Investigating Smart City Development Orientations in Vietnam: Current Situation and Solutions

This study investigates citizens’ current perceptions and understanding of distinct development trends in smart cities, focusing on selected smart city initiatives in Vietnam. Recent literature often mentions the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), as playing a pivotal role in shaping sustainable smart urban environments. In addition, sustainable waste management and comprehensive urban planning have also received frequent attention in recent years. For example, challenges in urban solid waste management in Vietnam highlight current gaps in public awareness and participation, which are crucial for sustainable city operations. Findings from Vietnam show uneven awareness across different aspects of smart cities, with citizens tending to perceive applications related to mobility and environmental management more favorably, while governance and participatory platforms remain largely neglected. These findings highlight the disconnect between top-down smart city policies and grassroots perceptions, emphasizing the need and role of more comprehensive communication. This study contributes to the theoretical literature on smart cities by highlighting the importance of tailoring local development trajectories to public understanding and sentiment in emerging economies.