At the press conference (Photo: thoibaonganhang.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) - The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)announced a series of events focusing on digital transformation in the bankingsector, scheduled for May 8 in Hanoi.
This initiative aligns with thegoals of the National Digital Transformation Programme until 2025, with a vision to2030, aiming to propel Vietnam towards a digital economy and society,said Director General of the SBV’s Payment Department Pham AnhTuan at a press conference in Hanoi on April 25.
A thematic seminar will be heldfor the first time, featuring presentations by leading financial and technologyexperts from giants such as Google, IBM, Fidelity,SAP, which will be a significant highlight.
Attendees can also explore 16exhibition booths showcasing the latest products, services and technologies frombanks, payment intermediaries and technology companies.
From 2020-2022, the SBVconsistently ranked high among ministries and agencies in the digital institutionalindex.
As of now, about 77.41% ofVietnamese adults have bank accounts, with over 35 million payment accounts andabout 14.9 million cards opened through the electronic Know Your Customer(eKYC) method currently operational.
The year 2023 saw a surge inmobile payment transactions, with a 59.86% increase in volume and a 12.73%increase in value. QR code payments also experienced explosive growth, with a 242.46%increase in volume and a 157.2% rise in value compared to the previous year.
♍ The first two months of this yearrecorded significant year-on-year growth in non-cash payment and digital bankingactivities, with non-cash payment transactions rising by 59.6% involume and 32.73% in value. Internet banking transactions also saw impressivegrowth, increasing by 51.60% in volume and 23.88% in value. Mobile bankingtransactions followed suit, surging by 63.24% in volume and 33.43% in value. QRcode payments continued their dominance, with a phenomenal 846.41% increase involume and a staggering 1,146.14% increase in value./.
The Vietnam Digital Awards 2024 was launched by the Vietnam Digital Communications Association (VDCA) and VietTimes Magazine in Hanoi on April 16 with a view to fostering the development of the digital government, digital economy and digital society.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chairman of the National Committee for Digital Transformation, has signed a decision to issue the committee’s work plan in 2024, aiming to speed up national digital transformation in an effective and practical manner, creating breakthroughs in the country's socio-economic development and contributing to completing all socio-economic targets for 2024 and the 2021-2025 period.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 23 proposed breakthrough orientations to make ASEAN a model in digital transformation globally, while co-chairing a business roundtable with his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone in Hanoi.
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.
At the press conference (Photo: thoibaonganhang.vn) 
