A view of a modern urban area in southern Phu Quoc Island, An Giang province. (Photo: VNA)

Phu Quoc special zone advances toward smart urban centre

To serve both the two-tier local government operations and the APEC 2027 Leaders’ Week, An Giang is implementing a major tech infrastructure project on Phu Quoc Island, with a total investment of 500 billion VND (19.1 million USD).

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung chairs the first meeting of the inter-agency task force for coordinating smart city construction and development in Hanoi on July 16. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM urges stronger push for smart city development

The Deputy PM applauded the task force’s preparation, stressing that smart urban development is not a choice but an inevitable trend for countries aiming for sustainable growth, improving the quality of life for people, and strengthening urban governance and operation.

The Government sets a target to allocate 3% of the total budget expenditure to science and technology in 2025. (Photo: VNA)

More opportunities offered for investors in science, technology

Public-private partnerships are expected to create positive synergy, while also placing greater responsibility on private investors in managing and developing projects. This approach helps ensure the effective use of public funds to advance science and technology, foster innovation, and drive digital transformation.

Nguyen Thanh Lam, head of the Quang Trung Software City (QTSC)'s Cybersecurity Centre, speaks at the workshop. (Photo: VNA)

AI brings breakthrough opportunities, cybersecurity risks, experts warn

A report from Fortinet in June revealed that automated scanning attempts had surged to 36,000 per second, a 17% increase from the previous year. Alarmingly, 42% of these were account takeover attacks, and leaks involving 1.7 billion sets of credentials. In Vietnam, data from the National Cybersecurity Association showed that 659,000 cyberattacks were recorded in 2024, affecting approximately 46.15% of government agencies and enterprises.

Digital transformation solutions are displayed in Ho Chi Minh City in response to National Digital Transformation Day. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

AI offers breakthrough opportunities for businesses

Under the Poliburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, Vietnam aims to be among the top three ASEAN countries and the top 50 globally in AI development by 2030.

Visitors to the International Technology Expo 2025 (iTech Expo 2025)in HCM City (Photo: VNA)

iTech Expo 2025 opens in HCM City with over 120 booths

Showcased technologies include AI, IoT, Big Data, drones, robotics, Holobox, and sector-specific solutions such as EdTech, AgriTech, FinTech, and cybersecurity. A dedicated zone for startups also forms part of the exhibition.

Nguyen Van Duoc (middle), Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, holds a working session with Sarah Kemp (4th from left), Vice President of International Government Affairs at Intel Corporation on July 8. (Photo: VNA)

HCM City, Intel cooperate in training AI human resources

Kenneth Tse, General Director of Intel Vietnam, noted that in nearly 20 years of operations in the country, Intel Vietnam has exported over 4 billion products, contributing more than 100 billion USD to Vietnam’s export revenue.

Can Tho holds a working session with the GenAI Fund to promote digital transformation through artificial intelligence (AI) in the city, July 8, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Can Tho, GenAI Fund team up for AI-driven transformation

The fund plans to assist Can Tho through a comprehensive set of initiatives such as the “Digital Transformation for All” programme to promote digital literacy; AI training for public officials and businesses; startup incubation and co-investment; and financial support for AI research and innovation. Additional support includes providing free working spaces for AI developers and formulating a region-specific AI strategy.

Organisations and individuals engaging in public-private partnerships for scientific research, technological development, innovation, and digital transformation are eligible for various forms of State incentives and support. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Vietnam sets out incentives for PPPs in sci-tech development

Key areas eligible for PPPs include high and strategic technologies; infrastructure for the research, development, and application of high and strategic technologies; and digital infrastructure supporting the digital economy, digital society, and digital government.

The position of CATI-VLM in the Document Visual Question Answering (DocVQA) rankings for June (Photo: CMC)

Vietnam’s new AI model masters complex document analysis

CATI-VLM is an AI model for document reading that has already claimed a spot among the world’s elite, ranking first in Vietnam and among the top 12 globally in the Document Visual Question Answering (DocVQA) category of the Robust Reading Competition (RRC) in June 2025.

Illustrative photo (Photo: Internet)

Data-driven science, technology, innovation given special incentives

In addition, the decree encourages the development of research centres focused on data science and innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, blockchain, data communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and other advanced technologies in order to build, develop, protect, manage, process, and utilise data effectively.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Canada Pham Vinh Quang speaks at the 79th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day, last September. (Illustrative image: VNA)

Network of Vietnamese scientists, experts in Canada makes debut

Vietnam–Canada relations continue to flourish, with science and technology listed among the seven priority areas of bilateral cooperation. The launch of the Canadian Vietnamese Scholars and Experts Network is expected to contribute to advancing joint innovation and R&D cooperation between the two countries.