Forum spotlights business development in digital age
Telecom and Internet providers in Vietnam have recorded 6.1 billion USD in revenue and created more than 851,000 jobs, as heard at a forum on enterprises in digital age held in Hanoi on May 17.
Hanoi (VNA) – Telecom and Internetproviders in Vietnam have recorded 6.1 billion USD in revenue and created morethan 851,000 jobs, as heard at a forum on enterprises in digital age held in Hanoion May 17.
The forum took place in conjunction withthe announcement of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)’sannual report on Vietnam business for 2017/2018.
As heard at the forum, IT and telecomsector’s production value contributed over 0.7 percent to the nation’s GDP onaverage. In 2016, the number of IT/telecom businesses surpassed 11,000,accounting for 2.2 percent of Vietnam’s total figure.
Apart from the application of advancedtechnologies in traditional sectors, the digital age has given birth to anumber of non-traditional business models in Vietnam, like online car hailingand financial technology (fintech) services.
Expert said fast changes of these newmodels have sometimes left legal regulations behind, thus causing difficultiesfor their providers and benefit conflicts between them and their traditionalpeers.
VCCI Chairman Vu Tien Loc said last year,the Prime Minister issued Decree 16 on capacity building for the 4.0 industrialrevolution.
He said the decree put forth key measureson IT infrastructure development, and prioritised the building of digitalindustry, smart agriculture, and smart cities.
He noted companies ought to design their relevantaction plans and join the public sector’s efforts in building strategies forsmart governance and innovation.
Loc also acknowledged achievement of thebusiness sector last year, with the establishment of 126,859 new firms, thehighest number recorded to date.
Pham Thi Thu Hang, head of the VietnamBusiness Insight Survey – a VCCI initiative, said the year saw improvements inthe private sector, but the trend of smaller-scale firms persisted and the rateof performance failure among small scale businesses remained high.-VNA
All Vietnamese citizens now can participate in spreading knowledge conveniently and effectively thanks to the “Digital Vietnamese knowledge system” project which was launched in Hanoi on January 1 morning.
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has, in coordination with ministries, sectors and agencies, carried out various activities so far this year to push administrative procedure reform, creating a supportive environment for business operation and startups.
A workshop on Cross-border Data Flows took place in Hanoi on May 3 to discuss the importance of data access and sharing and the need to develop a legal framework on data management to boost the growth of digital economy.
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has made great efforts in cooperating with international organisations and foreign embassies in Vietnam to promote partnership between Vietnamese and foreign partners.
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.
Scene at the event (Photo: VNA) 
