According to Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Transport Bui Hoa An, in this visit, his department discussed with Singaporean businesses, including Grab and ST Engineering, as to smart city development. Following that was a collaboration agreement signing ceremony with Grab Co. Ltd. Regarding managing and growing public transport in HCMC via the pilot of public electric motorbikes, the integration between Grabbike and regular buses, and the development of mini-buses.
After the visit, this department has already contacted both Indonesia and Singapore to provide information for further research in the aspect of public transport development and private vehicle management in HCMC to serve the project of transforming the city into a smart city.
Other delegates who took part in the visit also present their reports.
The Vietnam National University – HCMC had a talk with Indonesia University and Singapore National University about the experience exchange program for human resources training on healthcare, information technology, and startup fields.
Deputy Director of the Vietnam National University – HCMC Vu hai Quan stated that his organization plans to construct a similar model to the operation one of Block 71 Center (under Singapore National University) in order to serve technological incubation centers and startup training programs in the university.
He is going to ask for support from the HCMC People’s Committee to form a close connection among research units – businesses – the municipal authorities so that the startup spirit is effectively promoted in the teaching and learning process.
Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Information and Communications Vo Thi Trung Trinh proposed a cooperation program between the HCMC People’s Committee and Jakarta City of Indonesia to carry out the project of constructing a smart city since both have many similar characteristics and participate in the ASIAN smart city network.
She also suggested that the Department of Transport chair the collaboration among related state units to implement the integrated platform for smart traffic in order to form a suitable application ecosystem for better management in the new city model.
Representatives of the HCMC Department of Planning and Architecture shared that they successfully reached a consensus with the Singaporean partner on a cooperation program about urban planning, focusing on the sustainable growth and technology boost. This department also invited Singaporean experts to join in the judge board for the international planning contest of a new innovative and highly interactive urban area in the East of HCMC.
Director of the HCMC Department of Construction Le Hoa Binh presented information about the collaboration program to address the accommodation demands of HCMC residents, with the proposal to build more subsidized housing for rent and to use information technology in monitoring housing security.
Agreeing with many plans of the above departments, HCMC Party Chief Nguyen Thien Nhan shared some more recommendations for even better results. He stated that to construct a similar model to Block 71 Center in the Vietnam National University – HCMC, this educational institute needs to work closely with related businesses for a comprehensive schedule and essential facilities. The municipal authorities are going to financially promote startup activities. He mentioned that the Vietnam National University – HCMC and the Department of Education and Training should concentrate on their task of training internationally capable human resources for the city.
He also raised the need to pay close attention to urban management according to global standards.
The HCMC Party Chief suggested establishing an institute for education and training management for HCMC, under the control of a certain university in HCMC, in order to improve the management ability of state educational leaders as well as school principals. These are to prepare for process of raising the school education level in HCMC to the international one.
Sharing his similar thoughts to the Department of Construction as to construction security management, Mr. Nhan requested a transparent solution to alleviate the problem of illegal construction in HCMC at present.
