Da Nang is putting itself in a position where it must "run fast" to build a smart city.

Da Nang is determined to accelerate its digital transformation.

Not wanting to fall behind in the competition among major cities, Da Nang is positioning itself to "run fast" on its journey to becoming a smart city. Speaking at the Smart City Innovation and Experience 2025 conference, Mr. Ho Quang Buu, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee, emphasized that the new context no longer allows for slow progress in digital transformation and innovation, which are crucial indicators for assessing the competitiveness of cities both domestically and internationally.

Mr. Ho Quang Buu - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City.

In its development strategy, Da Nang has closely followed the major guidelines of the Central Government, especially the resolutions on specific mechanisms and policies to promote science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. This is considered the "backbone" for improving productivity and the quality of growth in the new phase.

City leaders stated that during the period 2026–2030, Da Nang will present and implement three major, groundbreaking projects, considered to have very high requirements in terms of both scale and complexity. These three projects focus on developing science and technology, building Da Nang into an international innovation center, and linking digital transformation with smart city development, aiming to achieve regional standards by 2030.

Mr. Buu affirmed that digital transformation in the coming period will no longer be about deploying a few scattered applications or individual portals, but about bringing the entire ecosystem to life. This requires strong investment in technology infrastructure and data – including the creation and exploitation of big data – as well as enhancing the capacity for analysis, forecasting, and decision-making based on digital data.

Digital infrastructure, data, and applications in daily life.

Over the period from 2018 to 2025, Da Nang has implemented the elements of a smart city relatively comprehensively. Network infrastructure has covered 100% of residential areas with 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, along with hundreds of public Wi-Fi hotspots. A metropolitan network with hundreds of kilometers of underground fiber optic cables connecting more than 200 agencies and units, along with a standardized data center with multiple layers of security, has been built.

In terms of data, databases for citizens, businesses, administrative procedures, and many other areas have begun to be connected to the national data system. More than 1,400 open datasets have been put into operation, contributing to reducing paperwork and shortening processing times for citizens and businesses.

In the application sector, many solutions have begun to "touch" real life. The Intelligent Operations Center (IOC), operational since 2023, has become a monitoring, analysis, and early warning system for city leaders. Smart transportation utilizes cameras and sensors to adjust traffic lights according to traffic volume; the environment is monitored by real-time observation systems; and e-health and digital education have also been widely implemented.

Da Nang is also promoting the digital economy through digital tourism, e-commerce, and initiatives to support bringing local products onto digital platforms. According to statistics, the digital economy is expected to contribute approximately 24% of the city's GRDP in 2024 – exceeding the target set for 2025.

Challenges ahead and goals to achieve.

Although the infrastructure and data foundations have been established, Da Nang has identified the major task in the next two phases as transforming key projects into concrete, measurable results in urban life. Synchronized implementation and accelerated application of technology across all aspects of management, public services, and production will be decisive factors for the city to maintain its competitive position and achieve its goal of becoming a regionally recognized smart city by 2030.

The challenge for Da Nang is not only to invest in technology but also to mobilize and develop social resources, creating motivation for businesses and citizens to actively participate in the digital transformation process. The city clearly recognizes that "the foundation is in place, the ambition is clear," and the next step is to accelerate and coordinate across sectors to realize these strategic goals.

Comment (0)