Officials mark the launch of the 5G network in Soc Trang province on April 24. (Photo: VNA)
SocTrang (VNA) – A 5G network and an intelligent operations centre (IOC)were unveiled in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang on April 24.
HoThi Cam Dao, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the provincial Party Committee, saiddespite many difficulties, Soc Trang has taken steps to build ane-administration.
Itexpects that by 2030, the province will have fundamentally and comprehensivelyreformed management and governance activities so that the local administration canoperate more efficiently, effectively, and transparently, the local economy candevelop on the basis of science - technology and high-quality human resources,and new values can be created to raise labour productivity and generate newgrowth momentum, she added.
Viettelcompleted the building of the 5G network in two months, making Soc Trang the17th province in Vietnam and one of the first localities in the southernregion to access 5G services, according to Sen. Lt. Col. Pham Tri Dung,Director of the Soc Trang branch of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group.
Hesaid the official launch of 5G services is the first move to universalise thenetwork here and also an important step for Viettel to accelerate the buildingof digital infrastructure in the province.
Thesame day, the province’s Soc Trang city opened its IOC, which was also developedwith support from Viettel.
Nguyen Van Quan, Secretary of themunicipal Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee,said the IOC is one of the key facilities in socio-economic development of SocTrang city. It will help governance and task performance be more transparent and effective, and swifter, thus contributing to local smart city building and digitaltransformation./.
Internet infrastructure in the country is set to receive considerable investment in 2022 to meet users’ growing demand, according to the Dau tu (Vietnam Investment Review) newspaper.
The 5G services are projected to contribute 7.34 percent to Vietnam’s GDP growth in 2025, according to a research by the National Institute of Information and Communications Strategy.
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has issued electronic identification (eID) codes for its agencies and units, which are expected to help building an e-Government.
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.
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.
Officials mark the launch of the 5G network in Soc Trang province on April 24. (Photo: VNA) 
