Delegates from the Hanoi People's Committee and Ile-de-France join a group photo.
On November 15, Permanent Vice Chairman Duong Duc Tuan of the Hanoi People's Committee met a delegation from Ile-de-France led by Anne-Louise Mesadieu, Regional Councilor in charge of external relations.
The two sides reviewed cooperation from 2022 to 2025 and discussed plans for 2026 to 2029.
Since early 2022, Hanoi and Ile-de-France have carried out many joint initiatives. One highlight is the Moov'Hanoi program, launched in 2023 to improve sustainable transport, scheduled for completion in mid-2026.
The two sides also advanced projects under the QV2 Program on quality of life and urban quality, such as improving Dien Hong Garden in the former Hoan Kiem District, reducing solid waste and air pollution, and strengthening sustainable urban planning.
Cooperation extended to circular-economy projects and heritage conservation, including the restoration of the French-style villa at 49 Tran Hung Dao – 46 Hang Bai.
Both sides also supported the Temple of Literature Center and the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, while the ancient town of Provins in Ile-de-France and the Thang Long Citadel continued joint heritage promotion as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
At the meeting, Tuan said Hanoi is hosting many activities as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network 2025. The restored villa at 49 Tran Hung Dao is also an exhibition venue for this program.
He agreed with Mesadieu's assessment of the effectiveness of joint initiatives, especially Moov'Hanoi and the restoration of the French villa, which has become a symbol of bilateral cooperation.
Tuan praised the contributions of Emmanuel Cerise, Director of the Paris Region Expertise (PRX) in supporting heritage-restoration projects.
He also acknowledged expert feedback on expanding Dong Kinh – Nghia Thuc Square and reorganizing traffic on Dinh Tien Hoang Street.
The Vice Chairman said these insights help improve Hanoi's urban landscape.
Tuan asked Ile-de-France to continue assisting Hanoi in preserving heritage in the historic inner city, including Cua Nam Ward, as the city is carrying out many conservation projects for old architecture, historic streets, and urban renewal while developing new urban areas.
Permanent Vice Chairman Duong Duc Tuan of the Hanoi People's Committee speaks at the meeting.
He instructed local departments and Cua Nam Ward to work with Ile-de-France to finalize cooperation plans for 2026–2029.
Promoting the value of French villas in Hanoi
The delegation attended the announcement ceremony for the new Hanoi–Ile-de-France project on conserving the villa at 46 Hang Bai.
Tuan said the project is a model for restoring French villas in Hanoi and should be replicated widely as many villas need conservation and revitalization.
He emphasized that the project reflects shared knowledge, respect for heritage, and a vision of balanced development between tradition and modernity.
The new phase aims to turn the villa into a cultural and creative space for communities, artists, and researchers from both countries.
Tuan thanked Ile-de-France, the Cultural Heritage Department, and experts for supporting Hanoi in heritage preservation.
He said the villa will serve as a cultural bridge between Vietnam and France and prove the strategic vision of both sides to treat heritage as a resource for development.
Hanoi and Ile-de-France became the first Vietnam–France local partnership in 1989.
Their cooperation in sustainable development, urban planning, culture, and heritage has become one of the most successful local-level partnerships between the two countries, bringing tangible benefits to Hanoi's cultural and urban development.