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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bustling southern metropolis, is setting its sights on a digital economy that will significantly contribute to its economic growth. By 2025, the city aims for its digital economy to contribute about 25% to its gross regional domestic product (GRDP), with a target of reaching 40% by 2030.
According to Duong Anh Duc, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Ho Chi Minh City has laid out a comprehensive plan to transform into a smart city. This includes a digital transformation programme, a data governance strategy, and a research and development initiative for artificial intelligence (AI) applications spanning from 2020 to 2030. These strategic policies are not only geared towards meeting specific targets but also positioning the city as a major player in the region and on the global stage.
During a recent workshop on smart city strategy in the city, Nguyen Manh Cuong, Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Southern Office, stressed the critical role of databases in this transformation. He highlighted the importance of effectively linking and managing databases, as they hold the key to unlocking economic and social value for the country, localities, and enterprises. Without high-quality databases, efficient digital models and applications cannot be realised.
Associate Professor Dr Hoang Huu Hanh, Head of the Vietnam Innovation and Digital Transformation Institute’s scientific council, echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for robust data management practices to drive successful digital transformation initiatives.
Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Pham Duc Long underscored the importance of a common understanding among localities regarding smart urban development. He highlighted that smart urban development involves implementing digital transformation strategies across various urban areas, focusing on addressing critical issues such as transportation, environment, energy, and social security. Long emphasised that this is a continuous and long-term process that requires significant resources from the social community.
To support these efforts, the Ministry of Information and Communications is currently drafting a government decree on regulations for shared databases. It is expected that this decree will provide a framework for effective data sharing and management, laying the groundwork for Ho Chi Minh City’s ambitious digital transformation goals.
OpenGov Asia reported that Ho Chi Minh City is strengthening its partnership with Sweden to advance its digital transformation and sustainable development agenda. Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, affirmed the city’s commitment to facilitating Swedish investment, especially in digitalisation and sustainability.
At the Sweden-Vietnam business roundtable on innovation and sustainable development, Hoan emphasised the city’s strategic vision for digital transformation and environmentally friendly growth models, urging Sweden to share expertise in crucial areas like digitalisation, energy transition, and climate change adaptation.
Hoan highlighted the city’s readiness to collaborate with Swedish enterprises to foster bilateral trade and innovation initiatives aligned with both countries’ developmental goals. Stressing the importance of embracing green energy solutions, he called for deeper coordination in organising exchange programmes and business meetings to nurture talent capable of driving sustainability initiatives.
In response, Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Sweden, affirmed Sweden’s commitment to partnering with Ho Chi Minh City in digital transformation and sustainable development. Impressed by the city’s commitment to innovation, Jevrell expressed eagerness to unlock collaboration potential in innovation, SME development, digital infrastructure, and energy efficiency.
This collaboration signals a significant step towards deeper cooperation between the two nations in strategic areas promising mutual benefits and sustainable growth. It aligns with Ho Chi Minh City’s ambitious goals to significantly increase its digital economy contribution to its gross regional domestic product by 2025 and 2030, in line with its vision for a green and sustainable future.
