Vietnam aspires to learn about smart city growth from US

On March 28, Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi highlighted this matter during a meeting with US ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper.

Nghi asserted that Vietnam is an active member of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network. He indicated a willingness to enhance collaboration between the Ministry of Construction and US agencies and partners in the sector, particularly those with expertise in smart city development.

According to YCP Solidiance case studies, following the conclusion of the Smart City Asia Summit 2022, all eyes are on the expansion of Vietnam's smart cities, particularly as more consumers and investors become aware of the value of sustainable and smart urban environments.

Some regions in the country are in the process of building their own smart city blueprints, taking into consideration the infrastructure and quality of life requirements of their residents.

Vietnam has shown its interest in smart cities and has acted. In 2020, the government approved the Programme for National Digital Transformation for the 2025–2030 period as a roadmap for each city and province to develop their own smart cities.

"Yet, obstacles continue for well-established urban centres like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, complicating and delaying overall infrastructure development," stated the report.

Smaller cities, like Danang, have easier routes to becoming smarter since the adjustments are made to brand-new projects as opposed to existing ones.

Before October 2022, Danang Department of Information and Communications' Department of International Cooperation and the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam organised a smart city and digitalisation cooperation programme. The event drew 28 ICT companies from the United States to learn about the investment and partnership potential in Danang, including for smart city development.

Developing smart city projects is a big trend in Vietnam currently, but there are plenty of lessons from various developed countries that the country should prioritise to adapt with the global trend’s barriers and risks before gaining benefits.

To successfully convert into a smart city, Danang must create a breakthrough and reinvent itself in light of the current mechanisms and policies.

The KONE DX class elevator with built-in connectivity was named as the winner of the “Vietnam Smart City Award 2022” for smart building solutions at VINASA’s annual ceremony on December 1.