The Viet Nam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) presented the Sao Khue Awards to 73 information and technology (IT) solutions and services and software products.

Addressing the event on Saturday, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Minh Hong praised the role played by VINASA and IT enterprises nationwide for the development of the country’s IT sector.

Sao Khue 2018 received 103 nominations from 80 organisations and enterprises, of which 51 software products and 22 IT services were awarded.

This year’s award gave priority to IT products, research related to solutions and services and application of new technology trends, including artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data, Robotic Process Automation, Blockchain and Virtual Reality, which are hoped to promote the digital conversion process in enterprises and organisations.

The top 10 Sao Khue awards were presented to the most excellent products and services from Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam, FPT Software, ISOFH Company, ITSOL Company, TIMA Group, Viettel Network Technologies Centre, Viet Nam Posts and Telecommunications Group, Viettel Telecom and Information Technology Solution Centre and VTC Telecommunications JSC.

VINASA Chairman Truong Gia Binh said the Sao Khue Awards would continue to be innovated, aiming to encourage IT firms to give their best and promote innovation, focusing on digital conversion strategy and developing high-quality services and products, thus serving Viet Nam’s economic development as well as the demand in international markets.

In addition to big names in the IT sector, Sao Khue awards this year saw many newcomers.

According to Tran Van Ba, deputy director of Huong Viet Group, which won the award in the education and training sector for its cloud learning system (CLS) in human resources training in businesses, applying technology in education has been necessary, especially in the wave of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Up to 90 per cent of 500,000 Vietnamese firms do not have an internal training system. CLS can help businesses reduce 75 per cent of education fee, 95 per cent of classes and 100 per cent of travel and accommodation costs,” Ba said.

Initiated in 2003, the award aims to honour high-quality and effective IT products and services in the domestic market, which can also make inroads into international markets, contributing to promoting IT application and development in Viet Nam in recent years.

The organising board has so far honoured over 800 outstanding software and IT products and services. — VNS