Vietnam commits to national, regional digital transformation
As co-host of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital World 2021, Vietnam has marked 50 years of ITU Telecom events and aims for inclusive tech-driven prosperity.
Geneva(VNA) - As co-host of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital World2021, Vietnam has marked 50 years of ITU Telecom events and aims for inclusivetech-driven prosperity.
Previously known as ITU Telecom World, the event changed its name to ITU Digital World under the initiative of the Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications.
An ITU press release on October 12 quoted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as saying that Vietnamseeks to stimulate trade, build skills, and strengthen Southeast Asianeconomies in line with sustainable development through digital transformation.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (middle) at the launching ceremony of the ITU Telecom World 2021 (Photo: VNA)
ITUSecretary-General Houlin Zhao asserted the need for public-private cooperationto extend digital benefits worldwide. He urged governments and industryeverywhere to ensure connectivity for the estimated 3.7 billion people whostill lack it.
“Over the last half-century, ITU Telecom events have supported marvelousinnovation," Zhao recalled. “They have provided a window into an industrythat has been at the heart of life-changing advances in ICT, from the advent ofthe Internet to the powerful rise of wireless networks and emergingtechnologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, and others."
Vietnam's national digital transformation plan aims toharness private domestic entrepreneurship in tandem with efficiente-government. Hosting Telecom parallels the country's ambitions for rapid,inclusive digital transformation that can illuminate viable socio-economicdevelopment options for the whole ten-member Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN).
“From now until December, we invite public and private sector leaders to shareexperiences and expectations in the virtual sessions provided by this latestevent in the 50-year-old Telecom series, ITU Digital World 2021," statedZhao.
This year, it is expected to drawabout 20,000 visitors, 50 ICT ministers and leaders of major ICT firms in theworld./.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital World 2021, a global digital conference and exhibition, will be held virtually from October 12-14, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC).
The opening ceremony of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital World 2021 will take place on October 12 evening with the participation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Vietnam has made progresses in development of information and communication technology (ICT), especially the creativity of applications that Vietnam is developing, said General Secretary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Zhao Houlin.
Digital transformation to build a digital world is not the business of a single country, organisation or individual but a global matter that requires a global approach and contributions, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the virtual ministerial roundtable in the framework of the ITU Digital World 2021 on October 12.
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.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (middle) at the launching ceremony of the ITU Telecom World 2021 (Photo: VNA) 
