The selection of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to host the ICF Global Summit 2025 is a significant milestone that validates its development strategy, which hinges on knowledge, science, technology, and innovation as its foundational pillars and new growth drivers.

The “Megacity” Accelerated by Knowledge and Technology

This emphasis was highlighted by Mr. Vo Minh Thanh, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Science and Technology, at the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) Summit, held in Binh Duong Ward (HCMC) from December 2nd to 5th. The ICF Global Summit 2025 convenes over 600 global leaders, urban experts, international developers, technology corporations, research institutes, and leading investors. HCMC hosting the event also marks the first time a city in Southeast Asia has been entrusted by the ICF with organizing the network’s most important annual event.

In the morning session on December 2nd, themed “Accelerating to become a Smart Community,” Mr. Thanh underscored the pioneering role of science and technology, stating: “The theme of today’s working day reflects the spirit HCMC is pursuing. In the context of a fast-moving world, cities that know how to accelerate with knowledge and technology, connect communities, and proactively innovate, will lead the future.

Mr. Vo Minh Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, presented at the ICF Global Summit 2025 on December 2. Photo: Organizing Committee

He affirmed that “science and technology are the key to unlocking new growth models, a new quality of life, and opening up new governance structures.” Mr. Thanh further detailed the city’s approach: “HCMC is vigorously implementing dual transformation—digital transformation and green transformation; building and operating a shared data system; strengthening the application of artificial intelligence in urban governance; and developing smart transport and logistics infrastructure. Simultaneously, we are expanding innovation spaces based on a close cooperation model among the State, Institutes, and Enterprises.”

The convergence of these factors creates the foundation for the city’s development towards becoming smart, sustainable, humane, and emerging as the innovation hub of Southeast Asia, as communicated to international and domestic delegates by the HCMC representative.

Delegates at the morning session of December 2 at the ICF Global Summit 2025 organized by Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Organizing Committee

Success Stories and Inheritance

Mr. Lou Zacharilla, co-founder of ICF, referred to the ICF Global Summit 2025 in HCMC as a “rare success story” following HCMC’s takeover of the hosting role from Binh Duong (which was merged into HCMC, along with Ba Ria – Vung Tau, from July 1, 2025). In 2023, the former Binh Duong province ranked in the ICF Top 7, marking its third consecutive recognition in this group of leading cities.

In the former Binh Duong province, the Becamex Group was assigned to develop and coordinate the implementation of the Binh Duong Smart City project to achieve these results.

Ms. Tran Thi Hong Minh, Deputy General Director of Becamex Group, further emphasized the significance of the inheritance that Mr. Zacharilla is interested in: “We are more and more deeply aware of our responsibility in inheriting and promoting the values that have been proven through practice… This is not a copying of an existing model, but a journey of selectively inheriting, adjusting and refreshing proven experiences to suit the scale, characteristics and aspirations of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, a megacity that plays the leading role of the country.”

Also today, ICF Global Summit 2025 announced the Top 7 Global Smart Communities 2025. They are the city of Assai (Parana, Brazil); Bursa City (Turkey); Durham Region (Ontario Province, Canada); Fairfield City (Jefferson County, Iowa, USA); Hilliard City (Ohio, USA); the city of Kingston (province of Ontario, Canada); Municipality of Las Rozas de Madrid (Spain).

Ms. Hong Minh said that each community in the Top 7 of 2025 has a different implementation method, but they all affirm the same truth. It is that the “intelligence” of a city does not lie in the size of the budget or the level of modernity of technology, but in the ability to connect, the ability to co-create, and the ability to transform potential resources into practical value for people’s lives.

Ms. Tran Thi Hong Minh, Deputy General Director of Becamex Group, presented at the ICF Global Summit 2025 on December 2. Photo: Organizing Committee

“That is also the spirit that Becamex is committed to continuing to contribute to Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City and other localities of Vietnam on the journey of development based on knowledge, technology and innovation,” Ms. Minh affirmed.

The theme of the Global Summit 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City. ICF’s motto is: “Smart and ready to invest – Transforming Vietnam’s economy”. This important forum will revolve around the 6 core pillars of ICF (Digital Equality – Knowledge Workforce – Innovation – Broadband Infrastructure – Sustainability – Community Engagement) and is fully in line with the 5 pillars of digital transformation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW and Plan 459-KH/TU of the City. according to the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. HCM.

Source: Dan Viet