinh Dung, the process of urbanisation in Vietnam has been improved and has driven socio-economic development.

He said Vietnam has the highest urbanisation rate in Southeast Asia . The urban population is accounting for 34 percent of the nation’s population and the figure will be 45 percent in 2020 due to an annual growth rate of 3-4 percent.

However, development should not only meet people’s spiritual and material demands, but also limit its impacts on the environment, Minister Dung said.

Meanwhile, VCCI Chairman Vu Tien Loc said businesses, as a driving force for cities’ development, have recognised their role in cooperating with authorities and related agencies to develop urban areas in a sustainable way.

Lothar Herrmann, ASEAN-Pacific Siemens CEO said that Siemens’ services and system will offer sustainable solutions for cities, including those in Vietnam, which are confronting challenges in many fields, such as transport, housing, public street lighting, health care provision, energy, water supply and security.-VNA