Data-driven governance toward an AI City

Discussing Da Nang's goals for the new phase, Vice Chairman Ho Quang Buu emphasized going beyond standard digital transformation or smart city definitions, setting a higher goal: becoming an "AI City."

Where local government previously operated based on reports, statistics, and managerial experience, the new model uses data as the baseline for all administrative actions. Every decision is supported by real-time data, analyzed through AI, and visualized to forecast, evaluate, and choose optimal options.

This philosophy underpins the Da Nang Semiconductor Microchip and Artificial Intelligence Development Scheme for 2026–2030. A key highlight of the scheme is building the infrastructure of a data economy: from data centers, high-performance computing centers, 5G infrastructure, IoT, and open data to an innovation ecosystem and high-quality human resources.

According to Vice Chairman Ho Quang Buu, Da Nang is shifting from a "defensive" mindset (applying existing tech) to an "offensive" stance (creating new value based on data, AI, and digital technologies). The city targets having the digital economy contribute 35–40% of GRDP by 2030, establishing a data exchange, building a data economy, and turning AI into a core competency for civil servants and citizens alike.

A smart city is thus measured not merely by the quantity of AI applications, but primarily by its capacity for data-driven governance.

On June 22, 2026, the City People's Committee approved the Pilot Scheme for the Digital Twin. The Digital Twin creates a "living digital replica" of the city that continuously updates multi-sectoral data. On this platform, government can track current events and simulate development scenarios to assess impact before real-world execution. This marks a shift from reactive issue management to proactive data governance.

AI, Digital Twin and Open Data building a smart city

In the new governance model, data transitions from a byproduct of management into a new driver of development.

The Digital Twin serves as the operational environment to run simulations and support decision-making. When connected, the city manages more effectively, forecasts better, responds faster, and serves citizens more precisely.

The Semiconductor Microchip and AI Development Scheme centers on data standardization, open data growth, data center and high-performance computing investments, IoT and 5G infrastructure, and commissioning real-world urban management challenges for businesses, universities, and research institutes to solve together.

Vice Chairman Ho Quang Buu noted that AI must permeate all socio-economic activities, serving as a tool to inject knowledge into both public and private sectors. The new growth model - "Capital (Blockchain) + Labor (Robots) + Knowledge (AI)" - provides the momentum to target double-digit GRDP growth.

In Huong Tra Ward, a pilot Digital Twin system was launched, integrating and visualizing land, infrastructure, construction, education, healthcare, and population data on a single digital platform.

The system enables real-time tracking, analysis, and decision support for leadership while offering a model framework to evaluate and scale the Digital Twin citywide. Concurrently, ward cadres

and civil servants were trained in using AI to process files, manage data, and draft documents, progressively instilling data- and AI-driven administrative methods.

Alongside Huong Tra, Hoa Cuong Ward spearheaded a comprehensive digital management platform integrating data, operations, and management tools, allowing leaders to track real-time analytics while linking to citywide databases to boost operational efficiency and public service.

Meanwhile, Tam Ky Ward introduced AI into administrative reform via AI Assistants, Zalo Mini Apps, digital maps, and Community Digital Technology Teams. In less than a year, the ward processed over 13,670 applications, achieving an online submission rate of 99.54% with 100% of files resolved on or ahead of time, and assisted over 26,000 citizens with online administrative procedures. These models demonstrate that AI and data are moving beyond strategic concepts into practical tools serving citizens directly at the grassroots level.

To realize these goals, Da Nang continues to address bottlenecks in mechanisms, infrastructure, and human resources; leverage specific mechanisms under Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 and Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15; invest in international-standard data centers, Software Park No. 2, and undersea fiber-optic cables; and expand regulatory sandboxes to attract major tech conglomerates.

"The AI City model by 2030 will serve as a major highlight to attract high-tech capital and international experts to Da Nang," emphasized Vice Chairman Ho Quang Buu.

While digital transformation shifts government operations onto digital platforms, data-driven governance represents a higher stage where data becomes the "soft infrastructure" of the entire urban management apparatus.

This remains the priority strategy chosen by Da Nang to become an AI City: not just a city applying artificial intelligence, but a city operating on data platforms, using service efficiency for citizens as the ruler for every policy decision.