Workshop discusses digital technology’s role in infrastructure development
The Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission held a workshop on November 16 to look into the promotion of digital technology application to building and managing socio-economic infrastructure during the process of national industrialisation and modernisation until 2030 with a vision to 2045.
Hanoi (VNA) –The Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission held a workshop on November16 to look into the promotion of digital technology application to building andmanaging socio-economic infrastructure during the process of national industrialisation andmodernisation until 2030 with a vision to 2045.
Vice Chairman of the EconomicCommission Do Ngoc An said the 13th National Party Congress issuedthe guidelines of “continuing to step up industrialisation and modernisation onthe basis of scientific - technological advances, innovation, and technologicalachievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)” and focusing onimplementing certain solutions, including building synchronous and modern socio-economicinfrastructure; developing information and telecom infrastructure to create thefoundation for national digital transformation and facilitate a digitaleconomy, digital society, smart production, new production and business models,sharing economy, e-commerce; and conducting digital transformation in allenterprises and State agencies.
The successful implementationof this breakthrough will greatly help turn Vietnam into an indutrialisedcountry soon, he noted.
An said socio-economicinfrastructure in the country has been developed over the past years,gradually meeting national construction and defence requirements. The digitalinfrastructure is relatively modern and covers all provinces and citiesnationwide, he added.
However, there remainproblems, he pointed out, elaborating that the speed of the telecom and ITnetworks is still slow, unable to meet the demand for developing Internet ofThings, smart cities, and smart production. The access to wideband services inrural and mountainous areas remains limited, the national digitaltransformation is slow, and there are numerous challenges to the fight againstcybercrime.
At the workshop, participantssaid weaknesses in socio-economic infrastructure are one of the majorhindrances to the development of Vietnam’s economy. That fact required the optimisationof chances in the 4IR to reform the growth model, restructure the economy, makestrategic breakthroughs, and industrialise and modernise the country.
They discussed challenges todigital infrastructure development and ways to build synchronous and modernsocio-economic infrastructure, thereby helping fuel economic growth, resolvesocial issues, and transform Vietnam into a modern industrialised nation with upper-middleincome by 2030 and a developed and high-income nation by 2045./.
Vietnam underlined the importance of efficiency and security in digital technology application in peacekeeping activities and the protection of civilians during an open debate of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held on August 18.
Travel companies and tourism management agencies have pursued their own management solutions, including speeding up application of digital technology to save themselves amid difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Digital technology, if exploited to the maximum, can bring over 1.733 quadrillion VND (74 billion USD) to Vietnam by 2030, with the most beneficial sectors including manufacturing, agriculture and food, and education-training.
As travel restrictions and social distancing measures are still in place in countries across the globe, digital technology has helped to keep the world connected and maintain the global supply and production chains, and the diplomatic service is no exception, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told the International Conference on Digital Diplomacy (ICDD) 2021 virtually hosted by Indonesia on November 16.
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.
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.
The workshop held on November 16. (Photo: VNA) 
