Vietnam's Da Nang Lays Out Vision to Become 'AI City' by 2030

The central Vietnamese city of Da Nang has established a strategic goal to become an "AI City" by 2030, a vision intended to drive sustainable and comprehensive development, said Ho Quang Buu, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang Municipal People’s Committee. The initiative, which seeks to build on the city's reputation beyond tourism, aligns with the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on advancing science, technology, and national digital transformation.

The digital economy has been designated as the core driver for Da Nang’s development, with officials targeting a contribution of 35–40% of the city’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) by 2030. Mr. Buu emphasized that the city must undergo a powerful shift from simply applying existing technologies to creating new value based on data and artificial intelligence. Specific targets include achieving at least 15% annual growth in the core digital economy, piloting a data exchange platform, and supporting at least 90% of business households in adopting digital platforms.

To achieve this, Mr. Buu noted that the city must overcome key hurdles, including disparities in digital infrastructure and capacity, gaps in the legal framework, and the pressing need for high-quality human resources. In response, Da Nang is focusing on strategic infrastructure, including the development of Software Park No. 2 and international-standard data centers to provide a solid foundation for its AI ambitions.

Simultaneously, the city is committed to fostering a transparent business environment and aggressively implementing digital government initiatives to serve businesses and attract high-tech investment. Da Nang aims to attract major corporations to establish research and production headquarters, with a goal of hosting approximately 10 digital technology enterprises with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion. The city remains open to breakthrough ideas in sectors from the low-altitude economy to fintech and biotechnology.