Smart cities part of national digital transformation drive in Vietnam

Smart city development must be closely linked with strong information infrastructure and e-government development.

Vietnam has built policies and made efforts to develop smart cities as it considers it one of three key tasks in the national digital transformation process, stated Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The Prime Minister said smart urban development is really “a big game” that needs to be joined by many “players” with vision and resources, towards realising the goal of happiness, comprehensive human development, environmental protection and sustainable development of urban ecosystems, the Vietnamese government leader affirmed.

Vietnam defines smart and sustainable urban development as a breakthrough direction to contribute to improving the national competitiveness, he went on.

He underlined that smart city development must be closely linked with strong information infrastructure and e-government development, towards an digital government.

It also needs to focus on promoting the added value brought about by new technologies and techniques, as well as the distinctive cultural identities of ASEAN member nations, he noted.

Besides, it is necessary to attract the strong participation of the private sector in boosting innovation and creativity, he emphasised.

The PM asked for continued promotion of scientific strategic and high-quality human resources development programmes, as well as harmoniously linking innovation and digital transformation programmes with sustainable smart city rban development orientations.

Meanwhile, head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh said developing smart cities is an important way to effectively tap opportunities brought by the fourth Industrial Revolution, towards sustainable development for each country. this one of three key tasks in the national digital transformation process, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has stated.

Smart urban development is really “a big game” that needs to be joined by many “players” with vision and resources, towards realising the goal of happiness, comprehensive human development, environmental protection and sustainable development of urban ecosystems, the Vietnamese government leader affirmed.

Vietnam defines smart and sustainable urban development as a breakthrough direction to contribute to improving the national competitiveness, he went on.

He underlined that smart city development must be closely linked with strong information infrastructure and e-government development, towards an digital government.

It also needs to focus on promoting the added value brought about by new technologies and techniques, as well as the distinctive cultural identities of ASEAN member nations, he noted.

Besides, it is necessary to attract the strong participation of the private sector in boosting innovation and creativity, he emphasised.

The PM asked for continued promotion of scientific strategic and high-quality human resources development programmes, as well as harmoniously linking innovation and digital transformation programmes with sustainable smart city rban development orientations.

Meanwhile, head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh said developing smart cities is an important way to effectively tap opportunities brought by the fourth Industrial Revolution, towards sustainable development for each country.

However Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van stated experience gained from other countries reveals that a city cannot “go smarter” without smart planning and effective tools to manage the development of urban areas based on such planning.

The construction ministry’s draft strategy on urban area development to 2030 and vision to 2050 highlights that the building of smart cities is important in turning Vietnam into a modern and industrialised nation with high incomes by 2045, he said.

Despite its damaging impact, COVID-19 has opened up opportunities to raise awareness among urban authorities about the significance of technology in day-to-day life, Van said, and this creates the premise for the development of smart cities in Vietnam and ASEAN as a whole.

Meanwhile, President of the International Society of City and Regional Planners Alfonso Vegara stressed that regional planning should be taken into account while developing planning for Hanoi’s smart urban areas.

He went on to explain that design for smart cities must include sound regional connectivity as well as digitalised infrastructure connectivity, to boost future comprehensive growth.

President of the Association of Cities in Vietnam Vo Hong Anh said planning for the development of smart urban areas should be integrated into long-term urbanisation strategies.

Planning for smart cities must be seen as a solid foundation for socio-economic development, and the planning process needs the engagement of ministries, scientists, and private enterprises, she added.

On a regional scale, smart city networks should be shaped to create better lives for local people, the official said, adding that only with smart planning can local authorities optimise the management of urban development, improve livelihoods, and create development opportunities to ensure that no one is left behind.