UEH Partners with Can Tho in Shaping Smart City Development and Modern Logistics Strategies

12 Dec, 2025

On the morning of December 9, 2025, as part of the Can Tho City Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Week 2025, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) participated in the 'Can Tho, a Livable City' Innovation Initiatives Forum, serving as an academic partner to the locality in shaping urban development policy.

Through in-depth research from the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM) and the Institute of Intelligent and Interactive Technologies (3I), UEH contributed scientific foundations, models, and practical solutions to support Can Tho City in building modern logistics infrastructure, promoting digital transformation, and shaping an inclusive and sustainable smart city development strategy.

At the forum, Dr. Nhieu Nhat Luong and PhD Candidate Do Le Phuc Tam delivered key presentations, initiating a series of in-depth discussions developed by the UEH research team. The contributions focused on two pivotal pillars for Can Tho: modern logistics infrastructure and a smart city orientation linked with digital transformation and inclusive development.

Logistics – The 'Backbone' of a Regional Hub City

Dr. Nhieu Nhat Luong from the 3I Institute speaking at the forum

The research team emphasized the essential role of logistics infrastructure in the operational efficiency of the urban economy and the Mekong Delta's supply chains. They proposed five breakthrough solution groups for Can Tho, including:

Establishing a network of regional and cold-chain logistics centers for agricultural and aquatic products.
Developing a digital logistics platform based on IoT, Big Data, and AI.
Enhancing multi-modal logistics, leveraging the advantages of waterway transport.
Promoting green logistics linked with a circular economy.
Building a Center for High-Quality Logistics Human Resource Development for the entire region.

These proposals are aimed at optimizing costs, reducing post-harvest losses, enhancing the competitiveness of agricultural products, and supporting Can Tho's sustainable development goals.

Smart City – 'Sufficient' Technology and Inclusive Development

PhD Candidate Do Le Phuc Tam from ISCM presenting his paper

From an urban development perspective, the research team from ISCM stressed that a smart city is not about maximizing technology but about applying technology "sufficiently" to solve urban problems within the specific resource constraints of the locality.

Key points included:

Digital transformation as the core foundation for restructuring urban governance and services, leading to a digital government, digital economy, and digital environment.
Analysis of urban challenges: environment, climate change, uncontrolled urban sprawl, and resource pressure.
Based on international indicators (IMD – Smart City Index, CIMI), the team identified the potential and existing limitations of Vietnamese cities.
A proposed approach of "Global mindset - Local commitment," linking smart city development with an inclusive growth strategy.
Highlighting the Living Lab model—a space where government, scientists, businesses, and the community can co-create and test urban solutions in real-world conditions.

Affirming UEH's Role in Academia and Policy Consulting

Through these two presentations on modern logistics and smart cities, UEH continues to demonstrate its role as a hub of knowledge and innovation, making tangible contributions to Can Tho's development strategy in the new era.

The proposals from the UEH research team not only hold scientific value but also provide a valuable reference for policymaking in logistics infrastructure, digital transformation, smart cities, and the goal of making "Can Tho – A Livable City."

Delegates take a commemorative photo