'Businesses need to move from using to owning and creating technology'

The proposal was raised by Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh at the iTech Expo 2026 International Technology Exhibition taking place in Ho Chi Minh City on September 30.

Citing Resolution No. 57 of the Politburo and the Law on Digital Technology Industry, Deputy Minister Minh said that there is "an important legal corridor for the development of digital technology, semiconductor and AI industries". Thereby, science, technology and innovation are increasingly becoming an important foundation for rapid and sustainable growth.

He cited data that in the first 9 months of the year, digital technology industry revenue was estimated at more than 5 trillion VND, an increase of about 34.8% over the same period. Along with that, hardware and electronics export turnover reached about 176.82 billion USD. The country has about 82,723 digital technology enterprises with about two million digital technology workers.

"These are remarkable results, but also pose a requirement to continue improving the capacity of Vietnam's digital technology business community," Deputy Minister Minh stated.

To improve competitiveness, Deputy Minister Minh said that digital technology businesses must first be associated with improving technological capacity. Accordingly, businesses need to strongly shift from using and receiving to mastering and creating technology. According to him, sustainable competitive advantage cannot rely solely on the use of available technologies, businesses need to strengthen R&D, invest in technical staff, design capacity, product development and core technologies, gradually creating "Make in Vietnam" digital technology products and services.

In addition, the digital technology business community also needs to associate technological capacity with the capacity to develop products, solutions and expand markets. According to the Deputy Minister, mastering technology is not the final destination. Technology only truly creates value when it is transformed into products, services, platforms and solutions that can meet real needs and are accepted by the market.

Therefore, businesses need to start from the problems of industries, fields, localities and people to choose technology directions, develop products and solutions that are applicable and capable of commercialization. The Deputy Minister suggested that businesses can research, develop and commercialize products such as large language models and Vietnamese virtual assistants, AI cameras for edge processing, autonomous robots, 5G mobile network systems and equipment, and drones.

He also suggested that the digital technology business community needs to improve business capacity through links and ecosystems. In particular, large enterprises play a leading role, creating markets and posing technological problems; Small businesses and startups can participate in developing specialized products and solutions; Research institutes and universities contribute knowledge, human resources and technology; International partners expand access to technology, markets and global value chains.

"Above all, technology must be people-oriented. Digital technology products and services must be safe, reliable, easy to use, create real value for people, businesses and society, and contribute to ensuring safety, security and digital sovereignty," he said.

With the role of state management of science, technology and innovation, Deputy Minister Hoang Minh said that the Ministry of Science and Technology determines that creating a favorable environment and conditions for businesses to improve technological capacity is the focus. The Ministry will continue to improve institutions and policies, create favorable conditions for businesses to research, develop, receive, absorb, master and innovate technology, as well as promote links between businesses and research institutes and universities, and support testing, application and commercialization of technology products and solutions.

iTech Expo 2026 has the theme New Tech - Innovation Unleashed (New Technology - Unleashing innovation), organized by Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association (HCA). According to Mr. Lam Nguyen Hai Long, Chairman of HCA and head of the organizing committee, the event closely follows the spirit of Resolution 57 by expanding the space for hardware devices, network infrastructure, robotics and chip, microchip, and semiconductor ecosystems in addition to software compared to previous years.

The event takes place from September 30 to October 2, bringing together 100 exhibition booths from more than 200 domestic and foreign technology organizations and businesses. Here, they will introduce more than 1,000 products, equipment and technology solutions ready for commercialization, twice as many as by 2025. There will be 20 seminars and discussions on many technology topics, technology transfer forums for southern provinces, and international B2B trading sessions from 20 countries and territories.

Bao Lam