Vietnam calls for US cooperation in building smart cities
Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan has called for US businesses’ engagement in providing technology and cooperating in building criteria for smart cities as well as local planning.
Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Information andCommunications Truong Minh Tuan has called for US businesses’ engagement inproviding technology and cooperating in building criteria for smart cities aswell as local planning.
At a meeting in Hanoi on March 21 with US Ambassador toVietnam Ted Osius, the Minister noted that Vietnam is to develop five smartcities in the future.
He proposed that the two sides increase policy dialogues tostrengthen mutual understanding in vision, orientations and the implementationof specific cooperation activities in information and communication technology.
Vietnam and the US should coordinate in holding conferencesand seminars to shar experience in managing and developing new service formsand business models in the digital economy, while building effectivecooperation mechanisms in ensuring cyber security, he suggested.
Minister Tuan noted that Vietnam and the US have becomecomprehensive partnership since 2013. Last year, two-way trade reached over 40billion USD, with Vietnam’s exports of over 33 billion USD and import value ofabout 8 billion USD.
In the field of information and communication technology, mostof major giants of the US have invested in Vietnam, including Intel, Microsoft,IBM, Oracle, Cisco, Motorola and Qualcomm, while social networks such asFacebook and Google have also succeeded in the market.
At the meeting, the two sides gave frank discussion on suchissues as the management of Internet, control of websites with harmful contentsand the settlement of violations of intelligence property rights.
Minister Tuan said that in order to realise and guide the implementationof the Law on Intellectual Property Rights, the ministry has enhanced itsresponsibility in management of intellectual property right as well as relevantrights under the ministry’s authority.
The ministry has also collaborated with ministries, sectorsand localities as well as organisations to roll out synchronised measures to implementthe law in the field of publishing, especially in inspection and handling ofviolations.
Ambassador Ted Osius said that the US side has been studyinginfrastructure systems in a number of cities and provinces of Vietnam foraffiliation in building smart cities.
In the coming time, the US will work with Hai Phong, QuangNinh and Ho Chi Minh City on the work, while coordinating with the Vietnam Postand Telecommunication to organise a conference to develop specific projects inthe field.-VNA
The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have discussed the implementation of a joint project to build a smart city, which was signed in 2015.
The Hanoi People’s Committee has approved a pilot programme that will utilise software and automation technology to manage public parking zones in the city.
As advantages of natural resources and labor forces cannot last forever, education, science and technology will help with the country’s growth and competitiveness, stated Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung.
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.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
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.
Overview of the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
