Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) presented the Smart City Awards 2024 to 10 localities and authors of nine smart technological solutions during the Vietnam-Asia Smart City Summit 2024, held in Hanoi on December 3.
VINASA Chairman Nguyen Van Khoa said the winners were selected from 70 nominations, aiming to recognise localities, organisations, and businesses pioneering technological solutions in the journey to build smart cities.
Over the past five years, the awards have supported the Government, provinces, cities, and various units in sustainably developing smart urban areas in Vietnam, he noted.
Dr. Nguyen Quan, former Minister of Science and Technology and Chair of the Awards Council, noted that this year, the organisers introduced "green" criteria to align with the dual goals of Vietnam's national digital transformation. He added that this year's nominations were of high quality, with winners evaluated on intelligent approach, sustainability, and innovation.
Prominent cities such as Da Nang, Thu Duc, Tay Ninh, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City have shown clear progress in participating in the awards, said Quan.
Da Nang, a pioneer in smart city building, has consistently received the highest honour, the "Vietnam Smart City Award 2024", along with accolades for smart operations and management (IOC), start-up and innovation hub, and smart environmental management.
Meanwhile, Thu Duc city in Ho Chi Minh City was awarded for smart operations and management.
Vice Chairman of the Thu Duc People's Committee Mai Huu Quyet said that this recognition reflects local efforts in 2024 to promote digital transformation and develop the digital economy through IT applications. The "Thanh pho Thu Duc” (Thu Duc City) app was a key feature, functioning to integrate 28 sectors with intelligent camera systems, and smart neighbourhood projects to enhance residents' quality of life.
In the field of cybersecurity, the "Smart Firewall" solution developed by SafeGate won the Smart City Award.
Do Hung Thuan, Director of SafeGate, said that the "Make in Vietnam" product, developed by local engineers, caters to the specific needs of Vietnamese organisations, particularly state agencies. He expressed hope that the recognition will inspire his team to further refine the product.
As Vietnam's digital transformation and smart city development remain in their early stages, the organisers plan to elevate the awards' criteria, influence, and value in the coming years to encourage more significant achievements in this field./.
