Smart expressways in Vietnam: An architectural proposal

Smart expressways represent an emerging direction in modern transportation, where digital technologies are embedded into road infrastructure to improve mobility, safety, and sustainability. By integrating advanced communication, sensing, and automation systems, they aim to meet the rising demands of urbanization and future mobility trends. Vietnam’s expressway network, though expanding, remains conventional and continues to face congestion, safety concerns, and limited readiness for digital transformation. This study evaluates how smart expressway concepts can be adapted and implemented within the nation’s socio-economic context. The research combines a review of Vietnam’s current infrastructure with an assessment of digitalization initiatives in the transport sector. It also draws on international case studies, adapting relevant lessons to identify technological opportunities—such as IoT, AI, V2X communication, and ITS—while acknowledging challenges in financing, governance, and institutional capacity. The results emphasize both the benefits of smart expressway adoption, including greater efficiency, reduced environmental impacts, and enhanced safety, and the barriers that must be addressed. The study concludes by proposing a practical roadmap and architectural framework suited to Vietnam’s developmental stage, providing strategic guidance for sustainable and future-ready mobility.