Smart cities are the key method for developing our digital and urban economies, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung said during the recent inaugural meeting of the inter-agency task force responsible for coordinating smart city development, which is headed by the Deputy Prime Minister himself.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that amid the rapid advancement of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, smart cities are "no longer an option, but an inevitable trend" in global urban development.

While many localities across Vietnam have launched their own smart city projects—moving from pilot programs in specific sectors to nationwide expansions—significant challenges remain. Despite bringing positive results for citizens, businesses, and the state, the development process still faces hurdles related to institutional frameworks, public awareness, coordination mechanisms, data infrastructure, resources, and connectivity.

To dismantle these existing barriers, the Deputy Prime Minister called for a synchronized and decisive effort from the central government down to local authorities. In this spirit, he directed relevant agencies to urgently implement key tasks.

Specifically, the Ministry of Construction has been assigned to lead the coordination with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to draft a new government decree on smart city development. The draft is to be prepared under a fast-tracked procedure and submitted to the Government for review by August 15, 2025.

The Deputy Prime Minister concluded by emphasizing the critical need to build a concrete implementation roadmap and to actively promote the growth of industries that serve and support smart city initiatives.