In a move to position Hai Phong as a regional leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Chairman of the City People’s Committee has issued a decisive set of directives following a high-level working session with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). According to Notification No. 341/TB-VP dated June 26, 2026, the city leadership has demanded a fundamental shift in mindset, transitioning from traditional administrative methods to a modern, data-driven governance model where science and innovation serve as the primary engines for socio-economic development.
H1 2026 Review: Progress Amidst Challenges
The working session, held on June 18, 2026, provided a comprehensive evaluation of the city’s performance in the first half of the year. Reports from DOST indicated significant strides in administrative reform, with the department ranking first among 12 city agencies in administrative indices. Furthermore, Hai Phong has seen an impressive expansion of its digital infrastructure, with 5G coverage now reaching 100% of industrial parks and 98% of the general population.
However, Chairman Do Thanh Trung was forthright in his assessment, stating that these results are not yet commensurate with the city’s potential. He highlighted several "bottlenecks," including a lack of prominent, high-impact scientific products, slow progress in data synchronization, and a persistent shortage of high-quality human resources in specialized fields such as AI and semiconductors. The Chairman emphasized that DOST must evolve from a passive administrative unit into a proactive "focal point" that initiates technological breakthroughs.
Strategic Objectives for Late 2026: The "Products" of Innovation
To ensure tangible results, the City People’s Committee has tasked DOST with several high-stakes missions to be completed within the 2026 fiscal year:
- Flagship Innovation Products: DOST must lead the development and deployment of at least one major science and technology product that demonstrates practical, measurable impact on the city’s economy.
- Global Marine Tech Hub: The city is fast-tracking a project to establish Hai Phong as an International Center for Marine Science and Technology Training, Research, and Application.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation: A key priority is the establishment of a Data Analysis and AI Center. This center will support large-scale problem-solving in sectors such as traffic management, healthcare, and public investment. Additionally, the city will pilot a "Virtual Assistant" to support public service officials in their daily duties.
- International Collaboration: DOST will intensify cooperation with international partners, including the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and the Guangxi Big Data Development Bureau, specifically focusing on AI applications and technology transfer.
The "July 1st Revolution" in Data Governance
One of the most significant directives in Notification 341/TB-VP is the mandatory adoption of the Intelligent Operation Center (IOC). Starting July 1, 2026, the city will achieve a unified digital reporting standard.
- Official Data Source: All socio-economic reports and meeting materials must exclusively use data pulled from the IOC system.
- Zero Tolerance for Discrepancies: The People’s Committee will no longer accept paper reports or documents containing data that contradicts or has not been synchronized with the IOC.
- Empowering Leaders: City leaders will be equipped with technical tools, such as tablets, to access real-time IOC data for decision-making.
This shift is intended to eliminate "data silos" and ensure that information is "correct, sufficient, clean, live, unified, and shared" across all levels of government.
Collaborative Responsibility Across Departments
The Chairman emphasized that digital transformation is not the sole responsibility of DOST. Other departments have been given specific mandates to support this ecosystem:
- Department of Finance: Must prioritize funding for key technology projects and ensure full disbursement for sci-tech activities by August 2026.
- Department of Home Affairs: Directed to digitalize all personnel records and utilize digital data to quantify the productivity and performance of civil servants.
- Sector-Specific Digitalization: The Departments of Health, Education, Agriculture, and Construction are required to accelerate the digitalization of their respective sectors, focusing on areas like environmental monitoring, Smart City development, and agricultural traceability.
Meaning and Importance: A Blueprint for the Future
The conclusions drawn by the Chairman represent more than just administrative tasks; they signal a strategic pivot in Hai Phong’s development philosophy. By mandating that data be the "highest authority" in governance, the city is fostering a culture of transparency and precision.
This approach is critical for attracting high-tech foreign direct investment (FDI). International investors in fields like semiconductors and electronics demand a predictable, efficient, and technologically advanced environment. By building a robust innovation ecosystem and a "Smart Hai Phong" platform, the city is directly enhancing its global competitiveness.
Ultimately, the strict deadlines—such as the August disbursement target and the July 1st data unification—demonstrate a commitment to discipline and accountability. The leadership has made it clear: units that "push difficult tasks" to higher levels without proposing solutions will be held accountable. As DOST strives to enter the Top 3 nationwide for Digital Transformation and Innovation indices, these directives provide the necessary roadmap to ensure Hai Phong remains the "dynamic engine" of Northern Vietnam.