It appears that Vietnam is best placed to become Southeast Asia’s Silicon Valley while most members of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) have ambitions of developing competitive technology sectors, “Asia Correspondent” said in a recent article.
Vietnamese workers at a Samsung's factory in Thai Nguyen province. (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Itappears that Vietnam is best placed to become Southeast Asia’s Silicon Valley whilemost members of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) have ambitions of developingcompetitive technology sectors, “Asia Correspondent” said in a recent article.
According to the article, Vietnam’sadvantages came from its successful education policies, government support andan environment of entrepreneurial-ism.
Vietnam is also benefiting fromfunding and government policies designed to support the country to become aregional hub for technology and innovation.
An example of this is the ambitious“Silicon Valley Project”, a plan sponsored by the Ministry of Science andTechnology, which aims to transform the country into a major player in thedigital economy.
The article also quoted Google’s chief executive,Sundar Pichai, during his trip to Vietnam last year, as saying that Vietnamwould soon become one of Google’s most important markets. The Google chiefexecutive also pledged to train 1,400 IT engineers for Vietnam.
Vietnam’s appeal is bolstered by its tech-savvyworkforce, which is cheaper than China’s and more productive than that of othercountries in the AEC. Initially, the country had emerged as a production centerfor the Republic of Korean and Japanese electronics groups such as Samsung, LGElectronics, Panasonic and Toshiba, which have had factories in Vietnam fordecades.
However, the focus is now on transitioning frombeing a top producer of electronic components to becoming a center forresearch, innovation and development, it added.-VNA
A network of thousands of outstanding Vietnamese individuals living in foreign countries world-wide, is expected to be set up following a project newly kicked off by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) on January 16 launched the Sao Khue Awards in 2017 under the sponsor of the Ministry of Information and Communications.
The three telecommunication groups under direct management of the Information and Communications Ministry (MIC) will have to develop their equitisation plans in 2017, according to Minister Truong Minh Tuan.
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.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
Vietnam views sci-tech as a decisive factor in national development and a key tool for achieving sustainable development goals, and is ready to boost sci-tech cooperation with Venezuela for mutual prosperity.
Vietnamese workers at a Samsung's factory in Thai Nguyen province. (Source: VNA) 
