An evaluation of sustainable development levels in cities using multi-criteria decision-making methods: a case study of three major Vietnamese cities

Evaluating and ranking the sustainability levels of cities is a complex decision-making task that plays a crucial role in supporting urban management. This study investigates the application and comparison of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods in the assessment of urban sustainability. Based on a comprehensive review of existing studies in the field of sustainable development, the research identifies prevailing trends in the use of MCDM approaches and reveals that their application in specific national contexts — particularly in Vietnam — remains limited. To address this gap, multiple MCDM techniques are applied to evaluate and compare the sustainability levels of three major Vietnamese cities — Hanoi, Can Tho, and Ho Chi Minh City — using a framework based on 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results are further examined through sensitivity analysis to identify key criteria influencing the evaluation outcomes and the robustness of results. The findings demonstrate that different MCDM approaches vary results due to their data-processing mechanisms and decision logic, highlighting the importance of a multi-method approach. Overall, the study provides a robust decision-support framework that can assist urban planners in promoting sustainable urban development in Vietnam and other similar contexts.