Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese agencies,businesses and organisations are constantly innovating and experimenting withthe latest technologies, making every effort to keep themselves up-to-date, andexploring different solutions including e-government, digital economy or onlineconsumption.

Pham Hong Hai, Deputy Minister ofInformation and Communications, made the statement at the Vietnam InternetForum 2017, which was held in Hanoi on November 27.

Vietnamese authorities would always promote the openness, transparency and easeof information access to everyone, he said, adding that the internet had playedan important role in propelling Vietnam’s progress over the last 20 years.

Vietnam has a higher than world average internet connectivitywith 50 million users, or 54 percent of the population, said Swedish ambassadorPereric Högberg.

“In terms of internet connectivity and development, Vietnam isone of the forefront countries in Southeast Asia, with rapid mobility andgrowth, there is a high possibility in the country of bringing togethernetworks and entrepreneurs from different fields such as media, IT, or science.

“Vietnam is really taking advantage of all these wonderfulexisting opportunities,’ Högberg said.

Hai warned that besides the tremendous benefits, the worldwas increasingly concerned about the downside of greater connectivity, likeinformation security breeches, as well as harmful cultural and social impacts.

He noted that in the EU, “not only do they keep a tight watchon telecommunications networks and social network service providers, the blochas also promulgated regulations, accompanied by strict sanctions, to preventpeople from using social networks to spread fake and undermining news.’

He went on to say that even developed countries wereregulating internet usage to limit negative impacts, protect privacy andprevent vandalism and terrorism, and that Vietnam has long practiced suchsafeguards.

Vu The Binh, Deputy Chairman and General Secretary of theVietnam Internet Association, also spoke of the great benefits and risksbrought by rapid internet development.

“The presence of the internet in Vietnam during the past 20years has instated reliable technological and information infrastructures inevery aspect of daily life, both socially and economically,’ said he.

He said the internet’s positive impacts were the creation ofa series of business innovations and new economic modalities, not to mentionhelping public agencies become more open, transparent and accountable.

Akiko Fujii, Deputy Country Director of the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP), said the role of technology and digitalbusinesses was particularly important in ensuring the interests of the people.

She said the internet was a crucial component of the fourthindustrial revolution (Industry 4.0), especially for businesses, alongside itsrole in promoting freedom of expression and facilitating the exchange of ideasonline.

Themed "Digital for Good," the forum focused on theinternet as a means of providing information, generating digital solutions andopening up opportunities for socioeconomic development.

Key issues discussed included e-Government, Open Data, SmartCities, and Social Media.

Organisers said that with its diverse content andmulti-dimensional forms of interaction, the forum would contribute to internetdevelopment in Vietnam over the next five to ten years.

They said the forum aims to an annual platform forinter-sectoral discussions and interaction where government officials, civilsociety, academia, business leaders, social entrepreneurs and investors andother stakeholders can come together and discuss ways to achieve an open,sustainable and creative society.-VNA