10 outstanding IT events in 2023

1. The National Assembly passed the amended Telecommunications Law:

On November 24, 2023, the National Assembly officially passed the amended Telecommunications Law. This is a crucial law with the widest possible impact on the ICT industry. Broadly speaking, the Telecommunications Law will lay the foundation for digital transformation, moving towards a Digital Society and Digital Citizens.

ICT Press Club announces 10 outstanding information technology events of 2023 (Image 1) — The National Assembly votes to pass the amended Telecommunications Law. Photo: Doan Tan

The amended Telecommunications Law expands the scope and subject matter of regulation to include several new services such as cloud computing, data center services, and basic telecommunications services over the Internet. These services are managed in a "lightweight," open, and flexible manner, aiming to protect user rights and ensure safety and security. The law also specifies the types of telecommunications resources that can be allocated through auction.

2. Standardize information for millions of subscribers.

To address the problem of spam calls, spam messages, and scam calls, from March 31, 2023, mobile network operators began blocking outgoing calls for subscribers whose information did not match the information verified against the national population database.

Subsequently, two-way communication with these subscribers was blocked, and after two months, the contract would be terminated if the subscriber did not register for personal information standardization. Millions of subscribers have already registered for this standardization process.

3. The National Assembly passed the Law on Electronic Transactions.

The Law on Electronic Transactions was passed by the 15th National Assembly on June 22, 2023. Compared to the 2005 Law on Electronic Transactions, the new law expands the scope of application of electronic transactions to all activities of social life; creating a unified legal framework for electronic transaction activities in various fields to facilitate the transformation of transactions from the physical environment to the digital environment, promoting national digital transformation.

4. Many semiconductor corporations have opened manufacturing plants in Vietnam.

In 2023, Vietnam's semiconductor sector emerged as a destination for many semiconductor manufacturers, attracting the attention and presence of leading global corporations from the US, South Korea, China, and other countries, with investment projects ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of USD.

Besides foreign projects, several Vietnamese technology companies and enterprises, such asFPT Semiconductor and Viettel, have researched, designed, and manufactured chips. This will be a path for Vietnam to participate more deeply in the global semiconductor industry.

5. The surge in online fraud.

2023 was considered a year of explosive growth in cyber fraud. The Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department (A05) stated that high-tech crime continued to increase and become more complex, with new criminal methods emerging such as fraud using Deepfake technology, organizing and participating in large-scale gambling, buying and selling bank account information for illegal purposes, using devices similar to BTS stations of telecommunications companies or using software to spread fraudulent messages; illegal lending activities, quick loans on mobile and online platforms; theft and trading of personal data…

6. First time checking out the TikTok social network in Vietnam.

In early October 2023, the Broadcasting and Electronic Information Department (Ministry of Information and Communications) announced the results of a comprehensive inspection of TikTok's operations in Vietnam.

Accordingly, an inter-agency inspection team led by the Ministry of Information and Communications conducted a comprehensive inspection of TikTok's operations in Vietnam from mid-May to the end of September 2023. The inspection concluded that TikTok required it to implement nine measures to rectify violations, including removing 100% of content that violates Vietnamese law.

7. The Prime Minister signs and promulgates the Strategy for Digital Transformation of Journalism.

On April 6, 2023, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 348/QD-TTg approving the Strategy "Digital Transformation of Journalism by 2025, with a vision to 2030."

The strategy aims for the following goals by 2030: 100% of media organizations will upload content to digital platforms; 90% of media organizations will use centralized data analytics and processing platforms, applying artificial intelligence to optimize operations; and 100% of media organizations will operate using a converged newsroom model and other models aligned with the development of advanced science and technology worldwide, producing content according to digital journalism trends.

8. FPT reaches $1 billion in software export revenue.

In December 2023, FPT reached the milestone of $1 billion in software export revenue, primarily from three key markets: Japan, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region.

This achievement makes FPT the first Vietnamese technology company to reach billion-dollar revenue from software exports, marking the mark of Vietnamese intelligence globally and contributing to the overall development of the economy.

9. Abandon the proposal to impose excise tax on online games.

On July 24, 2023, the Government Office announced the Standing Committee's conclusion that online gaming businesses would not be subject to special consumption tax. Previously, the Ministry of Finance had proposed including online games under special consumption tax to limit the production and consumption of goods that are harmful to health and society.

However, this proposal met with strong opposition from experts, businesses, and relevant ministries. Imposing an excise tax on online games would likely encourage domestic businesses to relocate and establish operations overseas.

10. The largest data center in Vietnam is inaugurated in Hoa Lac.

On October 25th, VNPT inaugurated its Data Center (IDC) at the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park. VNPT IDC Hoa Lac boasts a total usable floor area of 23,000 m2 and a capacity of up to 2,000 racks – the largest in Vietnam currently.

VNPT aims to become the leading IDC provider in Vietnam and the region to realize its mission of contributing to the National Digital Transformation.

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