Mastering technology for development

Mastering new technologies will give you the initiative in production and reduce dependence on foreign countries.

Vietnam is striving to attract international investment to apply high technology in its technology-based national development strategy. However, Vietnam cannot passively adopt foreign technology; it needs a specific strategy and proactive solutions for receiving investment, in which mastering technology plays a key role.

Keeping pace with global trends

Following NVIDIA's collaboration with the Vietnamese government in early December 2024 to build an AI research and development (AI R&D) center, Qualcomm launched its third-largest AI R&D center in the world in Vietnam in early June.

The key issue is to define technology mastery not as universal technology, but as core technology – fundamental, crucial technology. This forms the basis for developing other applied technologies. Those who master and own new technologies will have the initiative in production, reduce dependence on foreign technology, and create added value in their country's key industries.

According to Mr. Nguyen Trung Chinh, Chairman and CEO of CMC Technology Group, Vietnam is facing a great opportunity in digital transformation and AI transformation. CMC clearly defines its mission not only as developing its business, but also as making a substantial contribution to national technological self-reliance, accompanying the Government in realizing the goals of Resolution 68-NQ/TW dated May 4, 2025, of the Politburo to develop the private sector into a truly important driving force of the economy. CMC has built the C.OpenAI ecosystem - an open AI technology platform, researched and developed with more than 25 core technologies with the goal of creating AI products and solutions with wide applicability in management, operation, and socio-economic development.

The Vietnam Military Telecommunications Group (Viettel) has also mastered core technologies for high-tech defense products. During a meeting with Viettel in 2024 regarding the T-09 program and research and production activities in the high-tech defense industry, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh remarked: "Products researched and developed by Viettel itself – especially strategic products – will contribute to laying the foundation for building a national defense industry." In the civilian sector, in November 2024, Viettel Group began large-scale commercial deployment of 5G Open RAN base stations "Make in Vietnam, Made by Viettel." This is the world's first 5G Open RAN (Radio Access Network, RAN) base station using a Qualcomm chipset, jointly researched and developed by Viettel High Tech (Viettel High-Tech Corporation) and Qualcomm (USA). Prior to the Open RAN project in collaboration with Qualcomm, Viettel had already developed and mastered 4G and 5G base station systems (BTS), and successfully deployed these products on its network. These were fundamental steps for Viettel in realizing its vision of mastering technology and laying the foundation for the national telecommunications industry. Jeanette Whyte, Director of Policy at the Global Mobile Organization (GSMA) in Asia-Pacific, stated that more and more carriers are deploying Open RAN, a global trend. Open RAN helps countries and carriers transform their networks. By partnering with Qualcomm, Viettel can bring its products to the promising global market.

The telecommunications technology website LightReading of the global information network Informa recently published an article about a promising 5G collaboration project between Qualcomm and Viettel. The article suggests that Vietnam could be a 5G launchpad for Qualcomm; in addition to operating a large domestic mobile network, Viettel also has an international presence including countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and even Peru.

5G Open RAN base station manufactured by Viettel in collaboration with Qualcomm. (Photo: Viettel)

Focus efforts on R&D

In fact, mastering core technology requires mastering R&D, investing seriously, systematically, and appropriately in R&D. To practice effective R&D, one must ensure the following elements: acceptance of change, understanding of data, skill development, good project management, clear communication, and ethical conduct (respecting privacy, ensuring data security, etc.).

Last May, the Vietnam Software and Information Technology Services Association (VINASA) held the Vietnam - Asia DX Summit 2025 in Hanoi with the theme "Mastering Technology - Breakthrough, Soaring Forward". According to information presented at the event, Vietnam is focusing on researching and developing several strategic technology groups, including AI, data science, the Internet of Things, 5G and 6G mobile networks, Blockchain, semiconductors, and cybersecurity. By 2025, Vietnam is expected to have over 54,500 digital technology enterprises. Several large corporations such as Viettel, CMC, FPT, VNPT, Misa, One Mount, etc., have undertaken the task of developing core technology products to solve some of the nation's major challenges. Vietnam currently has over 1,000 digital technology businesses exporting services to major markets such as the US, Japan, Europe, South Korea, and Australia, generating billions of USD in revenue annually.

At the Vietnam - Asia DX Summit 2025, Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa - Chairman of VINASA Association and General Director of FPT Group - stated: "This is a golden opportunity for technology businesses to take advantage of government support policies and exploit the potential of the digital transformation market."

Strategic technology and product portfolio

On June 12, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Decision No. 1131/QD-TTg promulgating the List of Strategic Technologies and Strategic Technology Products, comprising 11 groups of strategic technologies with 35 groups of strategic technology products. Thus, after a consultation process, the Vietnamese Government has officially identified the strategic technologies that the nation must proactively invest in, develop, and master.

Mr. Phuc

Source: https://nld.com.vn/lam-chu-cong-nghe-de-phat-trien-196250614203852273.htm