Only 35.2% of enterprises and agencies in Vietnam are prepared for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), according to a survey of the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA).

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam (C) visits an IT display stand at the Vietnam ICT Summit 2017

At the Vietnam ICT Summit 2017 with the theme “Vietnam - Digital Transformation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution” held yesterday by VINASA, VINASA chairman Truong Gia Binh said 4IR had begun impacting on many social and economic aspects in the world, including Vietnam.

VINASA has surveyed 275 agencies and enterprises participating in the Vietnam ICT Summit 2017 to examine challenges and opportunities of 4IR for Vietnamese enterprises.

Results of the survey showed 4IR-ready entities are mainly banks and information technology (IT) firms. Up to 58.7% of respondents said they have learned about it but had done nothing to prepare for it and 6.1% said they knew no information about and did no preparations for it.

Agencies, organizations and businesses surveyed proposed Vietnam should focus on developing IT, tourism, agriculture, finance-banking and logistics.

Regarding Vietnam’s advantages in 4IR, most respondents chose human resources, the Government’s awareness and determination, and IT and telecom infrastructure.

To make the most of those advantages, Vietnam needs to implement more manpower training programs, step up digital transformation, and fuel the startup movement.

On May 4, the Prime Minister issued a directive urging the country to get ready for 4IR. State-owned enterprises should pioneer in getting prepared for this industrial revolution, Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan said.

Tuan said his ministry will carry out numerous 4IR-related activities. The ministry expects relevant agencies and ministries will join forces to point out challenges and opportunities of the revolution.

The ministry will also coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training, and IT associations and businesses to develop the IT workforce.

Moreover, the ministry will cooperate with enterprises to organize seminars to equip young engineers and students with necessary knowledge of 4IR and build IT labs. The ministry expects the country can apply advanced technologies to produce high-quality and competitive products.

In addition to the support of the Government and State management agencies, the active participation of individuals and enterprises in the IT sector is crucial. The ministry called for experts and businesses to promote technology application and ensure information security.

The ministry always supports businesses and organizations to get ready for 4IR, Tuan said, adding the ministry will come up with recommendations to build IT policies.

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam called for enterprises and government agencies to apply new technology in production and management.

SGT