Key Takeaways
- Vietnam’s internet users are projected to rise from 36 million in 2014 to over 100 million by 2027, indicating significant growth potential.
- Success in smart city initiatives depends on integrating cultural depth and citizen engagement, rather than just technological deployment.
- Young creatives play a crucial role in shaping Vietnam’s digital future, blending technology with cultural narratives.
Digitisation and Cultural Integration in Vietnam
Vietnam’s digital landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by increasing internet adoption. From 36 million users in 2014, the number is projected to reach 100 million by 2027, according to Statista. This growth underscores significant untapped opportunities. While many smart city initiatives aim to enhance urban quality of life through technology, they risk becoming merely functional without integrating cultural elements essential for livability.
As Vietnam targets the development of a digital society by 2030 and aims to achieve high-income status by 2050, it has an opportunity to redefine digital innovation. It is crucial to view this progress not just as a technological leap, but as a cultural endeavor that preserves the essence of local identity while enhancing smart infrastructure.
Digital culture encompasses more than just technology; it involves the collective behaviors, beliefs, and values that people cultivate in digital environments. Surprisingly, current smart city strategies often overlook the importance of cultural digitization. The efficacy of Vietnam’s smart city projects relies on incorporating citizen-driven innovations alongside technology-driven frameworks. These initiatives must focus on fostering human experiences and maintaining local identities, preventing the emergence of indifferent, high-tech environments.
Vietnam already boasts cultural landmarks, with Hanoi, Hoi An, and Da Lat recognized in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for their contributions to design, crafts, and music. There is also a growing local creative digital art scene, characterized by collaborations across disciplines.
Despite an ongoing emphasis on modernizing infrastructure, there is a notable absence of focus on ArtTech and CultureTech—fields that enrich cultural identity and community ties. A comprehensive smart society requires not only efficient infrastructure but also “infrastructures of meaning.” In this tech-centric world, storytellers and artists play pivotal roles in forging connections.
Vietnam’s ability to innovate while honoring its cultural roots presents exciting possibilities. The desired smart society by 2050 will feature digital artists as cultural mediators, tech-savvy storytellers, and creative curators who can harness both art and algorithms. Young creatives are encouraged to seize this opportunity to develop interdisciplinary capabilities that merge storytelling and design, paving the way for a vibrant intersection of culture and technology.
In this envisioned future, Vietnam will not only embrace digital transformation but will also keep the human experience at its core, ensuring a place where culture flourishes alongside technological advancement.
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