Vietnam wishes to sign digital partnerships with ASEAN countries and others to build a digital One ASEAN.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung speaks at the event. Photos: MIC

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung expressed his expectation at the Vietnam International Digital Week 2022, which started on October 11 in Hanoi.

The event, one of the activities to respond to the National Digital Transformation Day (October 10), will run under the theme "Global Partnerships for the Sustainable Digital Future" until October 14.

"This initiative is being held for the first time in Vietnam and will become an annual event of ASEAN countries. We will discuss various topics, such as digital transformation, digital institutions, digital infrastructure, digital technology, digital platforms, digital applications, digital human resources, digital security and digital cooperation," Hung stressed.

"We will have Vietnam - India, Vietnam - Japan and Vietnam – South Korea forums to debate the development of the digital partnership."

The event also represents a chance for leaders of ministries, sectors, and management agencies related to digital transformation from ASEAN member states, as well as international organizations, associations, and global digital firms, to share visions and roadmaps for digital development, experience in digital economy management and measurement, priorities in establishing digital partnerships among the regional countries.

The event will focus on promoting and expanding digital partnerships, prioritizing the improvement of institutions and management environment, accelerating digital transformation, developing the digital technology industry and infrastructure, building secure and reliable cyberspace and enhancing digital skills.
According to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung, Vietnam has released the National Digital Transformation Program, e-Government Development Strategy, Digital Economy Development Strategy and Digital Society.

The digital government plays a pioneering role in the nation's digital transformation, promoting the digital economy and digital society, he said.

Dung proposed that countries cooperate and share experiences in various aspects such as digital policy formulation, digital skills development, cybersecurity, and digital economy measurement.

Vietnam wishes to learn from experiences on improving the legal framework, including taxing e-commerce, protecting digital consumers, building common platforms on digital skills, and training high-quality human resources in new technologies.
He stressed that the country wants to work with other countries to develop a common framework and methods to measure the digital economy's contribution to GDP and compare the size of countries' digital economies.

Vietnam has conducted a pilot test to measure the digital platform's contribution to the economy and hopes to partner with other countries to set up a joint working group on this issue.

At the event, Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara informed that the Lao government is committed to promoting economic and social growth through accelerating digital transformation and technology adoption.
He said that Laos has also improved several regulatory and policy frameworks to nurture the digital startup ecosystem and allow small and medium enterprises and startups to access investment funds and foster the startup community.

Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara