Hitachi Social Innovation Forum held in Vietnam for first time ever

The forum showcased the broad range of solutions provided by Hitachi’s Social Innovation Business, which combines infrastructure and advanced information technology.

Customers, business partners, and major Vietnamese stakeholders were be able to gain a better understanding of Hitachi’s key business fields, such as information and telecommunication systems, transportation, smart cities, power systems, and healthcare.

Hitachi Social Innovation Forum is Hitachi’s global flagship event, and for the first time it was held in Vietnam as part of its business expansion plans in the country.

As stated by its recently announced 2018 Mid-term Management Plan, Hitachi targets to increase its overseas sales ratio to more than 55 per cent. Vietnam is expected to play an instrumental role in achieving this target as the company has been experiencing a steady growth in the country.

According to Ichiro Iino, Hitachi’s chief executive for the Asia-Pacific, as the Vietnamese economy continues to grow, social infrastructure will be in high demand.

“This is where Hitachi can bring in our expertise and innovate through collaboration to solve societal challenges. The solutions showcased today reveal social innovation at its best and can most definitely help contribute to Vietnam and the region,” said Ichiro.

“Hitachi believes in creating a better and more sustainable future through our Social Innovation Business,” added Akihito Ando, general director of Hitachi Asia (Vietnam).

“In the area of transportation, for instance, starting with Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Line 1, Hitachi aims to expand its total solutions to other lines and cities in Vietnam to improve the quality of life,” added Akihito.

Hitachi remains very much committed to supporting Vietnam through its areas of expertise, such as ICT and urban development.

For instance, Hitachi is working on a feasibility study with Vietnam Post about a non-cash payment system to create seamless transactions for customers. It also received an order for equipment for Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Line 1, and elevators and escalators for the line’s elevated stations. Upon completion of Line 1, it will help alleviate Vietnam’s rapid increase in traffic, which is all the more crucial given that Ho Chi Minh City’s economic growth is expected to accelerate further.