On the afternoon of July 30, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung and VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong signed a Cooperation Agreement to support the promotion of investment and trade for "Make in Vietnam" digital technology products to serve digital transformation, digital economy development, and digital society for the period 2024-2026, with a vision to 2030.

Following the signing, the two officials discussed ways to help Vietnamese businesses undergo digital transformation. According to Minister Hung, the National Digital Transformation Program has entered its fifth year. From four years of implementation experience, the Ministry of Information and Communications has concluded that the first step for digital transformation is for the head of an organization or business to issue a regulation requiring employees to input their work data into a digital environment.

Once all information is digitized, leaders only need to provide directives. The processing of data will then be handled by Vietnamese digital technology enterprises using technologies such as AI. If done this way, digital transformation is not difficult and can be implemented with a single administrative decision.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that the key aspect of digital transformation is the "transformation" itself. Only the leader has enough credibility and authority to change habits and working methods, mobilize resources, and bear the costs of the transformation process. This makes digital transformation easier as it relies on just one individual.

"Mr. Cong must first undergo digital transformation within VCCI, understand it, experience it, and feel it before calling on Vietnamese businesses to transform digitally. For digital transformation to succeed, the leader must truly want to do it, personally engage in it, and proficiently use it," stressed Minister Hung.

If VCCI declares and successfully implements digital transformation, it will inspire and build confidence among associations and businesses in Vietnam. The Ministry of Information and Communications will help VCCI achieve comprehensive digital transformation within three months.

After VCCI successfully transforms digitally, the Ministry of Information and Communications and VCCI will officially implement the signed agreement, calling for 1 million Vietnamese businesses to transform digitally, thereby creating a market for Vietnamese digital technology enterprises.

According to Pham Tan Cong, VCCI recognizes that digital transformation is an opportunity for economic growth and business development. For technology enterprises, digital transformation is a market, while for other businesses, it enhances competitiveness and economic efficiency.

"I have long wanted and believed in digital transformation but was unsure where to start due to unresolved old issues and concerns," said VCCI President.

With Minister Nguyen Manh Hung's passionate insights, Pham Tan Cong felt more assured and knew where to begin the digital transformation. Throughout its 60-year history, VCCI has always embraced a pioneering spirit. Therefore, VCCI's leader affirmed the organization's readiness to lead and embrace digital transformation.

Under the cooperation agreement, the Ministry of Information and Communications will advise and support the development of digital transformation strategies, plans, and programs for VCCI. VCCI will propose solutions, environments, and policies to support the market for Vietnamese digital technology enterprises.

According to Nguyen Khac Lich, Director of the Authority of Information Technology and Communications Industry (Ministry of Information and Communications), the cooperation agreement also includes support for promoting trade and investment in "Make in Vietnam" digital technology products, solutions, and services for digital transformation and development of the digital economy and society in the domestic market.

Annually, based on practical needs, the Ministry of Information and Communications will provide a list of exemplary "Make in Vietnam" digital technology solutions and services for VCCI to consult and implement.

VCCI will conduct surveys and research on the needs of member businesses regarding digital technology products, solutions, and services, and transfer the results to the Ministry of Information and Communications for Vietnamese digital technology enterprises to research and design suitable products and solutions.

Both parties will jointly promote and disseminate the initiative to develop Vietnamese digital technology enterprises and "Make in Vietnam" digital products, solutions, and services. Annually, they will organize events, forums, and seminars to connect supply and demand, introducing exemplary Vietnamese digital technology products to the business community.

VCCI will select and order ten exemplary "Make in Vietnam" digital technology products in ten fields for pilot implementation to serve digital transformation.

As part of the important cooperation agreement, the Ministry of Information and Communications will compile a database of Vietnamese enterprises providing digital technology solutions and services to foreign markets and those with potential investment needs abroad to coordinate with VCCI in providing support.

VCCI will assist businesses in registering intellectual property rights and transferring technology abroad, researching and surveying markets, connecting and introducing trade partners, providing information, guidance, and consultation, and supporting trade and investment promotion activities.

At the event, VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong affirmed that the development and growth of Vietnamese digital technology enterprises are crucial, contributing to the national digital transformation mission. Vietnamese digital technology enterprises are among the important national business groups that need to be promoted and supported amid the nationwide digital transformation, economic development, and social digitization.

"VCCI is ready to support 'Make in Vietnam' digital technology products to enhance competitiveness and business efficiency, meeting the requirements to promote digital transformation, economic development, and social digitization," emphasized the VCCI chair.

Trong Dat