Da Nang, a central city in Vietnam, stands out as a frontrunner in digital transformation, with a significant proportion of its population embracing electronic accounts on public service portals. 43% of Da Nang’s population aged 18 and above own electronic accounts, indicating a strong presence of digital engagement in the city.
Digital transformation is a collective effort involving various entities, including government agencies, businesses, and residents. In 2022, the digital economy played a significant role in the overall economic landscape of the city, contributing to 17% of Da Nang’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP).
According to Nguyen Quang Thanh, the Director of the Department of Information and Communications in Da Nang, the city’s digital transformation is inspired by the development of e-government and smart urban areas. He emphasised that data plays a pivotal role in generating new values for the city.
Since 2020, Da Nang has embarked on a comprehensive effort to build a robust database that encompasses various sources of information. Including comprehensive records of citizens, businesses, household registrations, officials, employees, and administrative procedures.
Local authorities and agencies have built 560 public service databases. In addition, free wifi stations are now available in the city. To further enhance connectivity and digital accessibility, the city has established free WiFi stations across various locations. These WiFi stations provide residents and visitors with convenient and reliable internet access, contributing to the city’s digital infrastructure.
Moreover, Da Nang has invested in the Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure to expand its data sources and capabilities. Key IoT initiatives include the implementation of a security and order centre, a smart traffic centre, and a water and air environment monitoring centre. These facilities collect and analyse data to monitor and manage public safety, traffic flow, and environmental conditions in real-time, enabling more informed decision-making and enhancing the overall quality of life in the city.
According to Thanh, the availability of data has significantly improved the management capabilities of state agencies in Da Nang. The utilisation of data has facilitated more efficient work processes, enhanced the supervision of public service provision, and enabled effective monitoring of traffic flow as well as water and air quality.
In addition to leveraging data, the city has embraced digital assistants to enhance the delivery of administrative procedures and public services. These digital assistants include chatbots and voicebots that automatically provide instructions and guidance to residents regarding administrative processes and various public services.
The Da Nang smart city mobile platform provides more than 30 smart services and utilities for communities. In the city, every citizen is provided with an electronic account, which offers them access to the available database. This system requires citizens to register for an electronic account only once, granting them access to a wide range of digital services and information. As of now, approximately 260,000 citizens in Da Nang have successfully registered for electronic accounts. This number represents over 43% of the population aged 18 and older.
The region has achieved significant progress in digitising document handling processes, with over 78% of documents being handled online, 1.5 times higher than the national average.
The administration of Da Nang has witnessed numerous agencies actively embracing digital technology in their operations and service delivery. The Ngu Hanh Son Medical Centre has introduced a digital health certificate system. This initiative aims to facilitate the process for individuals applying for a driving license by providing them with a digital health certificate.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transport has introduced QR codes for bus tickets, offering commuters an efficient and contactless way to access public transportation. It has also implemented online payment options. The Department of Information and Communications has added rainfall and flood maps to Da Nang Smart City App for residents to access and follow.
