Hitachi in Viet Nam: Smart City - The urgent solution for a better world The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed lives and economies around the globe, requiring governments to seek new urban management technologies and solutions to address the current crisis as well as promote economic growth in the post-pandemic period. One of the initiatives taken is the implementation of smart cities.[1] The pandemic has shown the importance of smart cities where digital technology will help facilitate remote work and conduct financial transactions, which is crucial to keeping urban economies running. In Southeast Asia, smart cities will play an increasingly important role in generating economic growth and tackling complex urban challenges. According to a report by McKinsey Global Institute[2], smart cities are expected to create 1.2 million - 1.5 million new jobs, prevent 260,000-270,000 kilotrons greenhouse gas emissions, and save somewhere between US$9-16 billion living expenses across ASEAN.