Vietnam attends information society summit in Geneva
Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Pham Hong Hai has been introducing Vietnam’s policies and solutions in recent years to narrow the digital gap between urban and rural areas.
Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Pham Hong Hai (Source: mic.gov.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Inf⛦ormation and Communication Pham Hong Hai has been introducing Vietnam’s policies and solutions in recent years to narrow the digital gap between urban and rural areas, and between the rich and the poor.
Hai is joining over 1,500 delegates from 140 countries at th e World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, Switzerland, which is focusing on major trends in sustainable development, and initiatives to promote the application of IT in prioritised fields of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his speech at the session “Narrowing the digital gap”, which was part of the ongoing summit, the Vietnamese official said Vietnam has widely developed infrastructure for the i nformation and communication technology (ICT) sector , and reduced the rates of mobile services in order to facilitate low-income people’s access to information services.
He also mentioned difficulties and challenges facing Vietnam in particular and developing countries in general in the field, citing the shortcomings of infrastructure networks and the underfunding for developing ICT infrastructure works.
The deputy minister called on international organisations and countries to support Vietnam in the field.
In a video message at the opening of the summit on May 3, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon underlined the important role played by ICT in implementing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development , affirming that ICTs are the drivers of the global economy.
“They have revolutionised how we communicate, interact socially and do business,” he stressed.
ICTs also provide innovative solutions to combating climate change, improving health care and education, and empowering women and the vulnerable, he added, highlighting that ICTs will be critical to implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Ban Ki-moon urged participants to continue working to ensure universal access to a more open information society.
As part of the summit, round-table conferences and dialogues were arranged, promoting the sharing of information and experience among participants in the field.-VNA
Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on building an e-government in the central city of Da Nang on November 13.
Vietnamese individuals and organisations, inside and outside the country, have been invited to take part in a contest on developing applications for mobile devices.
The Vietnam e-Business Index (EBI) 2015 report has revealed great disparity in e-commerce development among localities, particularly in big cities including Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.
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.
Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Pham Hong Hai (Source: mic.gov.vn)
