Intelligent and Investment-Ready

The Economic Transformation of Vietnam

Main Conference Dates: 2-3 December 2025

1 December: Welcoming Dinner for International Attendees
4 December: HASI Opening Ceremony and Binh Duong Ward Site Visits

 

Vietnam is undertaking one of the most ambitious economic transformations in the world: to evolve its successful agricultural and manufacturing economy into a knowledge-based, innovation-driven engine of growth. The model for that change lies in southern Vietnam near Ho Chi Minh City: Binh Duong Ward, ICF’s 2023 Intelligent Community of the Year and an ICF Certified Intelligent Community. 

At “Intelligent and Investment Ready,” attendees will see first-hand how the progress of Binh Duong as an Intelligent Community is one part of a national program of investment attraction and innovation, accompanied by an historic reorganization of municipal and provincial governments. Through conference sessions, social events and meetings, attendees will make connections, identify opportunities and update their understanding of best practices in economic and community development.

The Summit will also introduce the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2025 and showcase their application of the Community Accelerator Strategy. On the final evening of the Summit, one of the Top7 will be named the Intelligent Community of the Year for 2025, succeeding Curitiba, Brazil. 

The 2025 ICF Global Summit is hosted by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and organized by the Intelligent Community Forum in partnership with Becamex IDC Group and the World Trade Center Binh Duong New City.

In addition to the Summit, ICF Canada has organized a VIP Delegation with a comprehensive program taking place from 1 December to 6 December, including a visit to Ho Chi Minh City.

 

 

Summit Agenda

2 December - "Accelerate to Intelligent Community"

The first day of the Summit will provide attendees with the opportunity to take a deep dive into the Community Accelerator Strategy, as well as provide a look into the world's Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2025.

The agenda will also feature panel discussions on community leadership and turning plans into action, as well as the Top7 Presentations: a series of 15-minute presentations delivered by representatives from the Top7 Communities of 2025. In these short spotlight presentations, attendees will learn a bit about each of the Top7's intelligent community journeys, and will take home insights from some of the world's most impressive examples of the Community Accelerator Strategy in action.

In the evening, attendees will join the Top7 Reception, networking event celebrating the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2025.

09:00 - 09:45: Welcome Remarks

Speakers include:

• Mr. Lam Dinh Thang, Director, Department of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City
• John Jung, Chairman, Intelligent Community Forum (ICF)
• Robert Bell, Co-founder, Intelligent Community Forum (ICF)
• Representative of Becamex
  

09:45 - 10:00: Top7 Presentation: Assai, Paraná, Brazil

Founded in 1920 by Japanese immigrants, Assaí originally prospered as the “white gold capital” of cotton production. But as agricultural production shifted elsewhere, the city diversified its economy and developed a workforce ready for new industries. In 2022, it enacted a strategic plan to attract investment from multinational companies, leading to partnerships with over 90 firms and making Assaí the first CityLab in Brazil. These partnerships led to high-quality fiber and wireless connectivity, which powered another initiative called City Points SUNFLOWER. This program rewards users with cashback and retail discounts that encourage citizens to recycle, use renewable energy, and vaccinate against diseases. The same idea has been applied to education through “gamification” which motivates students and prepares their community for the future. Learn more >>>

Presented by:

• Igor Lima Freire Oliveira, Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation, City of Assaí, Paraná, Brazil

10:00 - 10:15: Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Turkiye

The first ever Top7 community from Türkiye, Bursa stands as a city where the echoes of history harmonize with the rhythms of modernity. By deploying citywide free Wi-Fi, real-time surveillance systems, smart lighting, and interactive urban furniture, Bursa has significantly enhanced digital connectivity and public services. The city has built a powerful innovation ecosystem through initiatives like the B-CUBE Smart City and Innovation Centre and the Bursa Model Factory, which foster entrepreneurship, technological advancement, and Industry 4.0 adoption. Bursa also champions inclusive governance through participatory programs such as the “Mayor is Here” initiative and the Strategic Plan Survey, ensuring that residents actively shape the city’s future. Learn more >>>

Presented by:

• Mayor Mustafa BOZBEY, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Türkiye

 

10:15 - 10:30: Coffee & Networking Break

 

10:30 - 11:30: Economic Developers Roundtable: Digital Economy

Economic Development officials from Intelligent Communities discuss issues facing their communities, and how they attract investment in the age of the digital economy.

Speakers include:

• Alison Burgess, Director, Communications and Engagement, Regional Municipality of Durham, Canada
• Donna Gillespie, CEO, Kingston Economic Development Corporation, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
• Joost Helms, Director, Eindhoven International Project Office
• David Meadows, Economic Development Director, Hilliard, Ohio, USA
• John Jung, Co-Founder, Intelligent Community Forum; Toronto, ON, Canada (Moderator)

                

 

11:30 - 11:45: Top7 Presentation: Durham Region, Ontario, Canada

This regional municipality provides shared services and program coordination to eight local governments in Ontario, Canada – a diverse group with economic sectors ranging from agriculture to automotive manufacturing and clean energy. It has completed the first phase of Project Genesis, a 700-kilometer fiber network targeting more than 1,800 households in underserved rural areas. A regional program is helping hundreds of low-income families every year access Canada’s financial assistance programs for post-secondary education. Senior citizen centers provide low-cost tech training to thousands of older residents. In March, it made headlines with the successful delivery of the third generation of the CityROVER A.I. system, which was developed by Visual Defence in collaboration with the Durham Region and the Ontario Government. Durham Region’s use of CityROVER A.I. for pothole detection is just one of the many examples of its Intelligent Community practices. Learn more >>>

Representing Durham Region at the Summit will be:

• Alison Burgess, Director Communications and Engagement Durham Region, Ontario, Canada
• Amanda Hobin, Policy Advisor, Community Relations, Communications and Engagement Division, Region of Durham, Ontario, Canada

   

 

 

11:45 - 13:30: Lunch & Networking Break

13:30 - 13:45: Top7 Presentation: Hilliard, Ohio, USA

This city of 38,000 in the metropolitan region of Columbus is a model of small-city innovation and growth on a technology foundation. In just a few years, its municipal dark-fiber network has attracted many service providers, while connecting companies, schools, and city buildings, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. Its partnership with Amazon Web Services brings technology and business education into schools, while the city and its partners have launched more than a dozen apprenticeship programs in technology, healthcare, and IT. The Hilliard City Lab is guiding high-tech companies to prototype new technologies, including an automated drone network to support first responders, which NASA, the US Air Force, and other government agencies expect to become a national template. In May, the city opened an A.I. Sandbox, allowing Hilliard businesses to test artificial intelligence concepts and products without exhausting their budgets. The city’s achievements have not gone unnoticed - in March, Hilliard was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Economic Development Companies for 2025.

Representing Hilliard at the Summit will be:

• David Meadows, Economic Development Director, Hilliard, Ohio, USA

 

13:45 - 14:00: Top7 Presentation: Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Kingston has evolved from its historic role as Canada’s first capital and a key military post into a thriving hub of innovation, sustainability, and cultural vitality. Strategically located at the meeting point of major waterways and within reach of major cities, the city leverages its rich heritage, vibrant arts scene, and one of the nation’s most educated workforces to build a dynamic, future-ready economy. Home to Queen’s University, St. Lawrence College, and leading research institutions, Kingston fosters the commercialization of green technologies and life sciences while supporting a burgeoning startup ecosystem ranked Canada’s best among small cities. With investments in open-access broadband, cleantech, and cultural development through the Kingston Culture Plan, the city has also prioritized inclusivity, sustainability, and quality of life. Kingston’s Integrated Economic Development Strategy focuses on sustainable manufacturing, health innovation, and creative industries, transforming the city into a resilient, connected, and forward-thinking community. Learn more >>>

Representing Kingston at the Summit will be:

• Donna Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer, Kingston Economic Development Corporation

14:00 - 15:15: Panel Session: Talk Less; Implement More: Accelerating Innovation

Planning and stating intentions are good, but progress comes from concrete action and implementation. This panel focuses on how communities can get out of the planning phase and take real, actionable steps towards becoming intelligent.

Speakers include:

• Ming-Yueh Lee, Director of the Planning Department, Yunlin County Government, Taiwan
• Doug McCollough, CEO, The Beta District, Ohio, USA
  
• Seth Miller, President, Advocacy and Administration Member, Board of Directors and Executive Council, Cambridge Investment Research, Iowa, USA
• Maurice Olivers, Public Relations Director, Brightlands Circular Space, Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands
• Demet Sinmez, Smart City Project Development Specialist, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Türkiye
• Rob McCann, President, Hamilton Technology Centre (Moderator)

                      

 

15:15 - 15:30: Top7 Presentation: Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain

Las Rozas has leveraged its high-income, business-friendly environment and strategic proximity to Madrid to foster innovation, sustainability, and inclusive digital transformation. Through Las Rozas Inova, the city has developed a dynamic innovation ecosystem that supports startups, public-private technology pilots, and the digital evolution of local businesses. Its multi-level workforce development strategy equips residents with advanced digital and entrepreneurial skills, while programs like Emprende and municipal bootcamps create real employment pathways. Near-total broadband adoption has allowed the city to deploy smart commercial Wi-Fi zones and data-driven promotional tools, with a special focus on supporting pandemic-impacted retailers. With initiatives like carbon-reducing rideshare programs, automated waste collection, solar-powered buildings, and smart irrigation, Las Rozas is pairing economic dynamism with sustainable urban living – proving that even communities in a capital region can innovate boldly on their own terms. Learn more >>>

Representing Las Rozas de Madrid at the Summit will be:

• Jaime Santamarta Martínez, City Councillor for Environmental, Urban Services, Smart City & Transport, Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain
• Alejandro Saldaña González, Technical Advisor, Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain

     

 

15:30 - 16:00: Coffee & Networking Break

16:00 - 16:15: Top7 Presentation: Fairfield/Jefferson County, Iowa, USA

Once known primarily for its spiritual roots, Fairfield/Jefferson County has evolved into a dynamic hub dubbed “Silicorn Valley,” boasting nearly six times more small businesses per 100 people than the average for US cities. Its widespread broadband adoption, supported by local ISPs and federal grants, connects over 90% of households and is expanding into surrounding rural areas. The city has made a strong commitment to talent development through initiatives like the Portrait of a Graduate program and involvement in multiple programs at Maharishi International University, whose top-five-ranked computer science program draws global talent. Fairfield fosters startups through CoLab and supports established firms via the FEDA Business Park, while also investing in quality of life through arts venues, nonprofit childcare, and green energy leadership, including one of the nation’s most advanced solar power systems. Learn more >>>

Representing Fairfield/Jefferson County at the Summit will be:

• Marg Dwyer, Co-Chair; Interim Chair Southeast Iowa Sierra Club, USA
• Nahom Abegaze, Director, Maharishi Intl. Univ., Fairfield, Iowa, USA

   

16:15 - 17:30: Workshop Session: Where do we begin?

ICF’s Robert Bell and BABLE’s Tamlyn Shimizu, along with one representative of each Top7, join the stage for an open discussion with the audience participation reviewing ideas that inspired them, and what they took away from the day’s sessions.

Speakers include:

• Igor Lima Freire Oliveira, Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation, City of Assaí, Paraná, Brazil
• Peng-Sang Cau, Siemens Digital Industries Software, Director of Siemens for Startups DI SW, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
• Nahom Abegaze, Director, Maharishi Intl. Univ., Fairfield, Iowa, USA
• Amanda Hobin, Policy Advisor, Community Relations, Communications and Engagement Division, Region of Durham, Ontario, Canada
• Nancy Richison, Principle, Nancy Richison Communications Consulting; Hilliard, Ohio, USA
• Alejandro Saldaña González, Technical Advisor, Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain
• Demet Sinmez, Smart City Project Development Specialist, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Türkiye
• Gülden ÇOLAKOĞLU, Smart City Project Specialist, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Türkiye
• Robert Bell, Co-Founder, Intelligent Community Forum (Moderator)
• Tamlyn Shimizu, Global Partnerships & Communications Lead, BABLE Smart Cities (Moderator)
  
  

       

        

 

17:30: Closing Remarks & Invitation to the Top7 Reception

 

2 December - The Top7 Reception (Evening Event)

On the evening of 2 December, international delegates and VIPs will be invited to the 2025 Top7 Reception. This exclusive networking event will be an evening of celebration for the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2025, and will provide attendees the chance to develop relationships with the full range of attendees from multiple cities and nations. The program will feature the presentation of the Top7 Awards, as well as addresses from representatives of ICF, Becamex, and other VIPs.

Agenda includes:

• Welcome remarks from leaders of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee / Becamex Group
• Remarks from ICF leadership: John Jung & Robert Bell
• Celebration of the Top7 ICF 2025
• Group photo session with the Top7 delegations

 

3 December - "Driving Growth in Technology, Logistics and Sustainable Urbanism"

As we near the announcement of the 2025 Intelligent Community of the Year, the second day of the Summit will begin with a formal opening ceremony before heading into a day filled with panels and presentations.

In the evening, attendees will join the Intelligent Community Awards Dinner, featuring the announcement of one of the Top7 Intelligent Communities becoming the 2025 Intelligent Community of the Year.

 

09:00 - 09:55: Opening Ceremony

A grand opening ceremony celebrating the event and the forthcoming announcement of a new Intelligent Community of the Year.

Agenda includes:

• Leaders from the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee
• Leaders from ICF
• Leaders from Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology
• Leaders from Becamex Group
  

09:55 - 10:15: Keynote Presentation: Strategy to Accelerate Community Growth

Intelligent Communities pursue economic and community development in a new way that breaks through the usual institutional barriers of local government to achieve more: a dynamic, prosperous and inclusive local economy, a strong and connected local society, and a rich and meaningful local culture.

These are the things that, together, make a great place to live, work, build a business or career and create a path for the next generation.  In our digital century, the advance of technology is both a threat to these values and an asset that Intelligent Communities put to work for the benefit of their people, businesses and institutions. But how do we set our communities on this path?

In this session, attendees will get a look into the Community Accelerator Strategy, and start to learn how they can take their Intelligent Community journey.

Delivered by Robert Bell, Co-Founder, Intelligent Community Forum. 

10:15 - 10:20: To be announced

10:20 - 10:35: Strengths and strategies of Ho Chi Minh City Post-Merger

Case study of the post-merger Ho Chi Minh City, sharing insights into the strengths and strategies of the city. 

10:35 - 10:50: Keynote: Competitive Advantages of Intelligent Communities

ICF Co-founder John Jung discusses the importance of gaining competitive advantages for economic development purposes, and how the Intelligent Community framework enables communities to develop such advantages.

10:50 - 11:05: Keynote: Digital Transformation Toward Intelligent Urban Development

Presented by Mr. Pham Tuan Anh, Director, Bình Dương Smart City Office.

11:05 - 12:05: Competitive Advantages of Ho Chi Minh City as a Mega-city Post-Merger

Administrative reforms and Vietnam’s restructuring toward 2025: Challenges and the potential for strong economic growth in Ho Chi Minh City in the future

Speakers include:

• Representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology
• Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, Chairman of Council, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (tentative)
• Dr. Truong Minh Huy Vu, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies
• Mr. Nguyen The Duy, Vice Chairman of the Board / Deputy CEO, Becamex Group
• Joost Helms, Director, Eindhoven International Project Office (Moderator)

12:05 - 14:00: Luncheon and Networking Break

14:00 - 14:15: Keynote Presentation: Intelligent to Investable

Peter Portheine, Director, Eindhoven International Project Office, delivers a keynote address about building a readiness ecosystem and the role of community branding in attracting FDI.

 

14:15 - 15:05: The Auditor Reports

In a look ahead to the announcement of the Intelligent Community of the Year, each ICF Auditor who visited the communities shares a bit of information about what they learned about the community they visited.

Speakers include:

• Discussing Assaí: Jim Stifler, Burton D. Morgan Mentor, JumpStart, Inc (via video)
• Discussing Bursa: John Jung, Co-Founder, ICF
• Discussing Durham Region: Cynthia Richmond, Former Deputy Director, Arlington Economic
• Development (via video)
• Discussing Fairfield/Jefferson County: Doug McCollough, CEO, The Beta District
• Discussing Hilliard: Wendy Dupley, Economic Development Advisor, City of Langley, BC, Canada (via video)
• Discussing Kingston: Robert Bell, Co-Founder, ICF
• Discussing Las Rozas de Madrid: Rob McCann, President, Hamilton Technology Centre
• Matthew Owen, Executive Director, ICF (Moderator)

           

               

15:05 - 15:20: Coffee/Networking Break

 

15:20 - 16:20: Panel Session: Leaders' Roundtable

A panel of mayors and leaders from current and former Smart21, Top7, and Intelligent Communities of the Year discuss the challenges and opportunities they face in their respective cities. 

Speakers include:

• Mayor Michel Angelo Bomtempo, City of Assaí, Paraná, Brazil
• Mayor Mustafa BOZBEY, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Türkiye
• Bob Ferguson, Councilor, City of Fairfield, Iowa, USA
• Dario Paixão, Presidente, Agência Curitiba de Desenvolvimento e Inovação SA
• Tamlyn Shimizu, Global Partnerships & Communications Lead, BABLE Smart Cities (Moderator)

                 

 

16:20 - 16:35: Closing Reflections: The Path to Prosperity

Robert Bell and John Jung recap the ideas presented throughout the day, closes the event leading us to the Intelligent Community Awards Dinner.

   

 

3 December - Intelligent Community Awards Dinner (Evening Event)

On the evening of 3 December will be the Intelligent Community Awards Dinner, the ICF Global Summit's highlight event. This banquet dinner will reveal which of the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2025 is named the 2025 Intelligent Community of the Year. 

Agenda includes:

• Leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee attend and present the Top 1 Award
• Remarks from ICF Leadership
• Remarks from the hosting communities of the Smart21, Top7, and ICF Summit conferences in 2026
• Announcement of the 2025 Top 1 Intelligent Community

 

4 December - HASI Opening Ceremony and Binh Duong Ward Site Visits

In the morning, Summit attendees will attend the HASI Opening Ceremony, followed by site visits to the Binh Duong Operations Center and to Eastern International University. After lunch, the program continues with site visits to industrial parks, meetings with companies, and more.