Ho Chi Minh City initiates Smart City project

Ho Chi Minh City has made a cautious but determined move to build a Smart City. Districts 2, 9 and Thu Duc have been selected to go first thanks to their intensive science and technology calculated per population and area.

To attract high-quality investment, the city has built satellite urban areas with universities serving 80,000 students.

Dr. Ngo Duc Thanh Son, an overseas Vietnamese in the US recommends connectivity between enterprises and the community to lure investors to development projects in Thu Thiem.

He said the Cat Lai Logistics urban area will connect the city with neighboring provinces and ease traffic congestion.

Dr. Nguyen Do Dung, an overseas Vietnamese in Singapore calls for a policy to ensure flexible governance in the smart city model. He said,“The city should promote its openness and friendliness and its open resources of data, governance, and global connectivity.”

Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in the Republic of Korea Prof. Tran Hai Linh recommends an Advisory Panel to help the city plan steps to promote the application of technology, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.

He said, “The government has played an important role as initial catalyst in the mobilization of resources and policies for an innovative city with cooperation among universities, research institutes, and businesses.”

Ho Chi Minh City Party Chief Nguyen Thien Nhan says technological solutions and financial resources have been mobilized to ensure the smart city project’s success.

He added, “The State should guide and work with businesses from master planning to implementation in a Public Private Partnership. The state budget should be allocated first. Business funding will follow if they see our success.”

A successful smart city model will require mindset changes in both leaders and the public.