Ho Chi Minh City plans to become a smart city, and the task requires concerted efforts by the administration and information technology community, a city leader has said.
HCM City plans to become a smart city, and the task requires concerted efforts by the administration and information technology community, a top city leader has said (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)
HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City plans to become asmart city, and the task requires concerted efforts by the administration andinformation technology community, a city leader has said.
Speaking at a March 10 meeting with informationtechnology executives, Tran Vinh Tuyen, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’sCommittee, said: “Information technology is the most important factor insuccessfully building a smart city, and the city would like to seek solutionsand contributions from information technology companies.”
Nguyen Quoc Cuong, deputy director of the city’sDepartment of Information and Communications, said the city is drafting amaster plan to build a smart city in 2017-20 that seeks to ensure a highquality of living and working and sustainability.
“The project should appraise the current digitalcapability, identify priority fields and then come up with a detailed roadmapto create the smart city.
“The smart city’s central mission will be theconvenience of local residents, create an open playing field for all companiesand take advantage of all international and domestic resources, and this willneed close co-operation between research institutes, scientists, technologycompanies, and financial organisations.
“City authorities should pledge to support thetask and the achievements should be measured based on international standardsand the city’s peculiar conditions.”
The city has already begun to work on the smart city programme, creating acommon city-wide database with an open eco-system and conceiving links betweenthe smart city and its long-cherished administrative autonomy plans.
The smart city will comprise three technicalaspects - a data collection system with cameras, censors, and devices for theInternet of Things and information technology system, a database system, and ananalysis system.
“To operate a smart city will requireprofessional managers and staff,” Cuong said.
Authorities would guide universities and research institutes in trainingrequirements, he said. “The smart city will not depend on any[particular] suppliers and have a unified architecture and easy connectivitybetween all levels of authorities, from city to commune.”
At the meeting, the IT business executivesdisplayed many solutions for a smart city.-VNA
HCM City plans to have a paper-free administration, digitising all documents in Government offices to streamline administrative procedures and reduce costs, a top leader has said.
Ho Chi Minh City wants to learn from Singapore’s experience in building a smart city, particularly in tackling traffic congestion, managing water resources and preventing flooding.
US firms wish to collaborate with Ho Chi Minh City in developing a smart city, heard a meeting between the US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Mary Tarnowka, business representatives and local authorities on January 10 in the city.
Everyone who wants smooth movement on roads in Ho Chi Minh City now can visit the city’s traffic website at giaothong.hochiminhcity.gov.vn, which made its debut on January 19.
The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is willing to assist Ho Chi Minh City in becoming a smart city, USTDA Country Manager David Ross told Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen on March 10.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
HCM City plans to become a smart city, and the task requires concerted efforts by the administration and information technology community, a top city leader has said (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn) 
