Globally, the Smart City concept has recently become a centerpiece for discussion among local government authorities. Cities in both developed and developing countries have been researching the means of building the new generation of modern cities. This is because cities are increasingly facing complex urban growth and migration issues; demands from inhabitants regarding water supply, education, safety and transportation; and the need for competitiveness in attracting business investors, tourists and talents.

In Vietnam, since 2000, e-government has been a part of Vietnam’s national agenda for public administration reform. Many important decisions by the Party and the government have been taken to facilitate the building of a modern government based on IT. In the early years of the current decade, Government agencies in Vietnam began discussing early aspects of smart city development (SCD). More structured discussions took place prior to the launch of city-level master plans in 2016 and thereafter. The principal purpose of SCD in Vietnam is the enhancement of economic competitiveness, specifically with respect continuing efforts to attract inwards foreign direct investment (FDI), with the secondary effect of promoting cities as open, sophisticated metropolises that can take their place in the network of global cities, while ensuring public order and security, alongside traffic, water and waste management.

At RMIT, over the last four years, we have organized several important events such as International Business and Economic Forums, International Business Week at which the business community, policymakers and academics throughout Vietnam have gathered to discuss aspects of the business and economic environment. The RMIT Smart City Forum (RSCF) 2020 aim to make contributions to sustainable future of the economy and society of Vietnam.

The central theme for this forum this year is:

Managing Smart Cities for a Sustainable Future

Topics for the keynotes:

• Building blocks for a smart city

• Attributes for successful smart cities

• Identifying characteristics of smart people for a smart city

• Managing stakeholders in smart city development

• Smart city solutions: how to harness the potential of new technologies to improve city life

• Smart City Development: International practice and implications for Vietnam

There are 6 streams:

1. Smart People

2. Smart Economy

3. Smart Logistics

4. Smart Tourism and environment

5. Smart Technologies

6. Smart Government

Objectives:

The aims of the RMIT Smart City Forum 2020 are to:

1. Establish a forum for the discussion of vital smart city development (SCD) themes in the context of Vietnam

2. Bring together stakeholders in SCD (e.g. industry experts, policy makers, local and international consultants and academics) for inter-industry and inter-disciplinary networking and promoting understanding through dialogue

3. Contribute to the building of Vietnam’s smart cities

4. Present international best practice in SCD

5. Present RMIT Vietnam’s research agenda for SCD

6. Establish the current progress of SCD in Vietnam’s cities and outline the next steps.

There will be about 500 attendees for the event at Saigon South including:

1. Government delegates, both local and national levels

2. Industry representatives

3. Member of civil society and non-governmental organizations

4. RMIT community

5. Representative of other local universities and academic experts

6. Representatives of the media

SESSION 1: KEYNOTE ADDRESSES (09:00 - 10:30)

Building blocks for a smart city

RMIT Researcher

Attributes for successful smart cities

Regional Representatives

ASOCIO/ASEAN Smart Cities Network/Singapore

Identifying characteristics of smart people for a smart city

Central Government Leader

(Dr. Tran Dinh Thien / Dr. Mai Liem Truc)

Managing stakeholders in smart city development

Local Government

Prof. Nguyen Thien Nhan Or Da Nang City Leader

Digital City Solutions: How to harness the potential of new tech to improve City life

Business leaders

(Siemens or Schneider)

Smart City Development: Experience from Australia

Consulate General

Australian Embassy to Vietnam

TEA BREAK AND VISITING SMART CITY SHOWCASE

The showcase will bring together a selection of local, international, large and small companies from multiple sectors like; smart technology, tourism, smart sustainability, renewable energy and sustainable food production.

The showcase is designed to demonstrate how the internet of things (IoT) will connect all of us through demonstrations of the latest interconnected technologies and concepts from our corporate partners.

SESSION 2: PANEL DISCUSSION

Key-note speakers, moderator and students

Moderated by Dr. Nguyen Quang Trung (RMIT)

This session brings together international business stakeholders (industry guest speakers, academic experts and policy-makers) to facilitate the discussions on SCD in Vietnam.

Students and members of local and international firms together with the general audience can interact with experts to identify current and future SCD issues and what they will mean for them.

This session brings together international business stakeholders (industry guest speakers, academic experts and policy-makers) to facilitate the discussions on SCD in Vietnam.

Students and members of local and international firms together with the general audience can interact with experts to identify current and future SCD issues and what they will mean for them.

Track 1: Smart People

Management and HR Management Programs

Track 2: Smart Economy

Econ and Finance Program

Track 3: Smart Logistics

Logistics Program

Track 4: Smart Tourism and Environment

Tourism Program

Track 5: Smart Technologies

Digital Business and Marketing Programs

Track 6: Smart Government

International Business Program

For Companies:

• Inform and shape the minds of the business leaders of tomorrow by sharing your experiences and engaging with our students

• Observe the successes of renowned companies and their solutions,

• Learn about cutting-edge business practices and government strategies to enhance the effectiveness of your organization

• Network with other business leaders, government representatives and RMIT community

For Industry guests:

• Observe the successes of renowned companies and their solutions,

• Learn about cutting-edge business practices and government strategies to enhance the effectiveness of your organization

• Network with business, government representatives and students

For Government:

• Inform and shape the minds of future leaders by sharing your experiences with our students

• Articulate the vision that the government has to ensure a sustainable future for Vietnam and its people

• Observe the successes of renowned companies and their solutions,

• Learn about cutting-edge technologies and best international practices enhance the effectiveness of public service

For RMIT Community:

• Obtain opinions and insights from renowned leaders from prominent companies to enhance your learning experience and see theories in action

• Listen to senior government officials/advisors outline their vision for the sustainable future development of Vietnam

• Network with business leaders and government representatives

For Media:

• Emphasize the international practice and implications for smart city development in Vietnam

• Highlight building blocks and attributes for a successful smart city development process

• Gain insights into how to manage stakeholders in smart city development process

• Network with business leaders and government representatives

• International Business Forum 2019: Born Global: The future of Digital Economy

• International Business Week 2019:

• International Business Forum 2018: Internationalisation of Vietnamese Firms: What does it take?

• International Business Forum 2017: International business environment in Vietnam: Opportunities, challenges and how to move forward

• Media report for the event in 2019: Click HERE

• Media report for the event in 2018: Click HERE

• Media report for the event in 2018 (SOE presentation): Click HERE

• Media report for the event in 2017: Click HERE