Deputy PM urges stronger push for smart city development
The Deputy PM applauded the task force’s preparation, stressing that smart urban development is not a choice but an inevitable trend for countries aiming for sustainable growth, improving the quality of life for people, and strengthening urban governance and operation.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung chairs the first meeting of the inter-agency task force for coordinating smart city construction and development in Hanoi on July 16. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) -ඣ Greater focus on smart urban development is key to advancing the digital and urban economy, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung stated at the first meeting of the inter-agency task force for coordinating smart city construction and development in Hanoi on July 16.
The Deputy PM applauded the task force’s preparation, stressing that smart urban development is not a choice but an inevitable trend for countries aiming for sustainable growth, improving the quality of life for people, and strengthening urban governance and operation.
If developed effectively, the digital economy can significantly boost national growth, he noted, adding that with proper planning and the integration of IT and digital transformation, the urban economy can also become a strong driver of economic development.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
According to the deputy PM, the formation of the inter-agency task force is timely and crucial, serving as a central coordinator to advance institutional development, resolve arising challenges, and assist localities, especially the six centrally-run cities, in implementing pilot smart urban projects.
He assigned the Ministry of Construction to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology and other relevant ministries and agencies to draft a decree under fast-track procedures and submit it to the Government before August 15.
The meeting gave the go-ahead to the establishment of a task force responsible for coordinating and guiding eligible localities in implementing smart city development plans in line with the established roadmap. The task force will also supervise the implementation of relevant projects, and report to the Prime Minister on arising challenges, and propose solutions and policy improvements.
Delegates also reviewed a preliminary report on the implementation of Vietnam’s sustainable smart urban development project for 2018–2025, with a vision to 2030 (Project 950), and provided input on the Government’s draft decree on smart city development.
Ministries, agencies, and localities are required to develop their action plans based on assigned functions and responsibilities and submit them to the task force before July 25. They are also asked to thoroughly review the draft decree and send their feedback to the Ministry of Construction no later than July 20.
The Ministry of Construction is asked to coordinate with the Government Office to collect feedback on the draft decree, and conduct study tours to learn experience of countries with successful smart urban development. Regarding the review of Project 950, the Ministry of Construction is tasked with working with the Ministry of Science and Technology to prepare for the final evaluation by the end of this month.
The Deputy PM called for a clear roadmap to promote smart city-related industries, aiming to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.
He proposed integrating digital transformation with smart city development by selecting several pilot communes or wards and establishing a clear investment roadmap to avoid a “scattered and overlapping” approach that could lead to waste, delays, and missed opportunities for localities.
He also highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in smart urban development./.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications and the Francophone University Agency (AUF) organised an international conference on November 4 discussing ways to branch out high-quality labour force for the southern economic hub’s development of smart urban areas.
A ceremony was held in Hanoi on August 13 to inaugurate the Vietnam – Korea cooperation centre for smart city and construction technology (VKC) by the Ministry of Construction and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Ho Chi Minh City is aiming for a digital economy contributing about 25% and 40% to its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) by 2025 and 2030, respectively.
With the government's strong direction and active participation from businesses and citizens, national digital transformation is deepening, with a focus on building a digital government, economy, and society.
VietNEST (Vietnamese Nurturing Education for Science & Traditions) is a mobile app and digital platform for Vietnamese language learning among overseas children.
The networks bring together universities, research institutes and domestic and foreign businesses. Members will work closely in training, research, and technology transfer by sharing curricula, improving faculty capacity, providing access to laboratories and research facilities, and jointly implementing science and technology projects.
The Better Choice Awards (BCA) 2025 is a key highlight in the lead-up to Vietnam Innovation Day that falls on October 1, an annual event expected to attract hundreds of innovative enterprises, research institutions, investment funds, and startups from both Vietnam and abroad.
The new line serves as a critical backup route, strategically complementing existing submarine cables and enhancing the resilience, proactivity, and security of Vietnam’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Vietnam is actively yet cautiously preparing for the construction of its first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan (now the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa). The resumption of the programme after years of suspension carries considerable significance for the nation’s development in a new era as it strives to gradually reduce and ultimately phase out coal-fired power to realise the Government’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050.
The government leader reaffirmed Vietnam’s goal of achieving self-reliance in the design, manufacturing, and test of necessary semiconductor chips by no later than 2027.
With the launching of its two-tier local administration model, the city is incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to enhance service delivery for citizens and businesses, aligning with the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.
Vietnam has issued many key policies to support semiconductor development, notably the Politburo’s Resolution 57 on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Other initiatives include the Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, and the Human Resources Development Programme for the Semiconductor Industry.
Vietnam is no longer just an emerging blockchain market, it is stepping into a leadership role, with global investors, developers, and experts recognising its growing potential to become a leading hub for digital assets in the region.
Taking place on August 1–2, the event features more than 20,000 attendees and over 200 speakers from Vietnam, the h Korea, Singapore, the UAE, Hong Kong (China) and the US.
Dung directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to revise the national startup scheme, ensuring it clearly defines the scope and content, grounded on strong political and legal foundations, international best practices, and well-reasoned arguments for submission to the Government.
The two-day academic forum, themed “Resilience, Sustainability & Digital Transformation in a Changing World: Perspectives from Southeast Asia”, aims to share interdisciplinary research insights, focusing on adaptive capacity, sustainable development, and digital transformation amid evolving global and regional landscapes.
With such a rapid economic growth, Vietnam must diversify energy sources and nuclear power is a rational choice to ensure the national energy security, said Associate Professor Kei Koga from the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasised that Vietnam has a clear strategy and ambition in this field, and is rapidly emerging as a central hub and key link in the regional and global semiconductor value chains.
According to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest Asia-Pacific Data Centre Investment Landscape report, Vietnam now ranks second in the region for data centre investment returns, with a yield on cost (YoC) of 17.5–18.8%, just behind Singapore’s 21–23%.
Vietnam is taking drastic yet cautious steps in building a culture of nuclear safety and security, with the aim of having its first nuclear power plant operational by the end of 2030 and using this specific energy source effectively and sustainably.
Vietnam’s 5G strategy has been clearly outlined in national digital technology and infrastructure policies. A wide range of solutions is being vigorously implemented to achieve the target of an average internet speed of 100 Mbps by 2025 and full nationwide 5G coverage by 2030.
The visit aimed to assess the new two-tier local government model, preparations for upcoming Party congresses at levels, and implementation of the Politburo’s Conclusion on school construction in border areas.
