Database is the key to building Smart Cities

The role of databases in realizing sustainable urban development goals and modernizing management was clarified throughout the workshop. Photo: Pham Hung

According to the Ministry of Information and Communications , 54 localities in Vietnam have implemented projects related to smart cities, focusing on areas such as transportation, environment, health and administration. However, only about 30% of the projects have achieved the level of data integration between sectors and fields.

“Data is currently fragmented, lacking uniformity and limited in serving decision-making,” said Mr. Ho Duc Thang, Deputy Director of the National Digital Transformation Agency, Ministry of Information and Communications.

In fact, a synchronized database not only supports administrative reform but also serves as a foundation for developing smart applications. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Vinh, Director of the National Population Data Center, shared: “The national population data system has now integrated more than 87.9 million personal information, facilitating electronic identification services and improving the efficiency of public services.” This not only saves time and costs but also increases transparency in management.

Discussion session at the event. Photo: Pham Hung

Currently, many localities across the country have achieved remarkable results in this journey. In Da Nang, the interconnected data system has helped the city operate intelligently and optimize public services. Provinces such as Binh Duong and Quang Ninh are also strongly deploying IoT and big data solutions to improve management capacity and promote digital economic development. These models not only bring individual value but also create the premise for cooperation and experience sharing between localities.

According to Mr. Tran Ngoc Thach, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications of Da Nang City, the Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) has become a model for applying data in urban management. He said: “Integrating data from more than 20 agencies not only helps to operate effectively but also opens up opportunities to develop innovative applications from the community.” Thanks to this interconnectivity, Da Nang has become one of Vietnam’s pioneering cities in the field of digital transformation.

Delegates attending the workshop. Photo: Pham Hung

An indispensable element in this picture is the exploitation of Big Data. Dr. Cu Kim Long, an AI and Big Data expert at the Institute of Information Technology, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said: “Big Data not only helps predict trends such as climate change or population growth, but also plays an important role in improving the competitiveness of cities globally.”

At the workshop, many experts pointed out that, for data to truly become the “heart” of a smart city, ensuring information security is a prerequisite. Ms. Vo Thi Trung Trinh, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center, commented: “Data systems need to be built on a solid security foundation to protect people’s privacy and create trust with the community.”

In the journey of building smart cities, the roles of businesses, governments and communities are inseparable. From large corporations to small and medium enterprises, all contribute to providing technology solutions and digital services, supporting more effective urban governance. To promote this participation, building a “common playing field” through a synchronous digital government architecture and clear policy mechanisms is a prerequisite.

However, one of the biggest challenges is that data is still fragmented and lacks connectivity. This is not only a problem at the national level but also occurs between provinces and cities, where data systems have not been synchronized to support regional development. Promoting the use of common platforms and peer-to-peer data sharing between localities will help reduce costs and optimize resources, while creating greater efficiency in public service delivery and urban management.

The journey of digital transformation and smart urban development is not the story of a single city or province, but the shared responsibility of all localities. The synergy between provinces and cities, from North to South, will be the key for Vietnam to build a sustainable and modern smart urban network.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/co-so-du-lieu-la-chia-khoa-xay-dung-thanh-pho-thong-minh.html