Top ten ICT events in 2010

The project, “To promptly turn Vietnam into a power nation in information and communication technology (ICT)” was selected as one of the top ten events of 2010 in information and communication development.

On September 22, 2010 the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications officially announced top ten ICT events in 2010.

1. The project to make Vietnam a strong developer in information and communication technology (ICT).

On September 22, 2010, The Prime Minister approved a project to turn Vietnam into a power nation in ICT. Accordingly, the project will create a major breakthrough in promoting ICT application with a focus on developing ICT human resources, broadband telecom infrastructure and ICT market.

2. The National Assembly approved the Law on Postal Services

The Law on Postal Services was adopted by the 12th NA at its seventh session on June 28, 2010 and will come into force on January 1 next year.

Along with other laws on ICT, e-transactions, publishing and other decrees, the Law on Postal Services will create a legal corridor, full and transparent mechanisms and policies in line with the real situation to promote activities concerning ICT, the media, and publishing in the process of international integration.

3. National target programme on information development in remote, mountainous, border and island areas approved

On November 10, 2010, the seventh session of the 12th NA approved a national target programme to bring information to remote, mountainous, border and island areas to bridge the gap of assessing information between rural and urban people, thereby helping speed up economic development, improve people’s cultural and spiritual lives and ensure national security and defense.

4. Telecom businesses top Vietnam’s tax payers

On September 23, the Vietnam Report Joint Stock Company (Vietnam Report) in collaboration with online newspaper VietNamNet announced the ranking of the top 1,000 largest tax payers in Vietnam. Accordingly, MobiFone was the biggest with nearly VND6,000 billion, followed by the Army Telecom Group known as Viettel.

5. Intensifying management of Internet and game online services

To limit and prevent negative impacts of games online, in 2010, the Ministry of Information and Telecommunication carried out tough measures to strictly control games online services. The Ministry worked out five solutions to inspect and deal with game online service providers as well as agents operating in this field.

Also this year, the Vietnam Internet Association was established on June 23, 2010.

6. Information security- a vital issue for institutions and businesses

The Ministry of Information and Telecommunication gave a message on information security for the first time on Vietnam Information Security Day 2010 to raise public awareness of information security and encourage the advertisement and application of ICT.

7. Biggest-ever international book fair

The third International Book Fair was held from September 17-21, 2010 to celebrate the millennial anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi. As many as 230 pavilions displayed and sold thousands of book titles, books and cultural materials concerning Thang Long-Hanoi, the Party, President Ho Chi Minh and the “Studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example” campaign.

8. ASEAN Community organised Festival of Photos-Reportage-Documentary Film

The Festival of Photos-Reportage-Documentary Films on the Countries and People in ASEAN Community 2010 on the theme “Land and people of ASEAN countries” was held for the first time in Vietnam. The event attracted nearly 7,000 entries from photographers, reporters and film makers from ASEAN member nations.

9. The first-ever Spring Press Fair held in Paris

The first-ever Spring Press Fair was held at the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Paris on February 27, 2010, attracting more than 680 publications from 400 media agencies. The event presented a new step forward Vietnam’s integration and development in international arena.

10. Vietnam winning first prize at the 39th Universal Postal Union (UPU) Letter Writing Competition

This was the first time Vietnam won the first prize after 20 years of joining the competition. The theme of the 2010 competition was: “Write a letter to someone to explain why it is important to talk about AIDS and to protect yourself against the disease.” The first prize went to Ho Thi Hien from the Tay Son junior high school in Danang. – VOV

Tags: Vietnam ICT sector, Vietnam IT industry