In a landmark engagement signaling a concerted national drive towards digital sovereignty and economic prosperity, Minister of Information and Communications (MIC) Nguyen Manh Hung convened a pivotal working session with the leadership and key personnel of CMC Corporation on the afternoon of October 25, 2023. Held at the MIC headquarters, this unprecedented meeting marked the first time in CMC’s 31-year history that its top management had a dedicated dialogue with the MIC leadership, underscoring the government’s recognition of the technology giant’s contributions and its profound trust in CMC’s potential to spearhead Vietnam’s digital future. The session saw the active participation of Deputy Ministers Nguyen Thanh Lam and Bui Hoang Phuong, alongside leaders from various MIC departments, reflecting the strategic importance placed on nurturing domestic digital champions.
An Unprecedented Engagement: MIC and CMC’s Visionary Meeting
The very invitation extended by the MIC to CMC, focusing on the corporation’s future development path and strategic orientation, speaks volumes. It serves as a clear affirmation of the Ministry’s high regard for CMC’s enduring contributions to Vietnam’s technology sector and its national development. More importantly, it conveys a strong belief that CMC is poised to evolve into a formidable digital technology enterprise, not only a household name domestically but also a prominent player on the international stage. This mutual recognition highlights a shared vision for a technologically advanced Vietnam, where indigenous companies lead the charge in innovation and global competitiveness.
The meeting commenced with a comprehensive presentation from CMC, led by Mr. Dang Tung Son, Vice Chairman in charge of strategy. A concise video clip offered a retrospective on CMC’s journey of over three decades, highlighting key milestones and achievements. Mr. Son then elaborated on the corporation’s business performance and critical activities during the first half of the fiscal year 2024. Crucially, he updated the Ministry on CMC’s ambitious development roadmap leading up to 2028, outlining a strategic vision that aims to transform the company into a global digital and AI group adhering to international standards. This blueprint includes aggressive targets: tripling revenue growth and doubling its workforce to over 10,000 employees, with a significant 40% of this talent pool dedicated to Artificial Intelligence research and development.
Charting the Future: CMC’s Ambitious 2028 Blueprint
CMC’s strategic plan for 2028 is not merely a corporate objective; it aligns intrinsically with Vietnam’s broader national digital transformation agenda. The emphasis on becoming a global digital and AI group reflects a proactive stance to leverage emerging technologies for sustainable growth and to position Vietnam as a significant player in the global digital economy. The planned increase in workforce, particularly the substantial investment in AI talent, demonstrates a clear understanding of the human capital requirements for technological leadership. This focus on AI is particularly timely, given the global surge in AI adoption and its potential to revolutionize industries and enhance national capabilities. By aiming for international standards, CMC is setting a benchmark for other Vietnamese tech companies, fostering a competitive environment that drives overall sector improvement.
The dialogue extended beyond mere reporting, delving into an in-depth exploration of how CMC can best contribute to the national cause. Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, expressing his strong conviction, articulated his hope for CMC to become a pioneering Vietnamese digital technology enterprise. He urged the company’s leadership and key personnel to embrace a renewed mindset and unwavering determination to contribute meaningfully to Vietnam’s digital transformation revolution, ultimately steering the nation towards a powerful and prosperous era. This call to action underscored the profound responsibility placed upon leading domestic enterprises to align their corporate strategies with national development objectives.
Minister Hung’s Mandate: Mastering Technology for a Developed Vietnam
A central theme of Minister Hung’s address was the imperative for Vietnam to achieve technological mastery. He explicitly referenced a statement by General Secretary To Lam, who formally declared that Vietnam must master technology, especially given that digital transformation has been identified as the essential pathway for the nation to achieve developed status. This directive is not a suggestion but a strategic imperative, recognizing that true independence and prosperity in the 21st century are inextricably linked to technological self-reliance. For CMC and other Vietnamese digital technology enterprises, mastering technology means moving beyond being mere users or integrators of foreign solutions to becoming creators and owners of core technologies.
To achieve this technological sovereignty and effectively lead the nation’s digital transformation process, Minister Hung recommended a clear strategic path for CMC and other Vietnamese digital tech companies: substantial investment in research and development (R&D). He emphasized the need to prioritize owning applications and gradually progressing towards owning core technologies. This means allocating significant resources – both financial and human – to innovation, product development, and the creation of intellectual property that can drive Vietnam’s digital economy. Such an approach not only builds domestic capability but also reduces reliance on external technologies, bolstering national security and economic resilience.
Minister Hung articulated that now is the opportune moment for CMC to declare itself as one of the leading, large, and international digital technology enterprises. He challenged CMC to transcend domestic recognition and achieve global prominence. To realize these ambitious goals – to be "leading, large, and international" – he asserted that there is no alternative but for CMC to undertake significant projects, those intrinsically linked to national missions, and execute them with utmost dedication and excellence. "If an enterprise wants to grow big, wants to thrive alongside the nation, then it must tie itself to national missions," Minister Hung stated, encapsulating the symbiotic relationship between corporate success and national destiny.
Navigating the Digital Frontier: Strategic Directives for Growth and Impact
The four-hour working session was characterized by an open and thorough exchange, with Minister Hung, the Deputy Ministers, and other MIC leaders dedicating a significant portion of their time to addressing CMC’s proposals and concerns. They provided in-depth answers, offered strategic guidance, and proposed concrete areas of focus for CMC in the coming period. This proactive engagement from the Ministry demonstrated a commitment to actively support and facilitate the growth of key domestic tech players.
Regarding practical challenges, such as streamlining investment procedures for new submarine fiber optic cable landing stations, the MIC leadership provided specific guidance. They advised CMC to thoroughly understand the provisions of the revised Land Law and engage with the Telecommunications Authority. This collaboration would enable the MIC to propose to the Prime Minister a directive for provinces to plan land use for submarine cable landing stations, thereby enhancing the resilience of Vietnam’s international telecommunications network and ensuring national security. This detailed, hands-on approach by the Ministry highlights its role as a facilitator and problem-solver for the industry.
Addressing CMC’s concerns about identifying new growth areas or "development spaces," Minister Hung offered insightful perspectives. He suggested that beyond seeking "green ocean" spaces—untapped, less competitive markets—where no one has yet ventured, companies should also consider innovating within existing, "red ocean" spaces. The key, he emphasized, lies in adopting fresh, unique, and distinctive approaches. "Fields within the ICT sector such as telecommunications, digital technology, digital infrastructure, and cybersecurity are always new," Minister Hung remarked. "Therefore, the industry doesn’t need to overthink finding new spaces. The question is whether the enterprise dares to do it, and whether it does it thoroughly!" This statement serves as both an encouragement and a challenge, urging companies to be bold and committed in their endeavors.
Minister Hung further advised that as a large enterprise, CMC should concentrate on developing foundational, infrastructural components like Cloud services and Data Centers, as well as foundational software. These are critical building blocks upon which other companies can "stand," fostering a robust and interconnected digital ecosystem. By providing these essential services, CMC can empower countless other businesses and individuals, driving widespread digital adoption and innovation.
In the crucial area of Artificial Intelligence development, Minister Hung’s counsel for CMC, and indeed for all Vietnamese digital technology enterprises, was to focus on "narrow AI," "specialized AI," "customized AI," and AI tailored for individuals and specific enterprises. This strategic direction encourages a pragmatic approach, leveraging AI for specific applications and problem-solving rather than attempting to compete directly with global giants in general-purpose AI. He even suggested that companies could develop AI platforms that allow individuals and organizations to train their own virtual assistants by feeding in their proprietary data. This emphasis on specialized, context-aware AI solutions can create significant value and competitive advantages in niche markets.
Furthermore, Minister Hung stressed the importance of CMC developing proprietary technology products that forge its corporate brand identity. Before offering digital transformation services to other enterprises, he urged CMC to undergo its own internal digital transformation first. This "practice what you preach" approach ensures that CMC gains firsthand experience, understanding the nuances and challenges of digital transformation, which will in turn make it more effective in assisting other businesses. "Through internal digital transformation, the enterprise will learn many things, understand what digital transformation truly entails, and then it will be easier to implement digital transformation for other enterprises," he explained.
The Ministry’s Role: A Steadfast Partner for Digital Enterprises
Minister Hung reiterated that the MIC always views itself as the "home" for Vietnamese digital technology enterprises, a place where companies can seek advice, share difficulties, and receive support. This commitment highlights the government’s understanding that the growth of the digital economy hinges on a supportive regulatory and policy environment. The Ministry acknowledges that if digital technology enterprises do not thrive, neither will the Ministry nor the broader sector, and the national digital transformation agenda cannot be successfully realized. This candid admission underscores the collaborative spirit between the government and the private sector in achieving shared national goals.
To underscore this partnership, Minister Hung presented Mr. Nguyen Trung Chinh, Chairman of CMC, with two significant books: "Information and Communications Industry" and "Digital Transformation Overview: Strategy & Roadmap." These gifts symbolize not only guidance but also the shared intellectual foundation for navigating the complexities of the digital age.
Broader Implications: Elevating Vietnam’s Digital Stature
The strategic dialogue between the MIC and CMC holds significant implications for Vietnam’s overall digital transformation journey. It signals a governmental push for domestic enterprises to take a leading role in shaping the nation’s digital future, emphasizing self-reliance and technological sovereignty. This approach is crucial for a rapidly developing country like Vietnam, which aims to become a high-income nation by 2045. By fostering strong domestic tech companies, Vietnam can ensure that its digital infrastructure and services are tailored to its specific needs and securely managed within its borders.
The focus on foundational technologies like Cloud and Data Centers aligns with global trends where digital infrastructure is the backbone of the modern economy. For Vietnam, strengthening this infrastructure means enhanced data security, improved service delivery, and a more resilient digital ecosystem. The strategic direction towards specialized AI also reflects a pragmatic understanding of global AI development, allowing Vietnamese companies to carve out niches where they can excel and add unique value. This could lead to innovative solutions in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and smart cities, which are critical for national development.
Economically, empowering domestic tech champions like CMC can lead to significant job creation, attract further investment in the tech sector, and contribute substantially to the national GDP. It also positions Vietnam as a more attractive destination for foreign direct investment in technology, as a robust local ecosystem reduces risks and offers skilled talent. Furthermore, successful international expansion by Vietnamese companies will elevate the country’s brand on the global stage, showcasing its intellectual capital and technological prowess.
Looking Ahead: Collaborative Pathways to Digital Excellence
In his closing remarks, Mr. Nguyen Trung Chinh expressed profound gratitude to Minister Hung, the Deputy Ministers, and the entire MIC leadership for their insightful contributions and dedicated support. He reaffirmed CMC’s commitment, stating that beyond its corporate development goals, the CMC team is deeply motivated to contribute to the nation’s progress, to project Vietnamese intelligence onto the global stage, and to affirm Vietnam’s position internationally. This sentiment reflects a strong sense of corporate social responsibility and national pride that is increasingly becoming a hallmark of leading Vietnamese enterprises.
Acknowledging the challenging yet inspiring development goals that have been set, Mr. Chinh humbly requested the continued companionship, support, guidance, and assistance from the Ministry of Information and Communications. This plea for ongoing partnership underscores the collaborative model envisioned for Vietnam’s digital future, where government and industry work hand-in-hand to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities. The synergy between policy-making and corporate innovation will be critical in realizing Vietnam’s ambitious vision of becoming a powerful, prosperous, and technologically advanced nation in the digital era. The meeting between the MIC and CMC thus stands as a testament to a shared commitment to building a digitally sovereign and prosperous Vietnam, driven by homegrown innovation and strategic collaboration.
