Ho Chi Minh City on the "dual" track: Inheriting Binh Duong to create a Digital and Green future

Ho Chi Minh City is striving to realize the goal of becoming a smart super city, a journey of “dual transformation” – simultaneously promoting digital transformation and green transformation. This seemingly challenging problem has a “model solution” right in the open space of the city: the development model that helped Binh Duong become a Global Smart Community in 2023.

In the context of Ho Chi Minh City striving to realize the goal of becoming a smart super city, the journey of “dual transformation” – simultaneously promoting digital transformation and green transformation – is identified as a mandatory path. Interestingly, this seemingly challenging problem has a “model solution” right in the open space of the city: the development model that helped Binh Duong become a Global Smart Community in 2023.

During the discussion at the ICF 2025 Summit, Mr. John G. Jung, founder of the World Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), emphasized: “When we look at Ho Chi Minh City today, we see a city standing on the threshold of truly great opportunities.” He pointed out that one of the clearest evidences of that potential is the Binh Duong smart city model – a “pioneering bright spot” that is now a part of Ho Chi Minh City.

Inheriting the “catalyst”

According to Mr. John G. Jung, Binh Duong's success is not just an award, but a testament to the transformation based on knowledge, science and technology and the effective connection between the government, institutes and businesses - the "Triple Helix" model. "Inheriting and promoting experiences from Binh Duong... will help Ho Chi Minh City shorten time and optimize resources," Mr. Jung commented.

This is completely in line with the “dual transformation” orientation. Binh Duong’s experience shows that digital transformation (with a focus on Industry 4.0 and smart governance) and green transformation (towards Net Zero factories and circular economy) are not separate, but can go hand in hand and support each other. The lesson of building an innovation ecosystem, where businesses are the center of technology application to both improve productivity and reduce emissions, is a valuable asset for Ho Chi Minh City.

Introducing the speech of Mr. John G. Jung - Founder of ICF at the ICF 2025 Conference. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Integrating digital technology to optimize green development

From a more technical perspective, Mr. Robert Bell, Co-founder of ICF, pointed out in another discussion that data is the new “oil” for green development. To successfully “double transformation”, Ho Chi Minh City needs to build integrated digital platforms, such as the “Digital Twin” of the city. This tool not only helps manage transport and energy infrastructure intelligently, but also has the ability to simulate and forecast the environmental impact of development projects, thereby making optimal decisions for both economic and ecological goals.

This coincides with the strategic vision that Ho Chi Minh City is pursuing: Developing a shared data system and smart urban management platform as a foundation, thereby promoting smart traffic solutions to reduce congestion and emissions, or smart energy and waste management systems.

Clear functional zoning

Inheriting from Binh Duong does not mean copying the original. Mr. John G. Jung emphasized: “It is not to ‘repeat’ the old model, but to share proven values, adjusted to suit the scale, identity and aspirations of a megacity like Ho Chi Minh City.”

In fact, Ho Chi Minh City is shaping a development strategy based on smart functional zoning:

· Northern region (inheriting Binh Duong space): Will become the base of the production ecosystem associated with science, technology and innovation, where the "Triple Spiral" model and "Smart Net Zero Factory" projects will be strongly realized.

· Central Area: Focus on developing into an international political and financial center with advanced digital services.

· Southeast region: Developing marine economy, smart logistics platform and green energy.

Buildings in the central area of ​​Binh Duong are operating smart solutions. (PV/Vietnam+)

This zoning allows Ho Chi Minh City to flexibly apply “dual” solutions, suitable to the characteristics of each region, creating a harmonious whole between digital economic growth and environmental protection.

Mr. John G. Jung concluded with optimism: “If Ho Chi Minh City continues to be proactive in international cooperation, attracting talent and investment, and knows how to flexibly apply lessons from Binh Duong... I believe that the city can absolutely become one of the leading smart cities in Asia.” Ho Chi Minh City's "dual transformation" journey, with smart inheritance from proven core values, is opening up a feasible path to turn the aspiration of a smart, green and sustainable super city into reality./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-tren-duong-dua-kep-ke-thua-binh-duong-de-kien-tao-tuong-lai-so-va-xanh-post1081054.vnp