The recent collaboration between Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and the Finnish city of Tampere represents a forward-looking alliance, centered on leveraging the transformative potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This partnership not only highlights a shared ambition for technological innovation but also underscores a commitment to sustainable development and resilient urban futures in both cities.
This relationship was brought into sharper focus during the visit of a delegation from Tampere, led by Deputy Mayor Jouni Markkanen, to HCMC’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) on May 21. Far from being a mere courtesy call, this visit constituted a substantive working session that sought to identify and develop synergies between the two cities’ technological agendas and development strategies. The engagement highlighted a mutual desire to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions and smart city initiatives, with representatives from both sides recognizing the advantages of shared knowledge and experience.
At the core of this cooperation lies the newly inaugurated C4IR in Ho Chi Minh City, officially opened on September 25 in a ceremony graced by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and various other dignitaries. The establishment of this center signals Vietnam’s dedication to embedding 4IR principles into its broader national development framework. By aligning itself with global entities such as the World Economic Forum (WEF), HCMC’s C4IR serves as more than just an innovation hub; it provides a platform where policy recommendations take shape, particularly focusing on digital transformation and green technologies. This fusion of innovation and policy underscores the city’s dual approach: fostering economic growth while addressing urgent sustainability challenges.
Expanding beyond technology, the cooperation between HCMC and Tampere is poised to formalize through a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), crafted to deepen collaboration in digital transformation and green growth. Tampere’s reputation as a cradle of smart city innovation makes it a valuable partner for HCMC’s goals of becoming a regional beacon of creativity and sustainable urban development. This strategic alignment allows both cities to co-develop best practices in urban planning, renewable energy deployment, and responsible AI integration. Such an approach is vital in today’s complex urban landscape, where technology must harmonize with environmental and social imperatives.
This collaborative effort dovetails with HCMC’s broader economic and industrial transformation strategies. The city is keenly aware of the need to attract global investment and facilitate knowledge exchange to maintain its competitive edge. The forthcoming HCMC Economic Forum 2024, themed “Industrial Transformation: A New Driver for the City’s Sustainability,” is expected to bring together over 1,500 delegates, both local and international. Events like this provide an invaluable opportunity to showcase the tangible benefits emerging from partnerships such as the one with Tampere, while also offering a platform to discuss evolving industrial paradigms steered by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The C4IR’s role transcends that of a traditional tech incubator; it is an active policy think tank leveraging insights from both Vietnamese enterprises and international collaborators. This positions it uniquely to offer guidance on essential topics including digital governance, ethical frameworks for AI, and strategies for sustainable urban infrastructure. The multidimensional nature of this work reflects HCMC’s ambition to build a smart city that balances economic advancements with social inclusivity and environmental care—a model increasingly sought after in urban centers worldwide.
Moreover, the cooperation between HCMC and Tampere serves as a microcosm of the growing economic and diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the European Union, and more specifically, Finland. Exchanges between officials—ranging from visits to the Vietnamese Embassy in Finland to hosting Finnish delegations in Vietnam—have laid a solid foundation of trust and mutual understanding. This foundation is not limited to technology sectors but extends to education, trade, and cultural engagement, offering a broad platform from which diverse cooperative ventures can emerge.
The Tampere delegation’s visit further reinforced the spirit of inclusivity and participation that HCMC embraces in its governance and innovation strategies. By inviting Finnish counterparts to upcoming events such as the HCMC Economic Forum and the accompanying “Week of the HCMC Economic Forum” scheduled for November, HCMC demonstrates openness to diverse stakeholders contributing to its developmental vision. This participative approach enhances the city’s capacity to adapt and thrive amid the rapid changes brought on by technological advancements and sustainability challenges.
In essence, the partnership between Ho Chi Minh City’s C4IR and Tampere city encapsulates a vibrant, strategic, and forward-thinking alliance. It blends shared aspirations for technological innovation with economic sustainability and smart urban development. Through formal visits, collaborative working sessions, and proposed agreements, the two cities are pooling expertise to unlock the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in ways that uplift their citizens and economies alike. Beyond the immediate bilateral benefits, this cooperation serves as a compelling example of how cities can harness global networks and adaptive policy frameworks to effectively manage the complexities of modern urban growth and industrial evolution. As this partnership deepens, it may well serve as a blueprint for international collaboration aimed at securing sustainable, technologically empowered urban futures.
发表回复