UK professional services firm Arup seeks to help develop Ho Chi Minh City urban infrastructure

Arup Group CEO Jerome Frost discussed potential cooperation with Nguyen Loc Ha, standing deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration, on Friday, focusing on urban planning, transport infrastructure and sustainable development.

Frost highlighted the potential of digital twin technology to improve urban management and planning, and shared Arup’s experience in mobilizing private capital for infrastructure projects.

Ha welcomed the group’s expertise and called for further cooperation in integrated urban planning, transport connectivity, urban railway development and ways to capture land value increases associated with transport infrastructure.

Arup has operated in Vietnam for more than 20 years and participated in various projects and studies related to Ho Chi Minh City, Ha said.

Its work has included reviewing the urban railway network plan, conducting a technical review of the basic design for metro line No. 2, providing design consultancy for the basic design of the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh railway, and studying metro line No. 4.

The group has also participated in transit-oriented development (TOD) studies, including in the Hang Xanh area, and projects involving Long Thanh International Airport, the Thu Thiem New Urban Area and Landmark 81.

Following the merger of Ho Chi Minh City with the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces in July 2025, the city needs to strengthen infrastructure connectivity across the expanded metropolitan area, Ha said.

Its priorities include developing a modern, integrated transport system, expanding urban railways and TOD, accelerating green and digital transitions, and improving urban governance.

Ha also urged Arup to strengthen professional exchanges with municipal departments and the city’s research and training institutions.

Responding to the proposals, Frost said urban planning needed to adapt to economic changes, social needs and evolving development conditions, with modern technology enabling authorities to simulate scenarios, assess investment impacts and adjust plans to actual needs.

He cited Arup’s digital twin project in Madrid, Spain, which uses a virtual model of the city’s systems and operations to support urban planning and management.

In Shanghai, China, Arup had recently completed a project mapping the city’s water systems, including clean water and wastewater networks, their interconnections and flood-prone areas.

According to Frost, this approach helps Shanghai authorities monitor actual conditions, identify problems that need to be addressed and consider upgrading water supply systems.

He expressed interest in exploring similar applications in Ho Chi Minh City.

Frost also stressed the importance of mobilizing private capital for infrastructure development, as governments face budget constraints and growing investment needs, particularly amid climate change challenges.

In 2025, Arup advised private investors worldwide on infrastructure investments worth more than US$200 billion in the energy, airport and railway sectors, he said.

He said public-private partnerships could help attract private investment by bringing the public and private sectors together.

Arup could help Vietnam study ways to attract foreign private investment and structure projects to meet international investors’ expectations while addressing infrastructure needs, Frost said.

He added that Arup sought to build long-term partnerships with cities by first understanding the needs of local authorities and relevant professional agencies.

Both sides will continue discussions to identify specific cooperation opportunities aligned with Ho Chi Minh City’s development priorities and practical needs.