Vietnam and Cuba have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in information security for 2021-2025. The document was signed by Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Manh Hung, and Cuban Minister of Communications, Mayra Arevich Marin, during their working session in Havana, within the framework of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to Cuba.
According to a press release, under the MoU, Vietnam will organise online and in-person seminars and training courses to share management experiences and build a legal environment suitable for the development of science and technology in each country. The two ministers also exchanged views on the development situation in the fields of post telecommunications, information technology, and information security.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in training, improve capacity on information security, protect critical information infrastructure, and respond to computer incidents. On the occasion, Minister Hung presented 30 computers and anti-virus software licenses to the Cuban Communication Ministry.
Vietnam has been collaborating with several countries in the area of information communication, artificial intelligence, and other emerging digital technologies. In July, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi had coordinated with the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) to host a webinar on information and communications technology (ICT) cooperation between the two sides amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. At the webinar, Indian and Vietnamese experts shared opinions and the advantages and opportunities that the two nations have in the field of ICT. Digital transformation in Vietnam, technology solutions in the COVID-19 fight, cybersecurity, and 5G technology were discussed.
In August, the Indian government provided US$5 million in non-refundable aid to help the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence build an information technology (IT) system. The system has been set up at the military software park under the centre of IT and foreign languages at the Telecommunications University. According to an official, the assistance is of significance as it contributes to raising the centre’s capacity and facilitating high-quality human resources development in Vietnam at large, notably in IT and foreign languages. The successful implementation of the project will help to enhance bilateral defence and political ties between the two countries.
Recently, Australia and Vietnam announced they would jointly launch DigiVet-Aus, a business connecting platform. The project is expected to boost software exporting and outsourcing from Vietnam. The market size of the software industry in Australia is estimated at AUD13 billion (US$8.9 billion) as the development of the country’s economy is based on ICT platforms. However, the supply of digital products and human resources have dropped mainly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for human resources and IT products in Australia is huge. Many Australian enterprises are facing a shortage of ICT workforce while the government is focusing on bolstering the development of digital technologies. It is an opportunity for Vietnamese IT companies to strengthen their connection with Australian pairs and vice versa. Vietnamese and Australian businesses have many suitable conditions to increase cooperation.
Vietnam’s IT human resources have currently reached more than one million people, covering hardware, software, and digital content. Foreign investors can benefit from the high-quality IT human resources, government support policies, and a market of 97 million people. Also, they get the opportunity to penetrate the larger ASEAN market that comprises more than 600 million people.
