Hanoi, Vietnam – On April 13, 2024, the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) hosted the prestigious Sao Khue Awards ceremony, a hallmark event celebrating excellence and innovation within Vietnam’s burgeoning information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Marking its 21st year, the awards, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), underscored the nation’s remarkable journey in digital transformation and its commitment to fostering a vibrant digital economy. The event brought together leading figures from government, industry, and academia to acknowledge the groundbreaking achievements of Vietnamese enterprises and to chart the strategic course for future technological advancement, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI).
A Legacy of Excellence: Celebrating Two Decades of ICT Growth
The Sao Khue Awards have long stood as a beacon of recognition for Vietnam’s ICT industry, acknowledging the substantial contributions of businesses and individuals to the sector’s rapid development. Since its inception in 2003, the awards have played a pivotal role in identifying and promoting high-quality, effective, and trusted Vietnamese IT products and solutions, thereby catalyzing the adoption and application of information technology across various facets of society and economy.
Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Bui Hoang Phuong, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the enduring prestige of the Sao Khue Awards. He lauded the awards for consistently mirroring the dynamic evolution of Vietnam’s ICT landscape over more than two decades. "The Sao Khue Awards have not only honored excellent products and services but, more importantly, have recounted inspiring stories for the community and businesses in this field, contributing significantly to the development of Vietnam’s ICT industry," Deputy Minister Phuong stated, highlighting the award’s dual role as both a validator of achievement and a source of inspiration.
Deputy Minister Phuong also provided a concise overview of the global technological shifts that have reshaped industries worldwide. Drawing insights from a recent trip to the United States, he specifically highlighted the escalating global interest in emerging technologies such as blockchain and, more predominantly, artificial intelligence. He affirmed Vietnam’s active and enthusiastic participation in these profound global technological transformations. Over the past two decades, Vietnam’s ICT sector has undergone a robust metamorphosis, showcasing remarkable growth metrics. Notably, the industry’s total revenue in 2023 surged to approximately 240 times the figure recorded in 2000. This explosive growth translates to an average annual revenue increase of 15-20%, a rate that significantly outpaces the country’s overall GDP growth. This sustained expansion underscores the ICT sector’s role as a vital engine for national economic development.
The journey of the Sao Khue Awards has paralleled this national transformation. It has meticulously tracked the industry’s progression from a primary focus on information technology to a broader emphasis on comprehensive digital transformation. Furthermore, it has championed a strategic shift from relying heavily on foreign technologies and products to prioritizing "Make in Vietnam" digital products and solutions. This policy initiative, aimed at fostering domestic innovation and self-reliance, has empowered Vietnamese companies to develop proprietary technologies that compete effectively on both national and international stages. Concurrently, the awards have witnessed the evolution of Vietnamese tech enterprises, many of which have expanded their operations from primarily domestic activities to successfully penetrating global markets, demonstrating the growing international competitiveness of the "Make in Vietnam" brand.
Sao Khue 2024: A Testament to Innovation and AI Integration
Nguyen Van Khoa, Chairman of VINASA, elaborated on the strategic adjustments made to the Sao Khue Awards for 2024. These modifications were designed to align with the overarching directives from the Government and the Ministry of Information and Communications, specifically aiming to galvanize creative innovation among businesses. The entire structure of the award categories, evaluation criteria, and focus areas for IT products, platforms, services, and solutions underwent a comprehensive overhaul to reflect the contemporary landscape of digital transformation and emerging technologies.
Following a rigorous three-round selection process, the 2024 awards honored 169 outstanding nominations from 117 enterprises across eight distinct categories. This diverse cohort of awardees showcased the breadth and depth of innovation within Vietnam’s digital ecosystem. Among the recognized achievements were:
- Three exceptional initiatives in government and public administration digital transformation, streamlining public services and governance.
- Thirteen initiatives focused on improving community culture and quality of life, demonstrating technology’s social impact.
- Thirty entries dedicated to stimulating market growth and consumer engagement, reflecting robust commercial innovation.
- Twenty-eight solutions for enterprise and organizational digital transformation, enhancing operational efficiency and competitiveness.
- Seventeen contributions supporting major economic sectors, illustrating technology’s role in industrial modernization.
- Twenty-two outstanding technology platforms and infrastructure solutions, forming the backbone of the digital economy.
- Twenty-three excellent digital services, highlighting service innovation and customer experience.
- Thirty-three innovative and creative products and projects, pushing the boundaries of technological possibility.
A special highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of 11 entries with the coveted "Sao Khue 5-star" designation, signifying exemplary quality and impact. Furthermore, ten exceptional technology products and solutions were celebrated as "Top 10 Sao Khue 2024." These "Top 10" awardees spanned a wide array of critical sectors, including government and public administration, enterprise management, industrial production, agriculture and food processing, automotive, digital banking, fintech, retail and distribution, and digital value, illustrating the pervasive influence of digital technology across the economy. One notable example among the "Top 10" was the "Thua Thien-Hue Digital Workplace Platform," underscoring the success of digital solutions in local governance.
Chairman Khoa underscored that the 2024 awards powerfully demonstrated the innovative zeal of Vietnamese enterprises and the robust development of the digital technology application market. While eight specialized AI platforms and solutions were specifically recognized, a striking revelation was that nearly 90% of all awarded products and services incorporated AI applications to support businesses, organizations, and citizens. This statistic vividly illustrates the widespread integration of AI as a foundational layer across diverse digital offerings, transforming functionalities and user experiences. Beyond AI, the awards also celebrated 33 new products and solutions that showcased a rich tapestry of technological innovation, leveraging core technologies such as cloud computing, 3D modeling, and Big Data analytics to address a multitude of sectoral needs. The focus on global market penetration was also evident, with 15 out of 23 excellent digital services recognized for their export potential, demonstrating the growing international ambition and capability of Vietnamese digital service providers.
Government’s Forward-Looking Strategy: Embracing AI as a Core Driver
Looking ahead, Deputy Minister Bui Hoang Phuong reiterated the Ministry of Information and Communications’ strategic direction for 2024, emphasizing that the ICT sector is poised for continued profound shifts. The MIC’s guiding principle for the year is: "Popularize digital infrastructure, create digital applications to develop the digital economy – a new driver for economic growth and labor productivity." This overarching vision signals a concerted effort to expand digital access and capabilities nationwide, ensuring that technological advancements translate directly into tangible economic benefits and improved national productivity.
Deputy Minister Phuong unequivocally identified AI as the single most critical technology in the current era. Consequently, the MIC is committed to aggressively promoting and developing AI applications throughout 2024. This initiative will specifically focus on "narrow AI," which involves AI systems designed to perform a specific task, aiming to create practical AI applications tailored for every industrial sector. The Ministry plans to facilitate the provision and widespread adoption of these AI solutions, thereby embedding intelligent capabilities into various economic and social processes. "The Ministry of Information and Communications looks forward to and is ready to collaborate with Vietnamese digital technology businesses to vigorously promote the application of AI in the coming time," Deputy Minister Phuong affirmed, signaling a strong partnership between the government and the private sector.
In support of this ambitious agenda, the Ministry of Information and Communications has pledged its continuous commitment to cultivating and refining the legal framework governing the ICT sector. This includes ongoing efforts to create a conducive regulatory environment that fosters innovation, protects data, and encourages investment. Furthermore, the Ministry vowed to continue its unwavering support, creating optimal conditions and assistance for the production, business operations, and overall development of Vietnamese IT enterprises. This holistic approach aims to provide a stable and fertile ground for the industry to flourish, innovate, and expand its global footprint.
Legacy and Future Trajectory: Shaping Vietnam’s Digital Destiny
Since its establishment in 2003, the Sao Khue Awards have become an integral part of Vietnam’s technological narrative, honoring a cumulative total of 1,715 individuals, businesses, products, services, and outstanding digital technology solutions. Beyond the ceremony itself, the organizing committee actively promotes the award-winning products and solutions. This post-award support includes showcasing these excellent "Sao Khue 2024" offerings to over 5,000 government agencies, organizations, and businesses, effectively creating market linkages and encouraging widespread adoption. This sustained promotional effort ensures that the recognized innovations reach potential users, driving demand and further integrating digital solutions into the national fabric.
The Sao Khue Awards thus represent more than just an annual celebration; they are a strategic instrument for national digital development. They reflect Vietnam’s growing confidence and capability in the global technology arena, transitioning from a recipient of technology to a creator and exporter of innovative digital solutions. The emphasis on "Make in Vietnam" products, the pervasive integration of AI, and the explicit government backing for digital transformation and AI adoption, all point towards a future where Vietnam aims to solidify its position as a dynamic hub for digital technology, contributing significantly to its own economic prosperity and offering valuable innovations to the international community. The inspiring stories unveiled at the Sao Khue Awards serve as powerful testaments to the ingenuity and resilience of Vietnam’s digital technology businesses, paving the way for a future driven by innovation and digital excellence.
