The Intelligent Community Forum Names its First Vietnamese City for Development Excellence

(October 26, 2023 – New York City, NY) – For the first time in its 24-year history, the Intelligent Community Forum honored a Vietnamese city with its top award today when it named Binh Duong as the 2023 Intelligent Community of the Year. Binh Duong, located in the southern part of the country, had been previously named a Smart21 Community five times and to the prestigious list of Top7 three times since 2019. Mai Hung Dung, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee accepted the award for Binh Duong. The announcement was made during the annual Intelligent Community Awards Dinner in New York City, the culminating event of this year’s ICF Global Summit conference. (www.icfsummit.com)

“This year we witnessed an historic moment in the life of cities with Vietnam’s first Intelligent Community being named Intelligent Community of the Year,” said ICF Co-Founder Louis Zacharilla. “Binh Duong has methodically executed ICF’s Community Accelerator Strategy while participating in our annual awards. The city is a great example of the power of teamwork, focus on a clear and persistent strategy and a passionate dedication to creating a place that honors its people and is part of a nation preparing its citizens for the 21st Century. ICF’s Founders were also pleased to see Eindhoven, a former Intelligent Community of the Year, work with Binh Duong on adapting the Dutch city’s experience and best practices to Vietnam’s culture and transitioning economy. Binh Duong represents many things to other cities throughout the world, but mainly, it is physical, vibrant proof that ‘the middle of nowhere is no more!’”

Binh Duong succeeds New Taipei City, Taiwan as ICF’s Intelligent Community of the Year. Representatives from New Taipei City were on the stage as Binh Duong accepted. Binh Duong was selected after more than a year of evaluation that included a quantitative analysis of extensive data, a site audit by an Intelligent Community Forum co-founder and votes from an international jury made up of experts from around the world. Communities in the Awards program are evaluated based on six Factors making up the Community Accelerator Strategy, which combine to produce inclusive economic growth, strengthen social connection and support rich and meaningful cultures.

The 2023 ICF Global Summit explored how cities of almost any size and anywhere can adapt the Community Accelerator Strategy to their unique challenges and assets and build dynamic and innovative economies and prosperous, inclusive communities that attract talent and investment. Its theme was “The Middle of Nowhere Is No More!”

Starting on Wednesday October 25th, the Summit featured two days of programming, workshops and panel discussions around the City of New York, including the SUNY Global Center, with leaders from around the world, including representatives from each of the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2023 – the seven finalists for the Intelligent Community of the Year Award. The other six finalists competing with Binh Duong for Intelligent Community of 2023 were Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil; Durham Region, Ontario, Canada; Greater Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Hilliard, Ohio, USA; and Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

More about Binh Duong Smart City, Vietnam: 2023 Intelligent Community of the Year

In the heart of Vietnam’s southeastern Binh Duong Province is a brand new city in development. Binh Duong Smart City is being created by collaboration among the Smart City Office, Becamex, the state agency overseeing the project, the academic and entrepreneurial sector and the Standing and the Peoples’ Committees of the government, working together to develop a modern, environmentally friendly city that will someday be home to one million Vietnamese. The new city already includes Eastern International University, a world-class academic institution, as well as six industrial parks. Binh Duong Smart City has worked tirelessly, assisted by ideas such as the “triple helix” collaboration method from ICF alumnus Eindhoven, the 2011 Intelligent Community of the Year, to transform a traditionally agrarian, low-population area into a core of Vietnam’s Southern Key Economic Zone.

Binh Duong Smart City is home to a growing number of Techlabs and Fablabs located in schools, universities and vocational colleges around the region. Binh Duong’s Techlabs focus on lighting, mechanical-electrical, robotics and intelligent systems, power electronics and data analytics. Eastern University also hosts the Becamex Fablab, offering workspace and equipment for 3D printing, 3D scanning, laser cutting and laser engraving, as well as the region’s first business incubator. The university works with local businesses on curricula that equip students with the skills to work in the local economy.

Agriculture continues to be important to the region. The city’s projects include the extension of Wi-Fi connectivity to farmlands and training for local farmers on using it to research prices and learn the latest models for productive agriculture. Read more about Binh Duong Smart City.

About Intelligent Community Forum (ICF)
The Intelligent Community Forum (www.intelligentcommunity.org), headquartered in New York, is a global network of 197 cities, metro regions and counties. ICF has developed a unique economic development framework called the Community Accelerator Strategy, based on its work with over 200 communities around the world, and offers training, consulting, community certification and international awards. Implementing the Accelerator Strategy guides cities and regions in adapting to to the demands of this digital century and create a triple “win” of inclusive economic prosperity that strengthens social connection and supports a rich and meaningful culture. ICF sponsors Institutes in North America dedicated to providing education and support to their regions, and national organizations in Canada and Taiwan, both home to many Intelligent Communities. In 2012 ICF was invited to participate at the Nobel Peace Prize conference in Oslo and in 2014, its model and work was recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which, according to the American government, was "aimed at creating a more flexible and responsive system of workforce development to meet the needs of employers looking to fill 21st century jobs.” For more information, go to www.intelligentcommunity.org/icf_membership. For more details on the Intelligent Community Forum’s recent publications and programs, www.intelligentcommunity.org.

Contact:
Matthew Owen, Director of Operations, Intelligent Community Forum
Tel. +1 646-291-6166 (x105)
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @Newcommunities

Victoria Krisman, Communications Manager, Intelligent Community Forum
Email: [email protected]