Amidst the strong Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a core driver for global digital economic growth. Recognizing this importance, from May 18 to 23, 2026, a delegation of officials from Hai Phong City conducted a meaningful training and professional development mission on AI in Nanning and Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. This trip provided valuable technological knowledge and serves as a vivid demonstration of the deepening friendly cooperative relationship between Hai Phong and Guangxi.
Strategic Vision from High-Level Agreements
This training program is not an isolated event but a direct result of high-level agreements reached previously. Specifically, in November 2025, during a visit to Hai Phong, Chairman Vi Thao of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region held talks with the former Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee, Le Ngoc Chau. Both parties agreed to organize an AI training course to enhance the awareness and capacity of Hai Phong's officials. This commitment was reaffirmed as a central cooperation focus for the year during the 2026 Spring Meeting between the Party Secretaries of border localities.
The Hai Phong delegation consisted of 25 participants, including leaders, managers, and specialists from City Party and government agencies, led by Mr. Nguyen Minh Kha, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology.
A Journey of Knowledge in Nanning and Guilin
The training program was scientifically designed, blending in-depth theory with field surveys at 10 representative models. In Nanning and Guilin, participants accessed the latest thinking in management and technology.
Theoretically, the delegation attended two specialized themes. The first, "Chinese-style Modernization," lectured by Professor Dr. Li Guangyi, helped participants understand the harmony between economic development, culture, and sustainable national governance in the digital era. The second, "AI Metaverse – New Opportunities for Digital China," by Professor Jiang Ming, affirmed the strategic shift from a digital economy to an intelligent economy, where AI is a core productive force for optimizing resources and automating complex decisions.
Field visits offered a visual perspective on AI's power in life and production. At Runjian Corporation, the delegation learned about a 1,000P scale intelligent computing power center supporting the development of large AI models. At Guilin University of Electronic Technology, which houses Guangxi's first AI academy, they witnessed the close linkage between the university and leading tech giants like Huawei, Baidu, and Tencent to develop smart chips and algorithms.
Marks of Friendship and Lessons Learned
Beyond technology, the trip was a moving journey to ancestral roots. The delegation visited the Nanning Yucai Campus, which trained about 7,000 Vietnamese revolutionary cadres starting in 1951 at the request of President Ho Chi Minh. These landmarks testify to the special Vietnam-China solidarity, providing a reliable foundation for modern technological cooperation today.
From Guangxi's practice, the delegation drew valuable lessons for Hai Phong. These include the importance of synchronous strategic orientation from government to local levels, the necessity of establishing a Big Data Bureau to coordinate core data, and the "research linked to practice" model where urban management and production problems serve as research topics for institutes.
Future Directions for AI in Hai Phong
Upon completion, the delegation proposed strategic recommendations to promote the AI ecosystem in the port city. Hai Phong needs to build its own AI development strategy tailored to local characteristics while staying connected to regional initiatives. Proposed applications include:
- Urban Management: Developing an Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) using AI for forecasting and early warning to support decision-making.
- Public Services: Integrating AI Chatbots for 24/7 citizen support and personalized administrative services.
- Key Economic Sectors: Applying AI and IoT in aquaculture monitoring, blockchain for agricultural traceability, and AR/VR technology to recreate historical sites for tourism.
- Health and Education: Using AI in medical imaging, medical record analysis, and creating visual simulation lectures.
The success of the 2026 training in Guangxi opens a new chapter in the partnership between Hai Phong and Guangxi. Beyond official exchanges, both sides aim to coordinate forums, specialized workshops, and promote cooperation between universities like Hai Phong University and Hai Duong University with research institutes in Guangxi. This will contribute to building a high-quality AI workforce ready to propel Hai Phong forward in the digital age.
The trip concluded with high praise for the organization and the warm, solemn reception from the host, affirming that AI cooperation is not just technical but a bond strengthening the friendship between the two localities and countries.