Some useful solutions to accelerate digital transformation in Da Nang were informed at a forum about digital transformation and smart city building recently held in the city.

Hosted by the municipal Department of Information and Communications, the event saw the participation of representatives from local and US businesses.

Speaking at the forum, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Information and Communications Le Son Phong said that in order to successfully deploy the smart city building model and speed up digital transformation, Da Nang has set out many important solutions with a focus on strengthening cooperation with domestic and international organisations, corporations and businesses in a bid to access financial support and receive helpful support, advice and experience in technology transfer.

Over the past time, the city has signed cooperation agreements with large domestic corporations such as the Military-run Industry and Telecommunications Group (Viettel), the Viet Nam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the FPT Group, and the Viet Nam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (Vietinbank).

Additionally, the city has received advice and financial support from international organisations like the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organisation (WeGO), the ASEAN Smart Cities Network, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The growth revenue of Da Nang’s ICT industry reaches 20% per year on average. The digital economy in 2021 contributes 12.57% of the city's GRDP. The whole city currently has 2.27 digital technology enterprises per 1000 inhabitants, ranking second after Ho Chi Minh City, and 3 times higher than the national average rate.

The awareness and digital skills of local residents are raised. The proportion of adults using smartphones in Da Nang is nearly 85%, and that of adults having digital citizen accounts is 40%, equivalent to 240,000. Basically, each citizen has an individual identification (ID) code associated with an electronic health record, whilst each student has an ID code associated with the electronic school record.

Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (AmCham Viet Nam) Adam Sitkoff remarked that US businesses see Da Nang's great potential in the field of digital transformation. He hoped that the programme connecting US and Da Nang ICT businesses will create a milestone in cooperation between the two sides.

Through this event, US businesses can learn more about the digital transformation process and smart city building in Da Nang, thereby further promoting cooperation and investment in Da Nang, emphasised Mr. Adam Sitkoff.

Reporting by NAM PHUONG - Translating by M.DUNG