Viet Nam should promote information technology (IT) products and services with high added value capable of deployment on a regional and global scale, said Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology Nguyen Thanh Hung in the northern province of Lao Cai on Friday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 21st Vietnam Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Development Conference, Hung detailed what Viet Nam should focus on to overcome the challenges brought by the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0).

“It is also necessary to continue to focus on building and developing IT infrastructure, especially fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, which should be safe and modern with high volume, high speed and wide coverage across the country,” said Hung.

In terms of information security and security, along with the deployment of e-government services, Hung said attention should be paid on information security as networks are increasingly complicated, exposing many potential weaknesses.

Ngo Hai Phan, Director of the Government Office’s Administrative Procedures Department said public administrative units’ purpose was to serve people. “To meet the people’s rights, the reform of procedures, in conjunction with the application of advanced technologies to overcome difficulties is the top concern of Viet Nam.”

In fact, concern over Industry 4.0 is not just for a single individual or business organisation, but for the whole nation.

Cao Hoang Anh, Deputy General Director of FSI Investment and Trade Development JSC said his company expected agencies to formulate policies to support IT and software solutions, including reducing value-added tax, supporting administrative procedures and creating favourable conditions for enterprises to implement IT projects.

In addition, the conference discussed how to build ‘Smart Cities’ - a term that has become popular as many major cities around the world apply technology to improve living standards when facing rapid population growth.

Vietnam ICT Index

On the same day, the ministry in co-operation with the Viet Nam Informatics Association announced the Report of Readiness Index for the development and application of ICT in Viet Nam.

The Ministry of Finance was ranked first for the fifth consecutive year, followed by Viet Nam Social Security (VSS), the Ministry of Education and Training and MIC.

At second position, VSS has made a big jump compared to 2016 when it was ranked the 20th. According to Le Hong Ha, Deputy Chairman Vietnam Association of Informatics, VSS last year spent about VND1.5 trillion for health insurance connections.

In the general ranking of provinces and cities, Da Nang stayed first, with Ho Chi Minh City second and Ha Noi ranked third.

In the framework of the event, there is also a map exhibition and a documentary ‘Hoang Sa (Paracel)- Truong Sa (Spratly) - historical evidence’, an IT product exhibition; and an event to provide informatics equipment for some disadvantaged communes in Lao Cai province. — VNS