Japan's IHW eyes 2.5 ha, world-class hospital project in northern Vietnam

Japan's International Healthcare and Welfare Group (IHW) is keen on building a 2.5-hectare, world-class hospital in the capital city's North Hanoi Smart City area.

Takagi Kuninori, chairman of IHW, made the statement at a meeting with Hanoi's Vice Chairman Nguyen Manh Quyen on Monday.

Kuninori expressed his desire to be granted 2.5 hectares of land in the North Hanoi Smart City to build a 200-bed hospital, inspired by IHW's prestigious medical facilities such as Sanno Hospital and Mita Hospital, which specialize in serving politicians and high-ranking figures in Japan.

The proposed hospital is expected not only to provide high-quality medical treatment and examination services but also act as a clinical training center, where doctors from other hospitals in Vietnam can study and improve their expertise.

Kuninori, however, noted that there is yet any planning for a hospital within the North Hanoi Smart City.

In response, Hanoi's Vice Chairman Quyen said that the project not only has economic significance but also is a symbol of medical cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

He added that Hanoi will conduct a review and then respond to IWH Group's proposal.

Previously, in discussions with Nguyen Thi Nga, chairwoman of BRG Group, Kuninori was introduced to a 11-hectare plot of land about 1.5 km away from the area which is suitable for building a hospital or a school, local media reported.

However, IHW reportedly prioritizes building a hospital within the North Hanoi Smart City area to take advantage of its strategic location.

Vietnam's BRG Group and Japan's Sumitomo Group in mid-2017 signed a deal to jointly develop the North Hanoi Smart City project on an area of over 270 hectares in the three communes of Vinh Ngoc, Hai Boi, and Kim No of Dong Anh district. The project has investment capital of about $4.2 billion.

The North Hanoi Smart City project will have a 108-storey financial tower, residential-office buildings, and villas. Of which, the 108-storey financial tower, set to become the tallest building in Vietnam, is considered the center of the project.

On November 11, 2023, North Hanoi Smart City Development Investment JSC (NHSC) - a joint venture between BRG Group and Sumitomo Group - officially announced the implementation of the project. It is located next to Nhat Tan bridge, which connects inner Hanoi with Noi Bai International Airport.

It will be implemented over nine years and in five phases, with phase 1 covering 72.7 hectares, phase 2 (67.5 hectares), phase 3 (65.7 hectares), phase 4 (30.2 hectares), and phase 5 (35.3 hectares), and is set to complete in the final quarter of 2032.