Vietnam now ranks 18^th in the world and 6^th in Asia in terms of the number of Internet users with an annual growth rate of 20 percent currently, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), a quarter of its population have access to the Internet, 27 times as many as did, just 5 years ago.

In 2009, Vietnam ranked among the top ten IT developing countries, it was also one of Asia’s top ten most attractive software processing countries and was recognized by the World Bank as a leading country in ICT application.

Chances to thrive

At the World Information Technology Forum 2009 (WITFOR 2009), which took place in August 2009, the PM emphasized that Vietnam views IT as a key industry to achieve the nation’s millennium targets, build an information-based society and speed up the industrialization and modernization.

Under the government’s policies, the MIC established a multi-billion VND project to make Vietnam become one of the top 70 IT developing countries in 2015 and then rank among top 60 in 2020.

The project also was aimed at helping ICT businesses to penetrate the global market, build strong brand names, set up ICT corporations and ICT stimulus funds and complete the legal framework to create better conditions for ICT companies.

Truong Gia Binh, president of the Finance and Promotion of Technology Corporation (FPT) said these projects and policies provide chances for Vietnam in general and for ICT companies and corporations in particular to expand.

He said that although FPT and other businesses have implemented many campaigns to promote Vietnam’s ICT image, they have scored limited achievements. He said he hoped government assistance would help to enhance the prestige of businesses.

MIC Deputy Minister Tran Duc Lai said that apart from efforts by businesses, it is essential for the government to build up a long-term policy to provide a backbone for the sector. It should also have supporting policies to help businesses promote their strengths.

Human resources – top priority

At a conference on the assessment of IT, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan emphasised the importance of human resources in developing the IT sector. He said that Vietnam should be prepared to meet the demand for skilled workers.

Developing a well-qualified workforce is a key target for the project. Vietnam now needs about 100,000 people for the hardware industry and 30,000 for the software industry.

FPT President Truong Gia Binh said it is now a good time to take advantage of Vietnam’s human resources. In order to become one of the top five countries in terms of IT development, Vietnam needs well-qualified software engineers. He expressed that the country can meet the target in the next 5-10 years if it cranks up constant efforts.

Concurring with Binh’s thinking, Deputy Minister Lai said Vietnam should focus on making products with high intellectual value. He added that the country should create a breakthrough in human resources for not only the IT sector but other socio-economic sectors as well.

Assisting training schools

In October, the PM approved a VND900 billion overall plan to develop a workforce for the IT sector to 2015 with a vision towards 2020. The plan aims to ensure that 30 percent of newly graduated students will be qualified enough to work for international organisations.

Vietnam, like other countries, should base itself on a workforce coming from universities and colleges, said experienced experts from India and other IT developed countries.

According to statistics from Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), Vietnam now has 230 IT universities and colleges with 25,000 IT officials and 150,000 people working for IT companies.

However, the country does not have enough workers in the field, especially high-tech employees. Also, foreign language competency is a barrier for the development of the IT workforce. Only 10 percent of IT employees can currently use English at work.

Mr. Binh said in order to improve the quality and quantity of the IT workforce, MOET needs the close cooperation of related agencies and localities. The government should also encourage foreign investment in training human resources in IT by issuing a legal frame for businesses to follow.

Along with the concerted efforts of all businesses, the government’s support policies will provide fresh impetus for the IT sector to make a breakthrough in 2010.