Technological progress produces mixed results in rural areas
Urban technological progress raises the competitive advantage of urban firms over rural firms in product market competition, and can lead to a brain drain in rural areas, Oudom Hean of Ohio State University in the US said at a recent conference in Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam’s Business & Economics Research Conference 2019 is the premier Vietnamese conference for academics, policymakers, practitioners and postgraduate students. (Photo courtesy of HCM City Open University)
HCMCity (VNS/VNA) - Urban technological progress raises thecompetitive advantage of urban firms over rural firms in product marketcompetition, and can lead to a brain drain in ruralareas, Oudom Hean of Ohio State University in the US said at a recentconference in Ho Chi Minh City.
Speaking at the Vietnam’s Business & Economics Research Conference2019 held on July 18-20, Hean explained that technological progress in bothurban and rural areas increases productivity and leads to higherwages.
However, according to Hean, such progress has a mixed impact on ruralareas. “Progress in urban technology also exerts an ambiguous effect,a brain drain, on the rural labour market."
The innovative urban region offers higher wages, leading to out-migration fromthe rural region, and out-migration leads to lower rural human capital andreduced unemployment for rural workers.
Without fully accounting for these adverse effects, policies aimed atincreasing regional employment by technological advancement might haveundesirable outcomes.
Policymakers need to consider these effects carefully to avoid unintendedconsequences.
Vo Thanh Tam of the University of Economics in HCM City said that Industry4.0 was gaining pace in the city and country. However, the workforce,especially in manufacturing, still had limitations in qualifications andskills, and was unable to keep up with new trends.
Research by Tam and his colleague has shown that employees' cognitive,social and behavioural skills are very important for employers, butmany employees in the country lack this skill set.
The three-day conference is also featuring research in finance,corporate governance, labour economics, foreign direct investmentand trade, energy economics and others.
Research works are conducted by scholars from domestic and foreignuniversities, research centres and departments.- VNS/VNA
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Biogas digesters have provided a valuable source of environmentally friendly energy for cooking and other uses of those living in rural areas in Vietnam.
The settlement of issues regarding agriculture, farmers and rural areas is an important political task of the entire Party and people until 2020 and the years beyond, said a Party official.
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has asked agencies to enhance linkages between cities and provinces nationwide and other countries to form a global network for the OCOP programme.
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.
Vietnam’s Business & Economics Research Conference 2019 is the premier Vietnamese conference for academics, policymakers, practitioners and postgraduate students. (Photo courtesy of HCM City Open University) 
