This is the first time the country has had a smartphone universalisation programme to provide devices to all people. — Photo baophapluat.vn

Viet Nam is planning to produce new smartphones costing just VND500,000 (US$20).

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said that this year would be the year of universalisation of smartphones.

This is the first time the country has had a smartphone universalisation programme through the production of Vietnamese branded smartphones to all people.

A Vietnamese smartphone will cost $45-50 to produce. However, with support from mobile operators and application developers, a smartphone can be sold for $20.

Speaking at a meeting of the Ministry of Information and Communications for the first quarter, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasised that this year would be the year of national digital transformation, witnessing the development of Vietnamese digital technology enterprises and cybersecurity ecosystem.

Cybersecurity products would be Made-in-Viet Nam, he said.

The Ministry of Information and Communications would take strong actions to require cross-border platforms when doing business in Viet Nam to comply with Vietnamese laws, he noted.

In particular, the minister said that the country would host the ITU Digital World 2020 for the first time in this year. This is the largest telecom event ever, with about 130-150 countries attending. — VNS