First priority in the collaboration between Da Nang and IBM in the near future will be given to transport. This was the agreement reached between the Chairman of Da Nang People’s Committee, Mr Van Huu Chien, and IBM Viet Nam during a recent visit to Da Nang by a delegation from the company which was led by its Vice Director General, Mr Thieu Phuong Nam.

The cooperative programme will involve the preparation of a plan and the operation of a smarter transport system, which will help Da Nang to become a smarter and more liveable city in the region.

Chairman Chien also emphasised the immediate necessity to upgrade the city’s newly-established Centre for Controlling Traffic Lights and Public Transport Systems to make it as modern as other centres in advanced countries.

Da Nang is one of 33 cities worldwide to receive IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge grants in 2012. The Smarter Cities Challenge, launched in 2011 and valued at 50 million USD, is considered to be IBM's largest philanthropic initiative. Over three years, IBM’s leading experts will work with 100 cities around the world and give them detailed recommendations to address key urban issues.