Truong Gia Binh, VINASA chairman, speaks at the meeting. — Photo vtv.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub)  — The Viet Nam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) officially kicked off the 2016 Sao Khue Awards on January 6.

The annual event, which was first organised in 2003 under the patronage of the Ministry of Information and Communications, has become the most prestigious award of the country's software and IT services.

The Vietnamese IT community praised the event for contributing to the development and application of IT in Viet Nam.

This year's award will have many changes, including the addition of five categories in four groups, including transportation, sales management, health care and beauty, tourism, restaurant and hotel management, and smartphone and mobile apps for education and training.

These fields either have high demand for IT application or have been experiencing trends that IT firms want to develop.

In addition, it will be the first time launching "2016 Top 10 Sao Khue", which will select 10 excellent products and services among the winners.

These will be the products and services that have received the highest evaluations from the jury board on socio-economic efficiency, revenue, market shares, customers and technology.

The changes aim to help enterprises build brands, prepare for integration and create competitive advantages for enterprises and for the country's IT sector, said Truong Gia Binh, VINASA chairman.

To date, the programme has given 735 awards for outstanding IT products and services.

VINASA said March 1 will be the deadline for applicants, and the awards ceremony will be held in Ha Noi by the end of April. — VNS