Vietnam-Asia 2024 Smart City Conference Held in Hanoi

On December 2, the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) partnered with the Hanoi Department of Information and Communications to host the Vietnam-Asia 2024 Smart City Conference. The event focused on the theme of “Smart Urban Areas – Digital Economy – Sustainable Development.”

As per VINASA’s chair, Nguyen Van Khoa, Vietnam has seen significant urbanization, with 902 urban areas by the end of 2023. This growth reflects an urbanization rate of 42.7 percent, contributing to 70 percent of the national GDP from urban economies.

Khoa emphasized the need for innovative growth drivers amid a fluctuating political, economic, and technological landscape. He suggested that pursuing a digital and green economy, alongside new technologies, could provide viable solutions.

Tran Ngoc Linh, from the Ministry of Construction’s Urban Development Department, addressed the current smart city initiatives in Vietnam. Out of 63 centrally administered cities and provinces, 48 are working on or have implemented smart city plans.

Furthermore, specific regions are testing smart urban development in select cities before applying successful models more broadly within their provinces.

In terms of smart urban planning, various regions are prioritizing the creation of smart planning platforms, including urban databases and GIS technologies, which are now being utilized in 43 cities and towns.

Additionally, 57 localities are focusing on delivering smart services to their residents, particularly in transportation, healthcare, education, and alert systems.

Officials highlighted significant hurdles to advancing smart city projects in Vietnam, including insufficient promotion of smart urban practices, a lack of comprehensive legal frameworks, and inadequate mechanisms for resource mobilization. The challenge of engaging the private sector poses a barrier to garnering necessary societal resources.

Research from RMIT Vietnam revealed that smart and sustainable urban development is shifting towards a third phase, which emphasizes community involvement over exclusive reliance on governmental bodies or technological solutions.

The research advocates for adaptable policy frameworks that embrace new technologies, bolster climate resilience, and foster smart governance. Additionally, cooperation and shared experiences among cities are vital for resource optimization and building a sustainable foundation.