Tell inspirational stories for digital technology businesses

On April 13, in Hanoi, Vietnam Software and IT Services Association - VINASA held a ceremony to honor and award the 2024 Sao Khue Award. In its 21st year, the award continues to receive the sponsorship of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Speaking at the event, identifying Sao Khue as one of the prestigious awards of Vietnam's IT industry, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Bui Hoang Phuong said that after more than 20 years of formation and development, the award has recognized the great contributions of businesses and individuals in the process of developing Vietnam's ICT industry; Honoring Vietnamese IT products and solutions that are quality, effective and trusted by the market. The award has contributed to promoting IT development and application.

Reviewing the outstanding developments in world technology over the past 20 years, sharing information from a recent business trip to the US, Deputy Minister Bui Hoang Phuong especially emphasized two new technologies: semiconductors and AI. According to the Deputy Minister, these two technologies are also of great interest to American businesses.

Emphasizing that Vietnam has been participating very actively in the process of strong changes in global technology, the Deputy Minister said that over the past two decades, Vietnam can be proud of the strong transformations of the ICT industry. One of the highlights is that the total revenue of the industry in 2023 will be about 240 times higher than in 2000, with an average revenue growth of 15 - 20%, which is twice the growth of the country's GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Sao Khue has always closely followed the development of the country's ICT industry, accompanying the transition from IT to digital transformation, from mainly using foreign technology and products to using "Make in Vietnam" digital technology products. From focusing on domestic activities, many corporations and businesses have reached out to the global market.

"During that journey, the Sao Khue Award not only honors excellent products and services but more specifically tells stories that inspire the community and businesses in this field, contributing to the development of Vietnam's ICT industry", Deputy Minister Bui Hoang Phuong commented.

Promoting even stronger AI applications

With Sao Khue 2024, according to VINASA Chairman Nguyen Van Khoa, in order to promptly encourage the creativity of businesses, contributing to promoting the realization of the orientation of the Government and the Ministry of Information and Communications, this year's awards have been adjusted with the innovation of the entire group and field structure system for IT products, platforms, services and solutions.

Through 3 rounds of selection, in 8 field groups, there were 169 nominations from 117 businesses honored to receive the 2024 Sao Khue Award at the event on April 13. Among them, there are 3 excellent nominations for digital transformation of government and administration; 13 excellent nominations help improve and enhance the culture and quality of life of the community; 30 nominations to promote market and consumption; 28 digital transformation solutions for businesses and organizations; 17 nominations to support economic sectors and large businesses; 22 excellent technology platforms and infrastructure; 23 excellent digital services and 33 typical innovative products and projects.

In particular, in addition to honoring 11 nominees achieving '5-star Sao Khue', the award organizing committee also honored 10 excellent products and technology solutions achieving 'Top 10 Sao Khue 2024'. This year's Top 10 products and services are spread across many fields such as government, administration, and the public sector; corporate governance; industrial production; agriculture and food processing; car; digital banking; fintech; retail and distribution; digital entertainment.

Stating that Sao Khue 2024 recognizes the innovation efforts of businesses and the development of the digital technology application market, VINASA Chairman informed that Sao Khue this year has 8 specialized AI platforms and solutions, but more than 90% of products and services are integrated with AI applications to support businesses, organizations and people.

"Sao Khue 2024 also recorded 33 new products - solutions, very diverse technological innovations serving many fields, as well as core technology development from AI technology platforms, cloud computing, to 3D, Big Data", Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa said.

Emphasizing that the ICT industry will continue to have strong changes in the coming time, Deputy Minister Bui Hoang Phuong reminded the Vietnamese digital technology business community of the Ministry of Information and Communications's orientation in 2024, which is: "Universalizing digital infrastructure, creating digital applications to develop the digital economy - New driving force for economic growth and labor productivity".

The Deputy Minister also said that the Ministry of Information and Communications determined that AI is the most important technology in the current period, therefore in 2024, the Information and Communications industry will continue to promote and develop AI applications, especially narrow AI, create AI applications in each industrial field, provide and popularize AI applications.

"The Ministry of Information and Communications expects and is ready to join hands with Vietnamese digital technology businesses in promoting AI application more strongly in the coming time," the Deputy Minister affirmed.

The representative of the Ministry of Information and Communications also pledged that the Ministry will constantly create and improve the legal environment; continue to accompany and create the best conditions and support for production and business activities of Vietnamese enterprises and IT industry.

| First organized in 2003, to date, Sao Khue Awards have honored 1,715 individuals, businesses and excellent digital technology products, services and solutions. After the award ceremony, in addition to promotional support activities, the Organizing Committee also introduced excellent products and solutions achieving 'Sao Khue 2024' to over 5,000 agencies, organizations and businesses to recommend their use. |