Lao minister seeks Vietnamese tech solutions in logistics
Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith on April 24 led a delegation to FSI Investment and Trading Technology Development JSC (FSI) to explore Make in Vietnam technology solutions that could support Laos' digital transformation in the logistics sector and, consequently, propel economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
Hanoi (VNA) - Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce MalaithongKommasith on April 24 led a delegation to FSI Investment and Trading Technology DevelopmentJSC (FSI) to explore Make in Vietnam technology solutions thatcould support Laos' digital transformation in the logistics sector and,consequently, propel economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
FSI General Director Doan Huy Thuan FSI presentedthe company's extensive ecosystem, encompassing over 50 products, saying thatFSI offers digital solutions for the logistics sector with outstandingadvantages.
Vietnam and Laos share a borderline of over 2,330km with a total of 33active border gates, including 9 international, 6 main and 18 auxiliary bordergates.
Border trade plays a crucial role in bilateraleconomic relations, accounting for up to 90% of the total trade value betweenthe two nations.
Despite this strong foundation, the overalltrade turnover between Vietnam and Laos currently represents only a smallfraction of their global trade activity. Laos' total import-export volume seesVietnam contributing just 10%, while Vietnam's global trade involvementreflects minimal engagement with Laos (0.2%).
One of the key constraints hindering expansionof bilateral trade is the high cost of logistics compared to competingcountries.
ꦿ Under the bilateral trade agreement signed onApril 8, 2024, both countries agreed to adopt information technology in customsprocedures and statistics collection. This presents an effective solution to addressthe high logistics costs, potentially leading to shorter processing times,reduced business expenses, and increased transparency./.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith signed a new Vietnam-Laos trade agreement following their talks in Vientiane, Laos, on April 8.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien had a meeting in Vientiane on April 8 with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone who asked relevant ministries of the two sides to focus on seeking ways to remove difficulties facing their businesses in exporting coal and electricity, thus improving the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, and minerals in accordance with the needs and potential of each country.
A trade fair to promote trade, investment, and tourism in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand opened in Champasak province of Laos on April 10 as part of the trade, investment and tourism promotion forum in the Lao locality.
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 working session (Photo: VNA) 
