Vietnam’s GDP growth came in at 7.83 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, building on the strong 8.02 per cent result in 2025 as a whole and placing the country among the region’s most dynamic economies. Alongside rapid urbanization and rising incomes, demand for transportation that is convenient, safe, and efficient has increased sharply. AI is raising expectations of a fundamental transformation in Vietnam’s transportation, logistics, and urban systems. At the “Mobility, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Society: Strengthening the Future of Transportation in Vietnam” workshop, co-hosted by the Vietnam Economic Association (VEA), Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy, and the Tech for Good Institute (TFGI), in coordination with the Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (IPSS), experts argued that the greatest challenge is no longer technology itself but rather the ability to integrate data, expand energy infrastructure, and prepare a workforce capable of adapting to an entirely new transportation landscape. Data comes first In every smart transportation system, from traffic signal optimization and freight management to urban planning and emissions control, data forms the operational foundation. Mr. Truong Manh Tuan, Deputy Head of the Environmental Quality Management Division at the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said transportation remains one of the largest sources of emissions in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, alongside construction and industrial activities. Air pollution in large urban centers has persisted for years and exceeded regulatory thresholds over extended periods. As a result, resolving urban environmental problems requires comprehensive rather than piecemeal approaches, with transportation emissions control playing a central role. Under the current roadmap, Vietnam has begun tightening emissions standards for motor vehicles. Notably, mandatory motorcycle emissions inspections are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2027. However, according to Mr. Tuan, the objective