As part of the Ministry of Construction's working visit to Australia, on the morning of 24th July 2026 in Melbourne, Deputy Minister of Construction Pham Minh Ha and the Ministry's delegation held a working session with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) of the State of Victoria to exchange experience on data management, digital transformation, spatial data, and the application of digital technologies in transport management, planning, and infrastructure development.
The delegation was received by Mr. Matthew Barber, Executive Director of Spatial Services and Planning; Ms. Alicia Dole, Executive Director of Data and Analytics; Mr. Duncan Lamont, Director of Open Data; Mr. David Nguyen, Director, Data Engineering and Data Modelling; Ms. Alend Moison, Director of Vicmap; along with other officials from the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
During the meeting, Mr. Matthew Barber introduced the Department's data transformation following the merger of several related agencies in 2019. As part of this transformation, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has focused on establishing a unified data governance and analytics model, with priority given to integrating data sources, standardizing processes, and consolidating digital platforms to enable coordinated management of the state's transport and planning systems. DTP regards data and digital transformation as key drivers of productivity, supporting policymaking and data-driven decision-making.
Deputy Minister Pham Minh Ha worked with the Department of Transport and Planning of the State of Victoria.
One of the key topics presented during the meeting was Victoria's Open Data Portal. Mr. Duncan Lamont explained that the portal has been developed to provide consistent, reliable, and high-quality datasets, while establishing a robust data governance framework that clearly defines data ownership, data standards, and update cycles. The portal serves a wide range of users, including government agencies, businesses, application developers, and the community.
Ms. Alicia Dole also introduced Victoria's spatial data system. She noted that the Big Map platform currently manages more than 600 standardized and unified spatial data layers. These spatial datasets are integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) to support advanced analysis and the creation of new information layers, including updating vegetation data for wildfire risk assessment.
In addition, DTP introduced the Digital Twin Victoria platform, which provides two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), and real-time spatial data to support planning, infrastructure management, and climate change resilience. Representatives of the Department also shared their experience in applying imagery data and 3D laser scanning (LiDAR) technology to urban planning, heritage conservation, and environmental impact assessment. They also highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance data sharing with government agencies and partners to support the development of new digital applications and services.
During the discussion, the two sides exchanged the challenges of data management, including the integration of multiple databases, ensuring data interoperability across different sectors, and enhancing users' ability to independently access and utilize data through online portals in order to reduce costs and shorten processing times. The Ministry of Construction delegation also explored the balance of resources between investing in new infrastructure development and maintaining existing systems, as well as the role of data in supporting policy making and resource allocation.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Pham Minh Ha expressed his appreciation to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) for sharing its practical experience in data governance, the development of open data portals, spatial data management, and the application of artificial intelligence in the transport and planning sectors.
Ha noted that the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam is focusing on developing sector-specific databases, digital platforms, and strengthening data-driven governance and operation. He also emphasized that DTP's experience in data standardization, data governance, open data development, and the implementation of Digital Twin technologies will be valuable reference for the Ministry of Construction in implementing digital transformation and building a sectoral data system.
Source: International Cooperation Department - Translated by: M.A