Vietnam ready to embrace Industry 4.0

A staff of FPT Group introduces the latest technology to visitors at the Industry 4.0 exhibition in the National Convention Centre in Ha Noi. - VNS Photo Thu Giang

The statement was released by Head of the Party Central Committee (PCC)'s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh at the Industry 4.0 Summit – the largest digital transformation conference and export event in Vietnam – held in Ha Noi on Thursday.

Binh said over 40 countries and territories, including developing countries, have issued strategies and action programmes related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0). Many of them have also developed and implemented national digital transformation strategies, which is one of the core contents of participation in Industry 4.0.

“For our country, many domestic and international research results forecast that participation in the Industry 4.0 will bring many positive results to Vietnam’s economic growth in the future," Binh said.

To turn it into reality, he said the Party and State directed all levels and sectors to promote the application of science, technology and innovation and well as boost research activities to actively participate in Industry 4.0.

In Vietnam, telecommunications infrastructure has been built in a synchronous manner, with mobile coverage reaching 99.7 per cent of the population nationwide. 3G and 4G coverage reached over 98 per cent with low cost, while the 5G network is undergoing testing and expected to be deployed commercially from 2020.

The digital economy has been formed and developed rapidly, becoming an increasingly important part of the economy and ranking 3rd in the ASEAN region in terms of scale. Digital technology has been applied in industries, agriculture and services, of which many new and cross-border businesses and service forms, based on digital technology and the internet, have created job opportunities, improved incomes and enhance the quality of people’s lives.

“The Party said that Industry 4.0 will bring both challenges and opportunities. We must proactively prevent and limit the negative impacts of this revolution. It requires management innovation to reform institutions, piloting new models,” Binh said.

“For developing countries like us, this is a golden opportunity and an important tool to catch up, compete, and make breakthroughs in the future.”

Resolution 52

At the forum, Binh introduced the Politburo’s Resolution No. 52-NQ/TW, which was released on Friday with a number of guidelines and policies to ensure active participation in Industry 4.0.

Under this resolution, the National Assembly, the Government, ministries and sectors and localities will jointly participate in implementing concrete programmes and plans to promote Industry 4.0 nationwide.

By 2025, Vietnam strives to maintain its position in the top three ASEAN countries in the Global Innovation Index (GII) rankings, building the digital economy to account for about 20 per cent of GDP while labour productivity increases on average over 7 per cent per year.

By 2030, the country will be among the top 40 countries in the world in the GII rankings, with the digital economy accounting for over 30 per cent of GDP and labour productivity increasing on average about 7.5 per cent.

To achieve these objectives, the resolution states several guidelines and major policies needed to be implemented, including innovating thinking and perfecting institutions to facilitate proactive participation in Industry 4.0 and the process of national digital transformation.

It also points out specific policies on the development of essential infrastructure, enhancement of the national creation and innovation capacities, human resources' quality and international integration.

“Viet Nam wishes to expand and deepen scientific and technological cooperation with partners, especially strategic partners with advanced science and technology qualifications, who are leading in Industry 4.0," Binh said.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said the Government has issued many policies to speed up the Industry 4.0 nationwide. The ministries of Planning and Investment and Information and Communications have recently drafted the national strategy for Industry 4.0 and the national digital transformation programme, which have been launched for the public's comments. They are expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval and issued this year.

Dam said the Government will issue a pilot Industry 4.0 project for production models and new products, which will need close participation of every locality.

Professor Nguyen Xuan Thang, chairman of Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, said the Resolution 52 shows the determination of the Party and the State in approaching Industry 4.0.

“Our target is fast and sustainable development based on Industry 4.0. We need to build up our creation and innovation capacity,” Thang said.

“It’s said that technology is important and institution is decisive, but in my view, people are the most decisive factor,” he added.

The two-day Industry 4.0 Summit, which opened on Wednesday, includes five conferences on banking innovation, smart cities, smart manufacturing, smart energy and digital economy, with participants from domestic and international organisations who shared their experience and discussed trends and solutions to promote Industry 4.0 in Vietnam.

The event, jointly held by the Economic Commission, IEC Group, Vietnam Automation Association and Vietnam Digital Communications Association, was attended by leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly, Government, heads of 63 cities and provinces nationwide, representatives of embassies, international organisations and domestic and foreign businesses.