Hanoi advances comprehensive solutions for smart city development

This was highlighted during discussions on transforming Hanoi into a smart city at the Vietnam-Asia Smart City Summit, held in Hanoi on December 2.

The summit was organised under the direction of Hanoi People’s Committee, in collaboration with the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association and the city’s Department of Information and Communications.

Running from December 2-3, the event featured insights from experts, businesses, and international experiences, including perspectives from Ho Chi Minh City and Malaysia, on smart city development, digital economy promotion, and sustainable growth.

Nguyen Van Khoa, chairman of the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association, acknowledged the challenges faced by Hanoi on its journey towards smart city development. He emphasised that the capital city has chosen a unique, sustainable approach, prioritising effective services and the wellbeing of its citizens.

"This commitment is reflected in significant achievements, including 5G infrastructure readiness with 12,000 BTS stations, fibre-optic networks covering 100 per cent of households, 1.1 million iHanoi accounts, the connection of 5.4 million health records to the national database, and the ongoing implementation of smart transportation and hospital systems," Khoa highlighted.

Across Vietnam, other provinces and cities have also made notable progress in building smart cities. Currently, 48 out of 63 localities are implementing smart city development projects, with over 50 establishing provincial-level Intelligent Operation Centres and nearly 200 at a district level. These initiatives are underpinned by comprehensive infrastructure, including data systems, transmission networks, and smart solutions.

Most urban areas have developed smart applications focused on serving residents and businesses. By December 2023, Vietnam had 902 urban centres, with an urbanisation rate of approximately 42.7 per cent, comparable to the average in Asia.

"The challenge now lies in identifying new growth drivers amidst the continuous evolution of politics, economics, and technology. Digital and green economies, alongside technological advancements, are the key answers. We must accelerate digital transformation in traditional economic sectors, promoting sustainable growth aligned with environmental and cultural priorities. Additionally, sectors like semiconductors, AI, and automotive manufacturing, where Vietnam holds competitive advantages, should be prioritised," Khoa noted.

Nguyen Viet Hung, director of Hanoi Department of Information and Communications, outlined the city's progress in implementing its smart city agenda through the “Building a Smart Hanoi to 2025 with a vision to 2030” project.

Nguyen Viet Hung, director of the Hanoi Department of Information and Communication. Photo:

“The project integrates global perspectives, local solutions, and Hanoi-specific actions,” Hung said. “It emphasises unified awareness, innovative thinking, and action, leveraging the capital's resources and advantages to their fullest potential. The initiative also focuses on enhancing legal systems and policy mechanisms, modernising urban planning methods, prioritising smart information infrastructure, and building integrated, shared, and synchronised data systems.”

Hanoi's vision includes becoming a harmonious capital characterised by tradition, civility, green, smart, and modern values. To this end, the city is accelerating the development of policy frameworks and integrating planning, regulations, and standards for sustainable smart city development. This includes establishing a transparent and effective digital government platform, a smart urban information infrastructure, and programmes for high-quality human resource training and recruitment.

Hung highlighted Hanoi's focus on key priorities in its smart city development, such as urban transport, heritage conservation, cultural and tourism development, and environmental protection for water and air quality. Solutions tailored to each sector and area will be detailed in the project’s implementation roadmap.

Regarding the city's data strategy through 2030, Hung underscored the pivotal role of data as a core resource driving the development of a modern and intelligent Hanoi.

“Data fosters economic growth, enhances the city's competitiveness, and serves as the foundation for achieving Hanoi's vision of becoming a globally connected smart city. It supports sustainable development goals, strengthens management efficiency, and promotes long-term prosperity for the capital,” Hung explained.

"Hanoi aims to build an integrated, modern, secure, and efficient data system that meets the management needs of a smart city while serving residents and businesses. This data-driven approach will optimise decision-making processes, improve public services, and enhance quality of life. It will also lay the groundwork for Hanoi to become a national and regional leader in digital transformation and sustainable development," he added.

Themed “Smart Cities - Digital Economy - Sustainable Development”, the Vietnam-Asia Smart Cities Summit 2024 aligns with Hanoi’s three strategic goals while reflecting its broader vision for global thinking and innovation.

An exhibition showcasing AI-powered solutions for smart city development, energy and environmental management, and business connectivity accompanied the summit. The exhibition provided a platform for domestic and international businesses to engage with local authorities and organisations applying IT solutions.

Hanoi has long road to travel in becoming a smart city Over the past few years, Hanoi has actively implemented digital transformation solutions with the aim of becoming a smart city. This is an ambitious project with three key objectives.

Hanoi’s smart city vision hinges on data development Data has been identified as a cornerstone for unlocking new growth opportunities in digital government, the digital economy, and digital society.

Hanoi’s smart city initiatives claims top awards Hanoi has for the first time won awards for smart infrastructure and smart public services at the Vietnam Smart City Awards, demonstrating its significant strides in digital transformation and urban innovation.