Move over Silicon Valley – Vietnam’s largest metropolis is making a stunning bid to become the world’s first true AI-powered city. In a groundbreaking announcement that turned heads at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Ho Chi Minh City laid out an ambitious roadmap that could revolutionize how we think about smart cities.
“This isn’t just another smart city project – we’re talking about AI being woven into the very fabric of daily life,” says Sarah Chen, a technology analyst at Global Urban Futures. “What Ho Chi Minh City is proposing could be a game-changer for urban development worldwide.”
On a snowy Tuesday morning in the Swiss Alps, Vietnamese tech giant CMC Corporation and Ho Chi Minh City officials unveiled their vision before an audience of the world’s most influential leaders. The announcement came during a packed side forum titled “AI.X for the Intelligent Age,” where the excitement was palpable among the gathered dignitaries and tech executives.

“Imagine a city where AI doesn’t just control traffic lights – it’s your personal assistant, your legal advisor, and your city guide all rolled into one,” explained Nguyen Trung Chinh, Chairman of CMC Corporation, gesturing enthusiastically during his presentation. “We’re not just adding a layer of technology to the city – we’re reimagining how a modern city functions from the ground up.”
The project, backed by a hefty $200 million investment commitment through 2030, isn’t just another pie-in-the-sky concept. It’s already taking shape through CMC’s C.OpenAI Ecosystem, which has been quietly developed over the past decade. The system includes everything from AI-powered security cameras to virtual legal assistants that can help residents navigate bureaucratic processes in seconds rather than days.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Critics point to concerns about privacy and data security in such a heavily integrated AI environment. “The key challenge will be balancing innovation with privacy protection,” notes Dr. James Wong, a digital rights advocate attending the forum. “Ho Chi Minh City needs to show the world that AI can enhance urban life while respecting individual rights.”
City officials appear well aware of these concerns. Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, emphasized that the project builds on more than ten years of careful AI research and development. “We’re not starting from scratch,” he insisted. “This is the culmination of years of preparation and careful planning.”
The timing of the announcement couldn’t be more significant. As global tech giants race to dominate the AI landscape, Vietnam is positioning itself as more than just a manufacturing hub. “This is Vietnam’s moment to shine,” says Dr. Philipp Rösler, Honorary Director of Vietnam C4IR. “We’re not following the playbook – we’re writing it.”
The infrastructure backing this ambitious project is impressive. CMC’s data centers meet the stringent Uptime Tier III-IV standards, and the company has developed 25 “Made in Vietnam” AI technologies. These range from sophisticated surveillance systems to chatbots that can handle complex citizen services in multiple languages.
Perhaps most intriguingly, the project isn’t just about technology – it’s about creating a new model for urban development that other cities can follow. “Think of it as a living laboratory for the future of urban living,” explains Maria Rodriguez, an urban planning expert at the Forum. “The lessons learned here could help cities worldwide navigate their own AI transitions.”
The immediate impact is already being felt. Following the announcement, several major tech companies expressed interest in establishing research centers in Ho Chi Minh City, potentially creating a snowball effect that could accelerate the city’s transformation.
As the sun set over the Swiss Alps on this historic day, one thing became clear: the race to build the world’s first true AI city is on, and Ho Chi Minh City has just taken a commanding lead. Whether this ambitious vision becomes reality remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain – the world will be watching closely as this Southeast Asian metropolis attempts to rewrite the rules of urban development for the AI age.
For now, the city’s 9 million residents can look forward to being part of what could be one of the most fascinating urban experiments in human history. As one local tech entrepreneur put it, “The future isn’t coming to Ho Chi Minh City – we’re building it here.”