The Australia-Vietnam Smart Cities Business Forum 2025, held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City on May 8, was a significant event that brought together key stakeholders from both countries.
Organized by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) Vietnam, the forum was a platform for government agencies, businesses, academic institutions, and other organizations from Vietnam and Australia to discuss and collaborate on smart city initiatives.
The event highlighted a mutual dedication to creating smarter, greener, and more livable cities in Vietnam while fostering stronger economic and trade relations, with a focus on the digital economy.
Building on the insights gained from the Smart City Focus Group – Vietnam Market Deep-Dive held in April, the forum aimed to further explore Vietnam’s smart city landscape, address challenges, and identify cooperation opportunities.
Mr. Jonathan Saw, Trade and Investment Commissioner to Vietnam for Austrade, emphasized the significance of the Australia-Vietnam partnership, especially after the elevation of diplomatic ties. He highlighted the digital economy as a key area for enhancing two-way trade and investment and shared Austrade Vietnam’s Landing Pad initiative, which is driving Australian technologies and partnerships in the region.
The forum also witnessed the participation of 13 Australian companies, showcasing their expertise and commitment to digital innovation and sustainable urban development.
Vietnam’s Context and Smart City Development Status:
Vietnam is experiencing a “golden moment” for smart city development, fueled by rapid urbanization, a growing middle class, and high internet penetration. As of 2023, 48 provinces and cities have implemented smart city initiatives, with a focus on traffic, healthcare, education, and disaster warning systems.
However, the country faces challenges such as urbanization pressures, environmental pollution, infrastructure demands, and an aging population. These issues underscore the need for efficient resource allocation and smarter urban management.
Key concerns include a user-centricity gap, where technology takes precedence over residents’ needs, and a lack of strategic long-term planning. Data security and privacy remain challenges, impacting user trust. Additionally, infrastructure limitations, such as unreliable internet connectivity and power transmission capacity, hinder smart city services, especially with the increasing demands of AI centers and green transportation.
Australian Collaboration: Opportunities and Future Directions
Despite the challenges, Vietnam’s smart city market presents immense opportunities, with a market size of $7.1 billion in 2024, according to IMARC Group. By 2033, the market is expected to reach $22.7 billion, showcasing a promising compound annual growth rate.
The Vietnamese government’s commitment to digital transformation, coupled with supportive policies, has created a favorable investment environment. The Smart City Focus Group highlighted opportunities in AI, cybersecurity, smart mobility, telemedicine, and sustainable energy, where Australian expertise can make a significant difference.
Australian companies at the forum presented innovative solutions in energy optimization, clean energy, traffic safety, infrastructure optimization, and digital transformation for various sectors, including tourism, green transition, and ESG compliance.
Australia’s advanced capabilities in 5G connectivity, data centers, and renewable energy align with Vietnam’s needs, and the forum emphasized the potential for multilateral collaboration to address challenges and unlock Vietnam’s smart city potential.
The panel discussion brought together experts from both countries, who shared insights on the current landscape and future prospects of smart city development. They emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, with the private sector taking the lead in innovative solutions and the government providing a supportive institutional framework, ensuring people-centric design, and long-term interoperability.
The dialogue marked a step forward in knowledge sharing and international cooperation, with Australian businesses well-positioned to support Vietnam in its journey towards integrated platforms, enhanced digital literacy, and sustainable urban growth.
Landing Pads is an Australian Government initiative to support Australian tech businesses expanding globally. Established in 2017, Landing Pads are now present in major cities, including Singapore, Shanghai, London, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The Ho Chi Minh City Landing Pad, launched during a Southeast Asia Business Exchange mission to Vietnam, provides on-the-ground support for Australian technology startups and scaleups to develop effective go-to-market strategies and secure partnerships, contributing to Vietnam’s digital transformation agenda.
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