Binh Duong looks for innovative ideas to develop smart city hinh anh 1A view of Binh Duong. (Photo: VNA)

Binh Duong (VNA) – The southern province of Binh Duong is looking for original, innovative, and feasible ideas to build its city of the same name into a smart city in a competition launched on July 13.

Binh Duong has officially joined the World Technopolis Association (WTA) in the hope of becoming a smart city in the future. It is hosting WTA’s events this year, including those celebrating the 20th anniversary of the WTA, according to Director of the provincial Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Quoc Cuong.

The “Smart City Ideas Competition: Binh Duong 2018” is co-held by Binh Duong, the WTA, and Daejeon city of the Republic of Korea as part of events to mark the WTA anniversary, he said.

It will seek, support, and provide all means necessary for the development of ideas to build Binh Duong into a smart city. This move also aims to improve living standards and offer greater convenience to local people.

Eligible candidates must be students at schools, colleges, or universities in Vietnam or the Republic of Korea. Registration can be made in the form of individuals or a team of maximum five people. They are welcome to present their ideas regarding all aspects of smart city but priority is given to the fields of smart urban management, healthcare, culture and travel, smart education, e-government, energy and environment, urban agriculture, and smart production.

The competition is organised with three rounds, the preliminary round and semi-finals will take place in both Vietnam and the RoK, with the final to be held in Binh Duong.

The first prize winner will be awarded 100 million VND (4,400 USD), while the second prize and third prize winners will receive 70 million VND (3,080 USD) and 40 million VND (1,760 USD), respectively. Two winners of consolation prizes will be presented with 20 million VND each.

All winning individuals or teams will receive an additional entrepreneur support package from the Becamex Business Incubator (BBI) at the Eastern International University.

All projects must be submitted online at www.binhduong.wtanet.org/vi/smartcityideas or sent via email, no later than August 20.–VNA
VNA