Investing
Where real estate and urban development meet
Published
5 months agoon
The Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) itself, if properly planned and implemented, can lower the barrier to the use of public transport, lessen the dependency on private vehicles, contributing to the liveability of communities and cities, write Avison Young Vietnam analysts.

A corner of Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Dan Tri (Intellect) newspaper.
Like many cities in Asia Pacific, the rapid growth of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city is in tandem with urban challenges, including traffic congestions, housing shortages, overburdened public facilities, and lack of recreational places and green areas.
Both cities are piloting the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model – an urban planning and development method that promotes efficient and balanced land use by locating housing, public facilities, commercial, and entertainment space in the vicinity of public transportation nodes.
Looking into real cases of TOD, this analysis offers insights into potential development directions for the real estate market in Hanoi and HCMC.
Trusted public-private partnership critical to the development of TOD
The TOD model aims to create dynamic and liveable urban areas by concentrating jobs, housing, services, and amenities around urban railways (Mass Rapid Transit, MRT) or rapid buses (Bus Rapid Transit, BRT).
Development or redevelopment under the TOD model requires a multi-functional approach, combining residential units, commercial spaces (offices, retail), and entertainment venues to attract residents, workers, shoppers, and visitors.
On the one hand, TOD can induce higher ridership for public transport, foster the certainty of demand which is critical for cashflow projection, and likely to be of interest to infrastructure investors.
On the other hand, it can provide real estate developers with the probability to estimate the population size, traffic flow, footfall, and growth potential of an area. Another aspect is that from TOD developments, new revenue sources arise from the space surrounding and within the stations, cultivated from advertising, taxation, etc. and can be shared among stakeholders.
Opportunities emerges for public-private partnerships in infrastructure investment and project development.
“The proper TOD development requires a clear vision and long-term planning, high levels of co-ordination between different stakeholders, and consistency across levels of implementation (from regional to municipal agencies). Here comes the critical node of transparency and trust building among stakeholders, apart from financial resources, capability and long-term commitment,” said David Jackson, principal and CEO of Avison Young Vietnam.

David Jackson, principal and CEO of Avison Young Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the company.
Real cases of TOD adoption
Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, is an example of large-scale, mixed-use TOD projects that converge to form “closed urban areas” – essentially cities within cities.
In 2011, the federal government of 21 cities developed a regional growth strategy (RGS) called Metro Vancouver 2040: Shaping Our Future. This plan emphasizes the concentration of mixed-use TOD developments around public transport hubs, identifying key locations and providing design and construction guidelines, especially in areas with limited land availability.
Based on this master plan, local governments and real estate developers adapted their strategies, redeveloping traditional industrial and commercial land into high-density, self-contained complexes of housing, retail, office, and public spaces.
These projects are directly linked to or located near public transportation, such as SkyTrain rapid rail lines and the TransLink bus system. Today, Metro Vancouver has become the most populous region in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, capable of accommodating millions of new inhabitants each year thanks to sound planning and design based on three pillars: architecture, infrastructure, and sustainability.
Another example is the Shibuya Station’s redevelopment in Tokyo, Japan. Shibuya station has eight rail lines go through the central area and a daily ridership of about 2.1 million people.
However, the area had a lack of public space, congestion, complex line transfers, insufficient capacity, and decrepit buildings. Office vacancy rate in Shibuya has been declining, pushing the rise of average office rents faster than the five central wards of Tokyo.
Adding to those challenges is the public budget constraints and the demand for sustainable energy use. Hence, there was a desire to reduce the impact of redevelopment of the Shibuya railway terminal on the public budget.
The TOD model is adopted for Shibuya redevelopment project, and it is being completed in stages, with the participation from both the public and private sectors, including key stakeholders: Tokyu Corporation, Tokyo Land Corporation, East Japan Railway Co., and Tokyo Metro Co.
The integrated city-station redevelopment enhances accessibility among various urban spaces for city residences and visitors, also turning the stations to not only transport hubs but also integrated city spaces.
Closer to Vietnam, there is the example of the efficacy of TOD in Singapore. The city state has integrated its urban transit development with spatial design and planning, resulting in a constellation of satellite towns that surround a central core, with rail networks that link these towns to industrial parks and the city centre.
These satellite towns are self-sustaining, with common public amenities within walking distance and a reduced need to venture out for common daily needs.
Singapore’s adoption of TOD also includes affordable public housing in well-connected areas. Joint developments come from the efforts of state agencies and key value chain players for TOD such as real estate businesses, financiers, legal and construction advisors.
The robust urban planning and TOD help instil confidence for the participation of developers and investors, also technology providers and operators.
Mixed-use TOD projects with a focus on sustainability
TOD itself, if properly planned and implemented, can lower the barrier to the use of public transport, lessen the dependency on private vehicles, contributing to the liveability of communities and cities.
This is in line with the goals of sustainable development in real estate: conserving energy, reducing emissions, and promoting healthy lifestyles. “That said, developing projects in an integration with TOD model can create sustainable communities which balance the benefits of people, the environment, and the economy,” Jackson added.
In the case of Metro Vancouver mentioned above, beyond mixed-use functionality, the area also emphasizes sustainability in its development projects.
On the notion of green real estate projects often being associated with heightened development costs, the answer can be found in the 2013 report of “The Business Case for Green Building: A Review of the Costs and Benefits for Developers, Investors, and Occupants” by the World Green Building Council. In this report. the authors analysed five key aspects of business benefits associated with green building development:
Design and construction costs
Green building construction does not necessarily have to be more expensive if cost, environmental, and project management strategies are integrated into the development process from the outset.
Asset value
As investors and tenants become more aware of the environmental and social impacts of a project, green-certified buildings tend to have higher liquidity and asset value.
Operating costs
Green buildings reduce long-term operating and maintenance expenses by minimizing energy and water usage.
Workplace productivity and health
The design and indoor environment of green buildings can enhance worker health and well-being, leading to increased productivity and benefits for businesses.
Risk mitigation
Effective risk control can significantly influence future rental rates and property values, thereby affecting the return on investment (ROI).
Implications for Vietnam
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city have long been the economic magnets, hosting the highest number of businesses in Vietnam. As the two major hubs, these are also the most populous cities in the country, of which HCMC takes the lead with roughly 9.5 million people and a population density of 4,513 people per square kilometer.
Hanoi follows with a population of more than 8.5 million and 2,556 people/km2 in terms of population density. If using the criterion of 10 million people for a megacity, HCMC is going to become the first megacity in the country, and Hanoi is expected to follow soon. Hence the pressure on land management and infrastructure development will only be heightened if not being properly addressed.
The two cities are adopting the TOD model as one of the solutions for sustainable urban development, prioritizing the construction of urban railway lines to meet travel demands and address traffic congestion.
By 2030, with a vision towards 2050, Hanoi is expected to have eight metro lines, three monorail lines, and eight BRT lines. Currently, Line 2A (Cat Linh-Ha Dong) and Line 3 (Nhon-Hanoi Station section) are operational.
Meanwhile, HCMC plans to develop eight metro lines, one tramway, and two monorail lines by 2030; among which Line 1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien), with three underground stations and 11 elevated stations, nearing completion.
While financial puzzles, a commonality of urban development in developing countries, are to be tackled, some good insights can be learnt from the real cases mentioned above.
Additionally, the case of Singapore shows that TOD can contribute to suburbanization. On the one hand, the expansion of urban railway network improves connectivity, increases accessibility, and enables the ease of travelling. On the other hand, it helps to shape satellite communities, in a sense new suburban CBD.
For developers, the suburban development cost is usually not too high, hence they can deliver to the market real estate products at more affordable prices. And it has long been known that property prices tend to go up when infrastructure and connectivity are improved, something of interest for both developers and investors.
But for the above-mentioned to be realized, a concerted planning and implementation is in place. Not to mention that the robust projection of revenue, and long-term commitment are crucial to call for participation from real estate developers, infrastructure investors, technological providers, operators, etc.
“It is also of great importance to ensure transparent communication, keeping all stakeholders engaged and get them buy-in along the way,” Jackson concluded.
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Investing
Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched
Published
2 months agoon
April 27, 2025Bac Giang International Logistics Centre was launched on April 22 with an investment of $168 million, and is expected to become a crucial link in the global supply chain.
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Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launch |
Being invested by CNCTech Group, Dolphin Sea Air Services Corporation and Thien An Investment JSC, the logistics centre is located on National Highway 1A, which boasts first-class warehouse supply to meet the growing demand in the northern Vietnamese market.
Its strategic position within the golden economic triangle of Hanoi – Haiphong – Quang Ninh provides convenient connectivity to industrial zones and key logistics centres via national highways No.1A and No.37.
The centre is designed to meet growing demand for logistics infrastructure from businesses in Bac Giang and neighbouring provinces, positioning the area as a new node in northern Vietnam’s logistics network.
The project is a strategic product as a key component of the logistics spearhead in CNCTech Group’s industrial and logistics infrastructure ecosystem. It has been approved by the prime minister as a national level-II logistics centre, covering a planned area of 67 hectares.
At the launch ceremony, Chairman of Bac Giang People’s Committee Nguyen Viet Oanh said, “In recent years, the province’s socioeconomic development has made remarkable strides. Transportation, urban, industrial, and social infrastructure have been synchronously invested in and have yielded high efficiency. However, the province’s logistics service sector has not yet matched its potential, advantages, and socioeconomic development level. The logistics system remains fragmented, transportation costs are high, and trade delivery times are prolonged.”
Recognising this bottleneck, the local authorities have focused on directing the robust development of the logistics system, incorporating it into the provincial plan. This includes developing eight comprehensive logistics centres covering nearly 500ha, three inland container depots, and 33 inland waterway ports.
“Bac Giang, with its strategic location between Hanoi and border provinces, has long been known as a dynamic industrial hub. The remarkable development of the province’s industrial parks has created a solid foundation for the establishment of Bac Giang International Logistics Centre. This centre is not only located on vital transportation routes such as Hanoi-Lang Son Expressway but also directly connects to major border gates, optimising the transport of goods from Bac Giang to the world,” said Oanh.
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A model of the logistics centre |
The project is not merely a warehousing facility, but also a symbol of the integration of modern infrastructure and advanced technology. The centre includes multifunctional warehouse areas, customs-controlled warehouses, non-tariff warehouses, and automated warehouses, meeting the needs of various industries. Notably, it integrates end-to-end logistics solutions, supporting businesses in optimising transportation costs and enhancing production efficiency.
With a long-term vision, the centre aims not only to optimise domestic supply chains but also to become a key connection point in the global logistics network.
Nguyen Van Hung, chairman of the Board of Members of CNC Tech Group, shared, “The establishment of this centre is a strategic step in developing Vietnam’s logistics infrastructure. We are committed to long-term and robust investment in this sector, as logistics is not just infrastructure but an indispensable part of enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses on the international stage.”
Vietnam has taken strong action to promote green development among businesses, amid the country facing challenges in finance and technology.
Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam told the fourth Summit of the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G), organised last week in Hanoi, that Vietnam is focused on strategic breakthroughs to prepare for a national development process that is fast, inclusive, and sustainable.
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The summit in Hanoi covered areas from finance and banking to agriculture and technology Photo: Dung Minh |
“We will strongly transform political commitments into practical actions, creating motivation for businesses and the whole society to participate in sustainable economic development, in which green institutions are the decisive foundation,” General Secretary Lam stressed at a hall attended by government leaders, UN representatives, diplomats, experts, and entrepreneurs.
General Secretary Lam also stressed that when it comes to green transformation, despite being a developing country with a transitional economy and limited resources, Vietnam has achieved some important results.
Besides making a 2050 net-zero commitment in 2021, Vietnam also endorsed six global initiatives at the time, on forest and land use, methane, clean power transition, sustainable food and agriculture, and more.
“Vietnam is now a leading country in supplying renewable energy in ASEAN, with wind and solar power capacity accounting for two-thirds of ASEAN’s total capacity,” he said.
“Additionally, Vietnam is also a good example of encouraging sustainable agriculture. The initiative to develop one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission specialised rice is a pioneering model that many partners and international organisations are interested in.”
A greener future
Vietnam is an active and responsible member of all multilateral mechanisms and major initiatives on green growth and energy transition such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and the P4G.
“However, as a developing country with a transitional economy, we also face many challenges in terms of financial resources, technology, personnel, and resilience to the impacts of climate change and geopolitical fluctuations globally,” said General Secretary Lam.
The summit adopted the Hanoi Declaration, strongly affirming commitments to sustainable growth with people at the centre, and a determination to collaborate responsibly in addressing current global challenges. Vietnam is expected to enjoy continued support from the international community in its journey to a green economy including energy transition.
According to the World Bank, to ensure sufficient funding for responding to climate change, mobilising domestic finance is possible, but external support is needed.
Overall, Vietnam’s total incremental financing needs for the resilient and decarbonising pathways could reach $368 billion over 2022–2040, or approximately 6.8 per cent of GDP per year.
The resilient pathway alone will account for about two-thirds of this amount, as substantial financing will be required to protect the country’s assets and infrastructure as well as vulnerable people.
The cost of the decarbonising pathway will mainly arise from the energy sector – investments in renewables and managing the transition away from coal might cost around $64 billion between 2022 and 2040. All the figures are in net present value terms at a discount rate of 6 per cent.
This $368 billion in financing needs will include $184 billion from private investments or about 3.4 per cent of GDP annually, $130 billion or about 2.4 per cent of GDP annually from the state budget; and $54 billion or about 1 per cent of GDP per year from external sources.
Choi Youngsam, South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, said that within the P4G framework, South Korea and Vietnam have completed or are currently implementing joint projects in areas such as food and agriculture, energy, water, and urban development.
“Looking ahead, both sides are expected to broaden and deepen their partnership under the P4G framework,” he said.
At the P4G Summit held in Seoul in May 2021, the two governments signed the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in Response to Climate Change, laying a solid policy foundation for the implementation of international emissions reduction ventures.
“On this basis, I hope that South Korea will leverage its technological expertise and financial resources to carry out greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in Vietnam, with both countries mutually recognising the results,” Ambassador Youngsam said.
“This would contribute to establishing a win-win model of emissions reduction cooperation. At the same time, I look forward to seeing active engagement from South Korean enterprises possessing green technologies, in close collaboration with the Vietnamese government.”
Encouraging developments
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh said at a policy dialogue on the sidelines of the P4G 2025 that the active participation and strong cooperation from stakeholders – from the public and private sectors to international organisations – can help materialise Vietnam’s aspiration of an efficient and sustainable innovative startup ecosystem.
“Innovation, creative entrepreneurship and collaboration are key to solving environmental problems, while encouraging the development of a circular economy,” he said.
Vietnam currently has over 4,000 innovative startups, including two unicorns valued at over $1 billion, 11 companies valued at over $100 million, more than 1,400 startup support organisations, 202 co-working spaces, 208 investment funds, and 35 business promotion organisations. Among these, it is estimated that around 200–300 companies focus on green transition, covering areas such as renewable energy, environmental technology, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosting the fourth P4G Conference is of great significance to Vietnam. It is aimed to boost its role as a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of P4G and the international community. Moreover, it is also aimed to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable development, energy transition, and the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Besides that, it is aimed at contributing to raising awareness of international cooperation and encouraging the role and voice of developing countries in the sector of green growth and sustainable development.
Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister
For Vietnam, together with digital transformation, we identify green transition as an objective necessity, a key factor, and a breakthrough driving force to promote rapid growth and sustainable development. This aligns with the strategic goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045, while also contributing to the gradual realisation of Vietnam’s commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. From practical experience with initial positive results, especially in renewable energy, green agricultural development, and participation in multilateral mechanisms and initiatives on green transformation, as the host of the fourth P4G Summit, Vietnam has three suggestions for discussions which pave the way for further cooperation in the coming time. First is to perfect green mindset, with a focus placed on the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation linked to green growth. This includes recognising that green resources stem from green thinking, green growth is driven by green transition, and green resources arises from the green awareness of people and businesses in nations and regions throughout the world. Second is to build a responsible green community, in which, the government plays a guiding role, encouraging, and ensuring a stable and favourable institutional environment for green growth. The private sector functions as a core investor into technological development and the dissemination of green standards. The scientific community take the lead in developing green technologies and training green human resources. Meanwhile, citizens continuously enhance their green awareness, truly becoming beneficiaries of the outcomes of green transformation. Thirdly, it is necessary to promote international cooperation and robust multilateral green cooperation models, particularly public-private partnerships, South-South cooperation, North-South cooperation, and multilateral cooperation frameworks. This is aimed at removing institutional barriers, enhancing access, and speeding up the flow of green capital, green technology, and green governance. Developed countries should take the lead in fulfilling commitments to provide financial, technological, and institutional reform support. Meanwhile, developing countries would need to leverage their internal strengths and effectively utilise external resources. |
Investing
Public-private partnerships a lever for greener innovation
Published
2 months agoon
April 26, 2025Public-private partnerships are no longer a supporting mechanism, but a strategic pillar in the global pursuit of the green transition.
The high-level dialogue between government leaders and businesses at the 2025 P4G Vietnam Summit last week, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, brought together senior officials, global experts, international organisations, and private sector leaders.
They recognised that the climate crisis, digital transformation, and resource depletion are converging in ways that demand not only innovation, but deep and long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed acknowledged Vietnam’s leadership in renewable energy, noting its potential to attract trillions in sustainable investment.
“Emerging economies must accelerate the adoption of new investment models, particularly those that align private capital with green infrastructure priorities. Governments must work with the private sector to expand ambition, strengthen accountability, and deliver real impact,” she said.
From Italy, Prime Minister’s Climate Envoy Francesco Corvaro stressed that public-private partnerships (PPPs) are indispensable in addressing climate finance gaps. Drawing from Italy’s experience, he underscored the importance of public investment as a risk mitigator, enabling private sector participation in clean energy and smart infrastructure projects.
“Public investment can unlock private capital, but local authorities must lead with clear priorities and long-term vision,” Corvaro noted. “You can’t talk about renewables, AI, or digital infrastructure without modern, resilient grids, and that requires strong public-private alignment.” he said
Alejandro Dorado, Spain’s High Commissioner for Circular Economy, argued that the case for stronger PPPs lies at the intersection of two accelerating forces: the environmental-climate crisis and a wave of disruptive technologies.
“In a world where AI, green technologies, and digitalisation are reshaping the global economy, the clock is ticking. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we have less than a decade to prevent irreversible climate disaster. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum has identified biodiversity loss as one of the most severe economic risks,” he said.
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Dorado added that while multilateralism is being questioned or weakened in some quarters, the need for cooperation has never been more urgent – both to solve environmental challenges and to harness the transformative potential of innovation.
“No government or business can tackle these crises alone. Public authorities must provide the regulatory frameworks, fiscal incentives, and infrastructure deployment needed at scale to safeguard the common good,” he stressed.
From the business side, Stuart Livesey, country representative of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), provided a frank but optimistic outlook. Livesey stated CIP’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s transition, but emphasised the need for enabling conditions.
“What we seek are clear, bankable projects underpinned by stable regulatory frameworks, collaborating with strong local partnerships. This is where public-private cooperation becomes not just helpful, but essential,” Livesey noted. “Over the next 10-15 years, the offshore wind sector and green energy consumers will trigger massive demand for new technologies, digital solutions, and skilled labour.”
To meet this demand, CIP is investing not only in infrastructure, but also in capacity building, research and development, and local supply chain development through partnerships with Vietnamese universities.
Still, he acknowledged barriers. “Technological application and innovation in green projects face challenges, from long-term financing constraints and skilled labour shortages to fragmented policy signals. These are not unique to Vietnam, but they require proactive, tailored local solutions,” he said. “Addressing issues such as grid availability, regulatory clarity, and inter-ministerial coordination will be critical.”
Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, stated that the banking sector is ready to facilitate green finance, particularly in sectors aligned with national climate targets.
“We see ourselves as a bridge between global capital and local sustainability goals. The clearer the pipeline of bankable, climate-aligned projects, the faster we can move capital,” he noted. “What’s crucial now is consistency in policy and coordination among stakeholders to ensure these projects reach maturity.”

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