Digital Transformation in Da Nang: From Access to Youth Empowerment

From Digital City to Co-Creation: A New Model in Da Nang

Da Nang is one of Vietnam’s leading cities in digital transformation, with technology widely integrated into urban management, education, and public services. Yet digital transformation is not only about technology—it is also about who gets to participate in shaping and building these systems.

In this context, a new approach is emerging: empowering adolescents in Da Nang to become agents of change. Rather than remaining passive users of technology, young people are increasingly taking on active roles as co-creators—developing digital solutions that directly shape the services and systems affecting their own lives and communities.

Adolescents: From Users to Solution Builders

Through the activities of the Healthy Cities for Adolescents Phase II project (HCA-II) in Da Nang—funded by Botnar Foundation and managed by Ecorys—young people have progressively engaged across the entire solution development process:

• Identifying problems based on lived experiences
• Co-designing solutions
• Developing prototypes
• Presenting ideas to policymakers

Hundreds of adolescents have shared their perspectives on issues such as mental health, online risks, and digital learning. These lived experiences have helped reshape how challenges are understood—moving beyond purely technical data or adult-centric viewpoints.

“I’ve observed that mental health is becoming increasingly important in today’s fast-paced world. Through research and product development, I hope our solution can have a positive impact on my peers and society as a whole.”
— Hoang Cong Bao Long, 18, YOH 2023 and 2024

Youth On! Hackathon, U-Invent and STEM: Where Adolescents Create Real Change

Between February 2023 and February 2026, more than 900 young people participated in activities across both digital and in-person platforms (YOH, U-Invent, STEM), aimed at amplifying youth voices and co-creating solutions for adolescent health and participation. Notably, girls accounted for approximately 42% of total participants (377 out of 900)—reflecting a significant increase in female engagement in fields where they have traditionally been underrepresented.

This shift not only reflects expanding access to opportunities, but also highlights the increasingly proactive role of girls in innovation and community-driven problem-solving.

Notable solutions include:

• AI-powered learning platforms
• Mental health support applications
• Assistive tools for children with special needs
• Sign language learning solutions

Some of these ideas have moved beyond the prototype stage, demonstrating that adolescents are fully capable of developing practical, scalable solutions with real-world impact.

“Our team is VERA, and we are developing a reading motivation app. We chose this topic because we see that we are currently in a boom era of artificial intelligence (AI). AI presents not only opportunities but also challenges. That’s why we decided to create a product that leverages the strengths of AI to make reading more engaging, helping people access knowledge more easily without becoming entirely dependent on AI.”
— Gia Han, 15, VERA Team, Winner of “Most Loved Project,” YOH 2024

Youth Voices Are Shaping Systems

Adolescents participating in the HCA-II Da Nang over the period of Feb 2023 and Feb 2026 are not only creating products—they are also influencing how systems function.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, young people highlighted the limitations of online learning—not only in terms of access, but also the overall learning experience. These insights helped schools and stakeholders adjust how teaching and learning were organized.

Through platforms such as the Adolescent and Youth Advisory Group (AYAG) and Children’s Councils (CC), youth voices are increasingly being integrated into discussions on:

• Digital services
• Education
• Urban development

This shift shows that adolescents are moving from being heard to becoming influential contributors.

Building a Youth-Led Innovation Ecosystem

A key step forward has been connecting youth-led initiatives with the city’s broader innovation ecosystem.

Ideas and solutions developed by adolescents are being shared with:

• Government agencies
• Social organizations
• Private sector partners

At the same time, models such as a Youth Innovation Hub and Maker Innovation Spaces are being developed to institutionalize the role of young people as a long-term force for innovation (see further details in here).

Beyond Technology: Shaping a Generation of Active Digital Citizens

Participation in these processes not only results in tangible products, but also enables adolescents to:

• Develop critical thinking
• Strengthen problem-solving skills
• Build confidence in engaging with policymakers
• Explore career pathways in technology and innovation

More importantly, they are becoming active digital citizens—capable of shaping their own futures and contributing meaningfully to their communities.

Adolescents at the Heart of Sustainable Digital Transformation

The story in Da Nang reflects a critical shift: digital transformation is no longer just a technical process, but one of empowerment and co-creation.

In this process, adolescents are no longer on the sidelines. They are becoming:

👉 Problem definers
👉 Solution designers
👉 Change makers

Da Nang is gradually demonstrating that, when given the opportunity, adolescents are not only the future—they are a driving force for change in the present.

As the city advances its digital transformation journey, empowering young people to co-create digital solutions is improving service quality while fostering an inclusive and sustainable innovation ecosystem.

With an increasingly clear role as Agents of Change, adolescents are not only contributing ideas but actively building solutions for education, health, and urban development. This forms the foundation for Da Nang’s vision of becoming a creative, adaptive, and human-centered digital city.