80 years, VNPT continues the pioneering tradition

From the "Specialized Traffic Department" established during the August 1945 General Uprising, to the Post and Telecommunications sector, then the Vietnam Information and Communications sector, carrying many responsibilities and pressures to accompany the Government in today's strong digitalization process.

Born and raised with the country

In the midst of the exciting days of preparation for the August Revolution to seize power across the country, along with many other important decisions, the National Conference of the Party in Tan Trao (Tuyen Quang) on August 14 and 15, 1945 decided to establish the "Specialized Communications Committee", the predecessor of the Post Office . This was a historical milestone in the formation and development of the Vietnam Postal Service, later the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Service. Since then, August 15 has been taken as the traditional day of the Postal Service.

During that period, with the spirit of courage, dedication and intelligence to overcome all difficulties, shortages and dangers, the predecessor of the Postal Service quickly organized a communication system with many creative and effective forms, creating information veins from revolutionary bases in mountainous areas to all over the countryside and cities.

Images of Vietnam Post employees, ensuring communication during the country's two resistance wars.

Following Uncle Ho's teaching: "Communication is the most important thing in revolutionary work, because it determines the unity of command, the distribution of forces and thus ensures victory", going through two arduous and sacrificial wars of national liberation, generations of cadres and workers in the Postal sector have always demonstrated the spirit of "Loyalty - Courage - Dedication - Creativity" to maintain the bloodline of communication in all situations, contributing worthily to the victory of the nation.

On every inch of the land of the Fatherland of Vietnam, it can be said that everywhere there are the footprints of the Post Office, everywhere is soaked with the sweat and blood of the heroes and martyrs of the Post Office. Through two resistance wars, nearly 10,000 cadres and soldiers of the industry heroically sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the nation. 50 units of the industry have been awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces. They are the ones who "hold the poles and hold the ropes" with their lives to maintain communication and keep the revolutionary blood flowing evenly to the ends of the Fatherland.

Speaking about this, Dr. Mai Liem Truc (former General Director of the General Department of Posts and Telecommunications, former Deputy Minister of Posts and Telecommunications) shared his pride: “Telecommunication is not only the lifeblood of the revolution, but also the central nervous system of the Party. Every victory has the mark of the Postal sector.”

Pioneer in the journey of innovation

The 6th Party Congress in 1986, which started the country's renovation, was also the time when the Postal Service sector made revolutionary decisions. With the spirit of self-reliance, self-strengthening and innovative thinking, determined to break away from the old mechanism, overcome the mentality and habit of relying on and waiting for superiors, the Postal Service sector proactively applied the mechanism of self-borrowing, self-paying, and self-responsibility to invest in expanding and rapidly modernizing Vietnam's telecommunications network. Dr. Mai Liem Truc recalled: "While 95% of the world still used analog, the Vietnam Postal Service sector made a bold decision to go straight to digitalization - from switchboards, fiber optic cables, microwaves, to satellite information".

Through the 2-phase acceleration strategy from 1993 to 2000, the Postal sector, in which the key role is the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Corporation ( VNPT ), has taken a shortcut, modernized, and developed Vietnam's postal, telecommunications, and information technology infrastructure to be on par with the level of advanced countries in the region and the world, promptly meeting the requirements of the country's innovation and development.

A series of innovations during this period reshaped the face of Vietnamese telecommunications: the first VSAT station built in Truong Sa, the TVH international submarine cable, the VinaPhone mobile network - the first telecommunications service designed and operated by Vietnamese people... The fixed and mobile telecommunications network, along with a system of service points and a wide coverage area, reaching remote areas, borders, and islands, contributed significantly to the popularization of postal, telecommunications and information technology services, promoting socio-economic development, improving the knowledge and living standards of people in rural and mountainous areas.

In 2006, VNPT officially became the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group, opening a new development journey with a new mission. In April 2008, and then in May 2012, two satellites VINASAT-1 and VINASAT-2 were successfully launched, putting Vietnam on the world space map. During that time, VNPT's revenue exceeded the 1 billion USD mark, second only to the oil and gas industry, demonstrating the strong resilience of a corporation that has chosen the right path of innovation: technology and strategy.

On April 18, 2008, Vietnam's VINASAT-1 satellite was launched into orbit, marking an important historical milestone, helping Vietnam complete its telecommunications system including both ground and space.

The period 2012-2019 was the time when VNPT faced great challenges: the telecommunications market was saturated and competition was fierce. At this time, a decision to comprehensively restructure was made. Mr. Tran Manh Hung, former Chairman of the Board of Members of VNPT shared: “If we do not restructure, VNPT will lose its position. We have to rebuild from finance to human resources, from infrastructure to strategy”.

The VNPT 4.0 strategy was born, making VNPT the first corporation in the state-owned enterprise sector to have its digital transformation roadmap approved. From here, VNPT officially entered a new development phase: Shifting from a traditional service provider to a “digital communications service provider” (DSP); becoming an ICT Hub of the Asian region by 2030.

With the right steps and strategies, in 5 consecutive years from 2015-2019, VNPT's profit growth rate averaged 20%/year or more. VNPT has a modern, synchronous telecommunications infrastructure, broadband coverage across the country, with a land-based fiber optic cable system, international submarine fiber optic cable, VINASAT-1 and 2 satellite system, directly connecting to more than 240 countries in the world, meeting the highest requirements for national information security as well as satisfying the diverse needs of customers...

Pioneering in building a digital nation, creating a digital Vietnam

Vietnam is undergoing a strong transformation, with the remarkable development of digital technology in all fields. The government and businesses, including VNPT, the country's leading technology corporation, are actively implementing digital transformation strategies to enhance national competitiveness.

VNPT's initiative and strong transformation have been recognized when the Government has continuously trusted and ordered the implementation of key national digital transformation projects such as: National Document Interconnection Axis System; National Reporting Information System; Information Center for the Government and Prime Minister's Command and Control; National Public Service Portal; National Population Database System; National Database System on Civil Servants and Public Employees; National Land Database...

VNPT has been carrying out the mission of leading national digital transformation.

Not only at the central level, VNPT is also a strategic partner of many localities in implementing solutions to build digital government and digital economy. From smart operation centers, digital platforms for education, healthcare, transportation, to big data analysis solutions and information security... VNPT has made a strong mark. Success in digital transformation helps VNPT not only be an "extended arm" of the Government in creating digital government, but also a companion of many localities in building digital government, digital economy and digital society - three pillars of a digital nation according to the orientation of the Vietnamese Government.

In the journey of nearly 80 years of growing up with the country, inheriting the traditions of previous generations, VNPT has always been present as a symbol of pioneering. From the primitive information lines that kept the revolutionary bloodline, to mastering satellite technology, and then transforming itself into a pillar of national digital transformation - every step of VNPT is associated with national aspirations and a sense of responsibility to the Fatherland.

“We are always aware that what VNPT has today is the result of many generations who have fallen, who have devoted their efforts to maintain the information bloodline and maintain the faith. Continuing that pioneering spirit, today's generation of VNPT cannot stop,” said Mr. To Dung Thai, Chairman of VNPT Board of Directors.

To date, VNPT has provided broadband internet to 100% of communes nationwide. Expanded the FTTx fixed broadband network to 10 million subscribers. VNPT's VinaPhone 4G wave has reached 98% of the population. It is expected that by the end of 2025, VNPT's VinaPhone 5G wave will cover 85% of the population. In parallel with providing transmission infrastructure, VNPT is constantly innovating, researching and mastering new 4.0 technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Internet of Things (IOT), Blockchain, Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality (VR/AR) allowing businesses and people to share, develop and use services.

THU QUYNH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/80-nam-vnpt-tiep-noi-truyen-thong-tien-phong-post808486.html