A smart city is an ideal place for people to live and work, but it is also a sustainable combination of robust economics, civil society and clean environment, Nguyễn Minh Hồng, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications (MoIC) said at a symposium on developing smart cities in Việt Nam held in the capital on Thursday. 

Chairman of the Hà Nội City People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung stated that Hà Nội would strive to become a smart city during a seminar on Thursday.

However, Hồng said Việt Nam will face challenges on the path of developing smart cities.

He therefore asked all localities, enterprises, business associations and research institutes to submit suggestions and proposals on how to develop a smart city suitable to Vietnamese conditions.

Participants agreed that the MOIC should co-ordinate with concerned Government agencies and enterprises to write guidelines on how to develop smart cities in respective provinces or cities.

They agreed that a smart city is an urban development vision integrating information and communication technology (ICT) and Internet of things (IoT) technology securely into a city’s asset management.

At present, urban areas account for 10 per cent of the country’s territory, yet they contribute more than 70 per cent of the GDP, of which contribution from the five municipalities (Hà Nội, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng, HCM City and Cần Thơ) account for 50 per cent of the GDP.

Some 20 provinces and cities nationwide have started to develop smart city proposals. Meanwhile, major information and communication technology (ICT) corporations have signed memoranda of understanding with many cities and provinces to help them develop smart cities in their localities.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has appointed the MoIC to act as the focal point in developing the criteria to evaluate and recognise a smart city, while the Ministry of Construction and concerned agencies will act as supporting agencies.

“Investment in developing smart cities must be practical, efficient and affordable to each locality’s budget line and conditions,” Phúc emphasised.

In a related move, Chairman of the Hà Nội City People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung stated that Hà Nội would strive to become a smart city during a seminar on Wednesday.

Chung said the city would adopt advanced and cost-effective technologies in administrative procedures, transport, health care, education and environmental protection. 

According to him, Hà Nội is enhancing co-operation with countries in advanced science-technology, especially the US, which he said could become a technology transfer partner. 

Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Asia at the US Department of Commerce Diane Farrell said the US creates favourable conditions for US firms to connect with partners in Việt Nam. 

US business representatives presented technological solutions to build a smart city, including those used in health care and security. 

VNS