The inauguration of the 2024 Smart City Asia International Expo and Forum in HCM City on April 17. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY ­— The 2024 Smart City Asia International Expo and Forum opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City on April 17, showcasing cutting-edge technologies that are transforming the global urban landscape.

There are nearly 800 booths set up by more than 500 businesses from various countries and territories, and national pavilions from South Korea, India, Finland, China, and Russia.

Major Vietnamese telecom and technology corporations such as Viettel, VNPT, Mobifone, and FPT are taking part.

There will be forums and seminars on topics such as smart city development strategies with a green and sustainable development orientation, smart city solutions towards a safer society and smarter life and AIoT applications in smart cities for green development.

There will also be a business matching programme, meetings with city leaders and tours to the city’s new-style smart urban areas.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Shin Hyundai, chairman of the Korea MICE Association and CEO of Exporum Inc, the event’s organiser, said: “From intelligent transportation, smart grid systems to AI, IoT and semiconductors, this trade exhibition covers a wide range of industries that are driving the digital transformation of our cities.

“Through this trade exhibition, we aim to showcase how emerging technologies are changing the way we interact with our urban environments. We will hear from experts who will share their insights and expertise on the latest advancements, and discover how these technologies can drive growth, efficiency, and sustainability.

“With the growth of the smart tech industry, it is important for businesses to stay ahead of the curve and explore the latest trends, technologies, and solutions.

“Smart City Asia provides an ideal platform for industry players to connect, network, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.”

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Phạm Đức Long said: “Developing smart cities is an inevitable trend of urban areas and cities.”

The Government has issued policies for sustainable smart city development since 2018, and “what we need to do is implement them practically and effectively in the long term to achieve the sustainable development goal,” he said.

Opinions shared at the event would help ministries and other agencies improve the legal framework to promote smart city development in Việt Nam, he added.

Dương Anh Đức, deputy chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, said the city has deployed a number of key programmes and projects for digital transformation, smart city development and others to maximize its potential.

He said the event is a good opportunity to discuss policies to promote the development of smart cities in Việt Nam and could bring forth a number of solutions for urgent problems facing major cities such as traffic and urban management, and environmental protection.

Organised jointly by Exporum Việt Nam, the Việt Nam Automation Association, Việt Nam Digital Communications Association, HCM City Computer Association, and Việt Nam Institute of Digital Transformation and Innovation, Smart City Asia will run until April 19 and expects to attract over 16,000 visitors, including officials from ministries, other government agencies and provinces and cities, and executives from local and foreign businesses.

Smart City Asia is being held concurrently with the 2024 Vietnam International LED/OLED & Digital Signage Show (Ledtec Asia) at the same venue.

Ledtec Asia has over 400 booths set up by leading businesses in LED/OLED lighting technology and equipment.

They will introduce the latest lighting technologies, digital advertising signages, display solutions, smart devices, and electronic chips for smart lighting and energy saving.

Nguyễn Quốc Thống, chairman of Cara Lighting Solution, said his company has comprehensive lighting solutions for hotels, shopping centres, galleries, hotels, offices and others, besides wireless control technologies and street lighting control and street lighting energy saving systems. — VNS