The “AIoT & Smart Cities 2019” competition kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on May 7, which enables firms to make orders for their solutions and applications in the contest.
An AI-based coffee maker at the event (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The “AIoT &Smart Cities 2019” competition kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on May 7, whichenables firms to make orders for their solutions and applications in thecontest.
The competition, organised by the QuangTrung Software Business Incubator, is designed to create a network for studentsand businesses across the nation to share trends in global science-technology,including artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT).
It also provides updates to ready the start-upcommunity ahead of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and seeks ideas to developnew products. Notably, it aims to address problems of respective businesses andorganisations in accordance with their needs.
The contest will run until October, withtotal prize money worth more than 1.2 billion VND (51,560 USD).
The winning proposals will receive supportfor incubating between six months and two years and give them access toSpeedUp, a programme supporting start-ups and innovation initiated by the HCMCity’s Department of Science and Technology.
Deputy Director of the municipal Informationand Communication Department Le Quoc Cuong said that HCM City has devised aproject on AI research and application for the 2019-2025 period to foster itsdevelopment.
He added that the competition will be aplayground for AI and IoT experts by connecting firms with educationalestablishments in the field, voicing his hope that solutions and applicationsat the contest will contribute to the city’s AI project. –VNA
Experts and business representatives all stressed the need for a strategy for the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Vietnam at a thematic workshop held in the framework of the 2019 Vietnam Economic Forum in Hanoi on January 17.
Vietnam, like many other countries, is in a bid to spur economic innovation with Artificial Intelligence (AI), but experts said the country is starting from at a low point and needs to make a huge effort to catch up with the global trend.
Giant IT-real-estate-manufacturing-retail conglomerate Vingroup on April 17 opened VinAI Research, a research institute focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) with the goal of elevating Vietnam’s role in the AI world.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
An AI-based coffee maker at the event (Photo: VNA) 
