Sharing at the discussion session “Smart Government in the Digital Age” at the Autumn Economic Forum 2025, Professor Young Sup Joo - Honorary Professor of Seoul National University, former Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups of Korea, said that Vietnam is entering a pivotal moment, a period when cities must reshape their development goals to become global megacities.
AI will solve the "bottleneck" of Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City has a great opportunity to become a megacity with the guidance of artificial intelligence (AI). This is a global trend and according to him, in that trend, Ho Chi Minh City has set a vision to become an international megacity using green and digital for development.
Seoul National University Professor Young Sup Joo believes that Ho Chi Minh City has a great opportunity to become a megacity and AI will solve existing bottlenecks.
Mr. Young Sup Joo noted that in the process of digital transformation, Ho Chi Minh City needs to pay attention to many aspects from the government, economy, environment, society, people... To realize the vision, Ho Chi Minh City needs to focus on that mission and goal. Then, specific products will also be on the right track.
“In an AI-based megacity, data is still at the core. However, operations still require human participation. Ho Chi Minh City should reposition its role, shifting from product-based to goals and missions. AI will help solve bottlenecks, help people feel happier and achieve development goals,” said Professor Young Sup Joo.
Professor Young Sup Joo suggested that Ho Chi Minh City use AI as a tool to achieve its goals. First, there needs to be a consensus on the vision between the government, businesses and people about the common future.
Second, the government must be a digital government, and all data obtained from the government is analyzed by AI - a fundamental aspect of the smart urban model that is operated based on AI.
This expert further suggested that Ho Chi Minh City needs to strengthen international cooperation. The European Union has standards for developing megacities based on AI, and South Korea is also working with the European Union to implement them.
The city should learn from other places and absorb their experiences to become a successful megacity; develop the environment and society sustainably. At the same time, continue to promote the development of an innovation ecosystem, invest in R&D, academia as well as commercialize technology products and inventions.
Ho Chi Minh City has enough conditions to become a smart super city
Mr. Warrick Cleine - Chairman and CEO of KPMG Vietnam and Cambodia, said that he has been a citizen of Ho Chi Minh City while living and working in the city for the past 25 years. He assessed that Ho Chi Minh City has all the components to create a smart government today.
International experts and scientists contribute many initiatives for Ho Chi Minh City to develop in the new era.
The first is the integration, connection and consultation of relevant parties to achieve comprehensiveness and integration for growth goals, as well as the current green transformation and digital transformation orientation of Ho Chi Minh City.
In addition, along with Resolution 68 on private economic development, Ho Chi Minh City is very interested and open to the private sector to pioneer in contributing to the city's development.
The second is the long-term ambition to contribute to making the country a developed nation.
Third is the smart factor. Artificial intelligence is proof to help Ho Chi Minh City break through and develop, and fourth is sustainability.
These factors influence each other. Long-term strategy will help businesses shape and adjust their business plans to suit local development goals.
Professor Vu Minh Khuong proposed that Ho Chi Minh City needs to focus on all three structural layers to build and develop a smart government.
The first is upstream, which includes vision, philosophy, and social beliefs. The middle is a lean institution, a comprehensive structure, high discipline, and unified data. The downstream is excellent service, smart operations, and continuous learning and improvement.
He suggested that Ho Chi Minh City thoroughly study lessons learned in smart urban development from Singapore, and study the possibility of applying them to the city. These are smart city initiatives and AI strategies, learning to attract talent, public-private partnerships, etc.
Ho Chi Minh City can establish a special cooperation committee with Singapore to consult on implementing projects to build a smart government .
Professor Vu Minh Khuong contributed many suggestions for Ho Chi Minh City to build a smart government.
Mr. Vu Minh Khuong noted that in an expanding urban area like Ho Chi Minh City, the focus of the two-level government model must be to bring effective service to the people. The ward/commune level needs to become a direct service line, while the upper level needs to be streamlined and creative.
According to Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong, Ho Chi Minh City wishes to learn from pioneering models such as Singapore, South Korea, and Australia, and appreciates the companionship of domestic and foreign technology enterprises, in order to develop digital infrastructure, ensure data security, and improve analytical capacity.
Comments at the forum will contribute to perfecting the two-level smart government model of Ho Chi Minh City, creating a foundation for the city to better serve people and businesses.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/chuyen-gia-quoc-te-goi-y-tp-hcm-ung-dung-ai-de-phat-trien-sieu-do-thi-ar989501.html
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