Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hoa – Deputy Director of the City Digital Transformation Center, representing the Center's Directorate, received the Finnish delegation.

At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hoa discussed the City's digital transformation orientation with the HAUS delegation, while exploring Finnish programs, models, and experiences that could align with the practical needs of Ho Chi Minh City.

Connecting Expert Resources with Practical Needs

The Finnish delegation introduced the Digital and Green Transition (FDGT) Programme, funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and implemented by HAUS for the 2025–2027 period, with a total budget of EUR 5.25 million. The program aims to promote human-centric digital transformation and sustainable development, while enhancing digital governance, the digital economy, and digital connectivity in partner countries.

Mr. Sami Frestadius – Counselor of the Embassy of Finland, speaking at the meeting.

One of the key mechanisms introduced at the meeting is the dispatching of Finnish experts to work directly at public agencies and organizations of partner countries for a period of 1 to 6 months. Under this model, experts are selected based on the specific needs of the receiving unit. They will not merely share experiences but also actively participate in researching, consulting, and assisting in solving practical problems. FDGT currently focuses on mobilizing Finnish expertise in areas such as secure digital connectivity, cybersecurity, digital governance, open data, GIS, smart cities, and digital skills development.

Ho Chi Minh City Proposes Three Priority Needs

Based on the discussions, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hoa proposed that the Finnish side consider supporting three priority areas, closely aligned with the specific requirements in the development of the City's infrastructure, data, and digital workforce:

Overview of the working session.

- Firstly, data Governance for the City's Intelligent Operations Center (IOC): Focusing on enhancing the capacity to manage, exploit, and utilize data to serve operational management and decision-making processes.

- Secondly, artificial Intelligence (AI) Application: Particularly Agentic AI in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, logistics, and transportation. Exchanging experiences and accessing experts in this field is expected to help identify application models that fit the City's practical conditions and governance requirements.

- Thirdly, popularize Digital Skills: Fostering digital skills for the general public and enhancing the digital capacity of cadres, civil servants, and public employees. This contributes to building a workforce capable of adapting to rapid technological advancements and the digital transformation process.

These three proposed contents form an interconnected chain of "data – technology – people," in which data is the foundation, technology is the tool, and people are the decisive factor in converting digital solutions into practical values. This is also the City's orientation in seeking appropriate professional support, bridging international resources and experiences directly with specific challenges in its digital transformation journey.

Continuing the Next Steps for Expert Connection

Based on the priority needs proposed by the City, the Finnish side will implement the program's next steps. These include researching and selecting experts with appropriate expertise, finalizing relevant details, and carrying out procedures to submit to Vietnamese competent authorities for consideration and approval before dispatching the experts. Connecting experts through the FDGT mechanism is expected to create an additional channel to bring international experience and knowledge closer to the City's specific problems. Furthermore, it will expand professional exchanges, connect organizations, and gradually establish in-depth cooperation in the fields of digital and green transition.

Representatives of the Digital Transformation Center, the Department of External Relations, and the Finnish delegation taking a commemorative photo.

The working session between the City Digital Transformation Center and HAUS has significantly contributed to broadening cooperative ties between Ho Chi Minh City and Finland. It also establishes a strong premise for researching and receiving expert resources tailored to the digital transformation tasks currently prioritized by the City.