In the bustling heart of Hanoi, where tradition meets innovation, the Vietnam-Asia Smart City Summit 2024 has ignited a spark of creativity and purpose. This year’s event not only showcases cutting-edge technological solutions but also shines a spotlight on the boundless ingenuity of Vietnam’s young generations. From eco-friendly bricks to smart recycling platforms, these youthful innovations are laying the groundwork for a sustainable, tech-driven future, proving that Hanoi is more than a city; it’s a cradle of change.

Let’s find out about the energy of the younger generations on smart city development in today’s Words on the Street.

Youth-driven solutions to domestic challenges

The Vietnam-Asia Smart City Summit 2024 officially opened in Hanoi on December 2, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward building smart cities, not only in Vietnam but across the Asian region.

This event serves as an international forum for sharing and learning about advanced urban development models and offers a unique platform for young Vietnamese innovators to showcase their creativity and enthusiasm in applying technology to real-world challenges.

This year’s summit highlights innovative technological solutions from around the world, with a special focus on ideas and projects developed by Vietnam's young startups. Unlike the 2023 edition, the 2024 event dedicates a substantial portion of its space to students, allowing them to freely present their ideas and projects aimed at shaping a brighter future.

Quick to embrace global technology trends, the young delegates have introduced diverse applications that address challenges in urban management, transportation, environmental sustainability, and other areas.

An outstanding feature of the summit is the focus on community-driven technological models that empower citizens to actively engage in managing and developing their cities. These solutions underscore the younger generation's creativity and their strong sense of social responsibility.

Hanoi: a cradle of innovation

As Vietnam's political, cultural, economic, and social hub, Hanoi has reaffirmed its leadership role in laying the groundwork for technological innovation. Hosting the conference is both fitting and symbolic, as the city continues its transformation into a smart urban center and a breeding ground for tech startups.

This is an opportunity for the youth's creative ideas to move beyond experimentation and evolve into practical solutions that benefit communities.

Le Thi Trang Anh, a student at the Foreign Trade University (Hanoi), presented Windou, a smart recycling platform, a social network that connects residents with scrap collectors to streamline waste collection and recycling. The platform aims to increase the earnings of scrap collectors while allowing the collected materials to be sold on the carbon market, contributing to Vietnam's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

A group of students from the Vietnam-Germany University (Binh Duong Province) traveled over 1,700 km to present an interactive German language learning program via a role-playing game.

Nguyen Thanh Dat, a second-year Computer Science student and the project’s programmer, explained that the game allows users to learn German interactively in either Vietnamese or English.

“One of the game’s key features is its storyline, where users progress through challenges of increasing difficulty. This differs from similar products that treat each lesson as a stand-alone module,” he shared.

Another notable project came from Dam Minh Tam, a student at FPT Polytechnic College (Hanoi). Her team introduced a water-absorbing brick made from mussel shells and rice husks. The innovative material, which consists of 80% waste shells and husks, leverages readily available low-cost resources to create eco-friendly, low-cost products.

Paving the way to a sustainable future

The Vietnam-Asia Smart City Summit 2024 is not merely a technological event but a milestone that reflects Vietnam's commitment to building sustainable urban environments.

The enthusiastic participation of the younger generation in this year’s conference illustrates their innovative spirit and sends a powerful message about Vietnam's readiness to integrate into global development trends.

Marc Noffke, a lecturer at the Vietnam-Germany University, emphasized the importance of empowering students to take the lead in projects, with educators serving as advisors and guides.

On September 2, General Secretary To Lam wrote: “We face the necessity of a revolution through bold, comprehensive reforms to restructure production relations and create new development momentum. This revolution is about digital transformation and the application of science and technology to adapt production systems to the rapid advance of the productive forces.”

This sentiment was echoed by Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai in his speech. “Hanoi is firmly committed to creating a collaborative, globally connected environment that brings together businesses, research institutions, experts, and international organizations with local governments to foster innovation, green development, and sustainability.”

The conference has undeniably opened doors to a future where cities are not only smart but also places where humanity and technology coexist in harmony. As the host, Hanoi has proven its ability to serve as both a hub for ideas and a conduit for their realization.