Da Nang’s digital transformation and smart city building in recent times have been evaluated and recognised by domestic and international agencies and organisations through national and international awards. These are positive results and motivation for the city to strive for comprehensive digital transformation.

People experience VR glasses developed by Note AR Joint Stock Company. Photo: C.T

Many digital transformation models and solutions

On October 5, Da Nang continued to be honoured with two awards for the Da Nang Smart Operation Monitoring System solution and the Digital Journey Monitoring platform at the Viet Nam Digital Awards-VDA in 2024.

Previously, Da Nang had been recognised and highly appreciated by domestic and international organisations through the following awards the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation (ASOCIO) Smart City Award 2019; Human-CentriCity held in September 2023; honoured as Viet Nam Smart City by the Vietnam Software and Information Technology Services Association in four consecutive years (2020 - 2023); the Excellent Digital Transformation State Agency at the Viet Nam Digital Transformation Award in four consecutive years (2020 - 2023); taking the lead in the Provincial Digital Transformation Index in three consecutive years (2020 - 2022); the award in the category of ‘Top typical organisations/localities actively implementing Industry 4.0 and digital transformation for 3 consecutive years (2022 - 2024).

According to an assessment released by the National Digital Transformation Committee, Da Nang has achieved the above-mentioned results thanks to the application of the 3-need action motto: Need for exemplary and participation of the entire political system, the highest determination of Party committees, heads of agencies, pioneering role of each cadre, civil servant, public employee, youth union member, community digital technology group; need to develop a strategy, overall communication plan on digital transformation for consistent and continuous implementation throughout the city. Need for communication content to ensure mass factors, conciseness, and closeness.

The city uses digital data to simplify administrative procedures, replacing paper documents when performing administrative procedures. The city has deployed many applications and utilities for people and businesses to use and interact with the government such as the Da Nang Smart City multi-service and utility integration platform with 1.2 million downloads; the MyPortal digital citizen platform with more than 320,000 people possessing digital citizen accounts and a digital data warehouse on the e-government system...

The proportion of the digital economy in the Gross Regional Domestic Product of Da Nang in 2023 is 20.69% (the target for 2025 is 20%); there are 2.3 digital technology enterprises/1,000 people, three times higher than the national average.

Da Nang has many models and solutions on digital transformation that are highly appreciated by the National Committee on Digital Transformation. Activities at the Da Nang Intelligent Operation Centre (IOC). Photo: M.Q

Efforts for comprehensive digital transformation

Mr. Nguyen Huu Hung, the Vice Chairman of the Da Nang Young Entrepreneurs Association and General Director of IRTECH Technology JSC, assessed that Da Nang’s digital transformation results are thanks to increasingly modern infrastructure, local authorities actively supporting the development of technology, including the development of e-government, improving the quality of online public services and encouraging investment in technology.

In order for Da Nang to achieve more goals in digital transformation, Mr. Hung proposed that the city encourage domestic and foreign technology enterprises to participate in building digital transformation solutions, creating a cooperative environment to share experiences and resources; invest more heavily in network infrastructure, data centres and advanced technologies to deploy digital solutions; organise regular training programmes for state agencies on information technology and digital skills; pilot digital transformation projects in specific areas to evaluate effectiveness, gain experience and expand to other areas.

In an effort to contribute to the city’s digital transformation, Mr. Dang Ngoc Hai, the Vice President of the Da Nang Software Business Association, the Director of Axon Active Viet Nam Co., Ltd. - Da Nang branch, hopes that the city will continue to promote a friendly business environment, encourage innovation and cooperation, attract high-quality human resources to work and live in the city, support research and development initiatives as well as access funding sources, projects and talent development programmes.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Thanh, the Director of the Da Nang Department of Information and Communications, said that the department and related units are implementing solutions to promote online public services, striving to soon bring 100% of the city’s public services to the full scale; focus on completing the targets according to Plan No. 93/KH-UBND dated April 15, 2024 of the municipal People's Committee on implementing digital transformation tasks in the city in 2024.

Digital transformation goals continue to be associated with three pillars: digital economy, digital government and digital society. These pillars are built by developing digital platforms, digital data, digital infrastructure and institutions and policies. In particular, the coordination of people, businesses and the government is an extremely important factor to accelerate the digital transformation roadmap.

Reporting by MAI QUE, CHIEN THANG - Translating by A.THU