The Smart City Asia International Expo and Forum 2023 in Viet Nam opened in HCM City on Thursday, showcasing leading technologies and solutions for public lighting, smart cities and smart homes, urban planning and public administration, and others.

Smart City Asia has attracted nearly 300 local and foreign exhibitors, 70 per cent international, from Korea, Finland, the UAE, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and other countries and territories.

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

There will be a Smart City Development Forum and seminars to share international experiences in developing smart cities and discuss smart city development suitable for Viet Nam.

There will also be a business matching programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Phan Van Mai, chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, said the city is set to integrate globally and have a high profile in Southeast Asia.

To achieve the target, the city has identified science and technology and innovation as the main driving force, he said.

Smart City Asia would be a place for management agencies, domestic and foreign experts to meet and discuss strategies, solutions and practical management tools for smart city development, he added.

Nguyen Minh Hong, chairman of the Viet Nam Digital Communications Association, said the exhibition aims to promote public-private partnerships for building smart cities.

Organised by the Vietnam Digital Communications Association, Exporum Co., Ltd., Vietnam Institute of Digital Transformation and Innovation, and Vietnam Automation Association, Smart City Asia 2023 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre will go on until April 15 and expects to receive more than 10,000 visitors. — VNS