The recent collaboration between Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Tampere, Finland, marks a notable development in the global pursuit to harness the powers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). As cities around the world grapple with rapid technological change, sustainable urban growth, and evolving economic landscapes, this partnership reflects a determined effort to leverage cutting-edge technology and innovative governance to build resilient, inclusive, and future-ready urban environments. With the launch of HCMC’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) as a focal point, the connection with Tampere offers a blueprint for how cities from different continents and cultural milieus can join forces to lead in digital transformation and green development.
At its core, this cooperation between two dynamic cities represents a convergence of ambition and expertise aimed at fostering innovation-led urban progress. The delegation from Tampere, led by Deputy Mayor Jouni Markkanen, engaged deeply with HCMC’s C4IR representatives on May 21, not as a perfunctory visit but as an active working session. The discussions emphasized how both cities can synchronize their technological roadmaps, blending Tampere’s credibility as a smart city innovator with HCMC’s bold strategy to become a regional hub of creativity and sustainable growth.
A linchpin of this collaboration is the newly established HCMC C4IR, which officially opened its doors on September 25 amid high-profile participation, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. This center is more than a symbolic gesture—it serves as a multifaceted platform where digital breakthroughs, policy innovation, and environmental considerations intersect. Affiliated with global institutions such as the World Economic Forum, HCMC’s C4IR acts as a crucible for nurturing emerging digital and green technologies, and it crafts actionable policy recommendations geared toward integrating 4IR principles into Vietnam’s broader development plans.
The pursuit of mutual goals is reflected in concrete proposals such as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) floated by Tampere’s Mayor Kalervo Kummola. This prospective agreement aims to entrench collaboration on projects spanning digital transformation, renewable energy, urban planning, and AI application. Tampere’s well-earned reputation as an incubator for smart city solutions complements HCMC’s aspirations, tying their fates together in co-developing sustainable urban models. Both cities recognize that blending hard technological infrastructure with smart policy frameworks is essential for addressing challenges from climate resilience to economic inclusivity.
Economic advancement forms yet another layer of this increasing synergy. HCMC is already cultivating an environment appealing to global enterprises and investors, showcased in part by its upcoming HCMC Economic Forum 2024. Gathering over 1,500 delegates worldwide under the theme “Industrial Transformation: A New Driver for the City’s Sustainability,” the forum promises to showcase collaborative outputs with partners like Tampere and to highlight transformative strategies born from 4IR technologies. This event demonstrates Vietnam’s wider intent to position itself as a front-runner in industrial and urban transformation within Southeast Asia.
Moreover, the comprehensive approach adopted by HCMC’s C4IR as both a technology incubator and a think tank is central to this partnership’s strength. By integrating insights drawn from Vietnamese business innovation and international experience, the center devises frameworks addressing digital governance, ethical AI development, and sustainable urban infrastructure. This holistic vision aligns with HCMC’s ambition to emerge as a smart city that achieves a balance between economic growth, social inclusivity, and environmental stewardship—a necessary trifecta in today’s urban developmental landscape.
The relationship between HCMC and Tampere also mirrors the broader trajectory of Vietnam’s diplomatic and economic ties with the European Union and, more specifically, Finland. Beyond technological exchanges, frequent interactions between Vietnamese and Finnish officials have established a foundation of trust and mutual understanding. These ties facilitate cooperation not only in technology and business but also in education, trade, and cultural exchanges, enriching both societies and opening pathways for sustained collaboration.
Invitations extended by HCMC’s leaders for Tampere’s participation in major upcoming events—the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum and the Week of the HCMC Economic Forum—demonstrate the city’s commitment to fostering inclusive and participatory innovation ecosystems. Such invitations underscore an openness to diverse perspectives and stakeholders, reinforcing the notion that successful urban transformation cannot happen in isolation but requires a cooperative, globalized approach.
This partnership between Ho Chi Minh City and Tampere embodies a proactive, strategic alliance fueled by common visions of technological advancement, economic sustainability, and smart urban development. Through high-level visits, collaborative sessions, prospective formal agreements, and ongoing exchanges, these cities are building a shared knowledge base and innovating pathways to apply 4IR technologies to improve the quality of life for their citizens and to grow their economies sustainably. Their cooperation stands as a model for global-local synergy, illustrating how forward-thinking policy frameworks and cross-cultural collaboration can effectively navigate the complexities of modern industrial transformation and urban growth. As these two cities deepen their ties, they lay the groundwork for other urban centers worldwide to collaborate on building smart, inclusive, and resilient futures shaped by the promise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
发表回复