'Technology from the heart': Painting a picture of the country in the new era

Mong people in Na Ka village, Pa Kien 1 commune, Moc Chau Farm town, Son La province learn plum tree care techniques using a phone connected to the Internet. (Photo: Hoang Quang Ha) Mong people in Na Ka village, Pa Kien 1 commune, Moc Chau Farm town, Son La province learn plum tree care techniques using a phone connected to the Internet. (Photo: Hoang Quang Ha)

After the first successful season, "Technology from the Heart" - an award for photo and video works organized by Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in collaboration with the Military Industry-Telecoms Group ( Viettel ) has returned, attracting the attention of many photography and video lovers nationwide.

With the theme “Vietnamese Creativity – The Road to Prosperity,” the award is expected to continue to receive many works reflecting technology from the breath of life, so that science and technology can truly be the driving force to firmly bring the country into the New Era – the Era of national growth.

Major General Cao Duc Thang, Chairman and General Director of Viettel Group, shared about this issue.

- From the success of the first "Technology from the Heart" Award in 2024, how do you evaluate the positive messages and influence of the award on the community in recent times?

Major General Cao Duc Thang: The first season of "Technology from the Heart" Award has demonstrated the power of photography and video in conveying meaningful stories about the impact of technology on human life. As a co-organizer, Viettel was impressed with the quality and diversity of the participating works.

Major General Cao Duc Thang, Chairman and General Director of Viettel Group. (Photo: CTV/Vietnam+)

These are simple photos, but they tell very ordinary and touching stories. For example, the photo of a homeless person sleeping under a bridge online, temporarily forgetting the cold of winter. It shows that technology is not something too far away, but is really penetrating into everyone's life.

The works clearly reflect that. We see the passion for learning and scientific research of children, the support of technology for the sick, the joy of the disabled when accessing technology, and the excitement of ethnic people when discovering knowledge.

The spread of the award is also very encouraging. Nearly 1,700 photos and 100 videos by hundreds of professional and non-professional authors have attracted more than 8 million views. Many works have been widely shared on social networks. This shows that the theme "Technology from the heart" has truly touched the hearts of many people.

- Is this the motivation for Viettel to continue accompanying season 2?

Major General Cao Duc Thang: Of course. The Technology from the Heart Award is a piece in the journey to fulfill the mission of "Innovation for Humanity" and affirms Viettel's leading role in promoting breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

As a pioneering enterprise in creating a digital society, Viettel is deeply aware that mastering from researching fundamental technologies to developing products will create greater added value for the economy, while affirming Vietnam's position on the world map. This not only helps protect national sovereignty, but also creates momentum for economic and social development.

Photo series: Technology is Ms. Tham's "hands". (Photo: Tran Van Hoang)

With this award, we want to multiply beautiful stories and valuable moments to inspire and motivate the young generation to participate in building the country, determined to conquer higher milestones, bringing our country to a new position in the era of rising.

- So, sir, what is the highlight of this year's award?

Major General Tao Duc Thang: Following the success of the first season, to practically contribute to the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation, VNA and Viettel Group continue to launch the second season of the Technology from the Heart photo and video award.

With the theme “Vietnamese Creativity - The Road to Prosperity”, this year’s award aims to promote and inspire creativity, arouse pride in breakthrough achievements in technology, contribute to the development of the country and Vietnamese people, bring about changes in all fields and regions, towards the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and 40 years of national renovation.

Besides, we also want to communicate technological solutions that contribute to changing all aspects of social life and raising the country's status.

Ha Giang Electricity officials instruct Lo Lo people on how to pay electricity bills via the app. (Photo: Truong Vung)

- As a unit accompanying VNA to organize the event, how do you evaluate the coordination between the two sides as well as the professionalism of this great award? In your opinion, how has the Award contributed to spreading the spirit of promoting the national digital transformation process?

Major General Cao Duc Thang: The first season saw great cooperation between the two sides to create a professional and successful award, a meaningful playground for photography and video enthusiasts. That cooperation created the premise for us to continue to accompany each other in the second season.

Clearly, by vividly visualizing through images and videos, the entries have helped people visualize more clearly the benefits of digital transformation, thereby motivating them to participate in this process.

The award contributes to raising public awareness of the role of technology in life, thereby creating a favorable environment for digital transformation.

Major General Cao Duc Thang

The award also contributes to raising public awareness of the role of technology in life, thereby creating a favorable environment for digital transformation. Many works have reflected successful digital transformation models, thereby spreading good experiences and promoting creativity.

Viettel is committed to continuing to accompany the government and community in the digital transformation process, through investing in research and development of Make in Vietnam technology, as well as organizing communication and educational activities.

VNA-launched-the-second-heart-technology-award-on-26-5.jpg The Organizing Committee answers reporters' questions. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA)

- We are entering an era of national growth. What picture do you expect the upcoming "Technology from the Heart" Award will "paint" of the new era?

Major General Cao Duc Thang: Digital technology has been asserting its key driving force role, promoting socio-economic development, helping people's lives become better and better. This is thanks to the policies of the Party and State that help the country keep up with the world's technology, so that businesses like us can freely innovate, bringing the latest and most advanced technology into life.

In the second season of “Technology from the Heart”, we hope to see images of people in all parts of the country, in difficult areas using science and technology, high technology to improve the quality of life. These can be simple solutions to help people implement public administrative solutions online, artificial intelligence solutions, the application of 4.0 technology to improve old machines, the most advanced technologies in the world put into operation in Vietnam to serve people's lives, develop the country...

People are the center, the core value that every technology or media product aims for and all people have the right and opportunity to access technology as well as information.

Major General Cao Duc Thang

- Obviously, with the support of Viettel, in season 1, the award was organized very successfully, creating a big echo in the community. Many people hope that the award will be held annually and long-term, to add a playground for professional and non-professional authors as well as to promote technology more deeply into life, what do you think about this?

Major General Tao Duc Thang: This is also Viettel's wish when accompanying the organization of the "Technology from the Heart" award. Viettel always supports and accompanies meaningful programs with the aim of creating a playground for everyone to participate, thereby spreading the message: People are the center, the core value that every technology or media product aims for and all people have the right and opportunity to access technology as well as information.

Thank you very much!

Contestants for the Photo and Video Award with the theme “Technology with heart” include all Vietnamese citizens at home and abroad.

Entries must be taken from May 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, and must not have won any awards for photos or videos.

Deadline for submissions is June 30, 2025; Closing and award ceremony: Expected in August 2025.

Each author has the right to submit an unlimited number of works to the Contest, but can only use one name according to the ID card or Citizen ID card.

Authors submit directly via the "Register for the contest" section on the website: https://congnghetutraitim.com

Delegates perform the award launching ceremony. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA)