FOUR PRIORITIES FOR VIETNAM-AUSTRALIA COOPERATION IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND AI

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh called for selecting projects based on actual needs, linking research with commercialization, ensuring the effective operation of the V-Bridge platform, and clearly defining responsibilities and implementation timelines. The aim is to turn commitments to cooperate in digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors into concrete products, projects and investment opportunities.

At the Vietnam-Australia forum on investment and development cooperation in digital technology and AI, held in Hanoi on October 12, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh outlined measures to promote practical, measurable and sustainable bilateral cooperation.

According to Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh, Vietnam sees science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as drivers of productivity, higher-quality growth and competitiveness. Therefore, international cooperation must go beyond connecting experts or signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs). It should help companies strengthen their technological capabilities, develop human resources, create products that meet market demand and participate more deeply in value chains.

4 Priorities for Technology Cooperation

First, select projects based on actual needs, with clear outputs and commercialization prospects

Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh called on the Department of Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence (DDA) to work with relevant agencies to identify needs that partners are ready to address and select priority projects based on data access, testing conditions, implementation capacity, available resources and commercialization prospects.

Importantly, the parties must agree on objectives and evaluation methods from the outset. For projects aimed at improving productivity, baseline data must be available to measure progress. For new product development projects, the intended users, quality requirements and conditions for bringing products to market must be clearly defined.

This approach places investment efficiency and practical applications at the center of cooperation. Companies should not act merely as technology recipients but should help define problems, organize testing and assess whether research results can be applied in production and business operations.

Second, link research and product development with human resource training and clarify how results will be used

Expanding Market Opportunities for Digital Technology Firms

Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh called on research institutes, universities and companies to participate from the problem-definition stage to ensure that research aligns with market requirements and that personnel are prepared to develop and operate technologies.

For AI, cooperation programs should focus on data quality, reliability and the ability to control results. In semiconductors, potential areas of cooperation include chip design, design verification, support for pilot production and testing, depending on the capabilities and resources of the parties.

In addition, expert exchanges, engineer training and research mentoring must be tied to specific tasks within each project to build teams capable of continuing the work after the programs end.

Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh also called on the parties to agree from the outset on intellectual property rights, data use, testing responsibilities and how results will be used. These arrangements are essential to reducing obstacles, protecting the interests of all parties and facilitating investment in research and technology development.

Third, operate V-Bridge to create concrete opportunities for cooperation and investment

Regarding the V-Bridge platform launched at the forum, the Deputy Minister assigned DDA to work with the Vietnam-Australia Scholars & Experts Association (VASEA) and FPT Corporation to develop an operating plan, designate support contacts and establish performance evaluation criteria.

Accordingly, information on technological capabilities, market needs and cooperation opportunities must be kept up to date and verifiable. After partners are connected, they should continue to receive support with technical, commercial and investment discussions, as well as assistance in resolving implementation difficulties.

The platform's effectiveness must be demonstrated through concrete results, such as partner meetings, project proposals, joint testing activities, contracts and investment opportunities arising from these connections.

Fourth, designate clear focal points and link accountability to implementation timelines and results

Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh assigned DDA to serve as the focal point and work with units under the Ministry, VASEA, FPT, research institutes, universities and companies to develop a plan to implement the MoU following the forum.

The plan must clearly identify priority projects, participating partners, each party's responsibilities, expected resources, deliverables and evaluation milestones. DDA is responsible for monitoring progress, identifying obstacles, coordinating solutions within its authority and reporting issues that require the Ministry's direction.

The Ministry of Science and Technology will direct its units to provide policy guidance, mobilize and connect resources, and coordinate efforts to resolve difficulties within their respective areas of responsibility, in accordance with applicable laws and the conditions of each project.

Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh called for VASEA and the Vietnamese intellectual and expert community in Australia to play a greater role in connecting the two countries. Their understanding of the research and business landscapes in both countries can help identify suitable partners, connect resources and support projects from planning through implementation.

He also made clear that the success of cooperation would be measured by results after the forum, including launched projects, established research teams, tested products and realized investment opportunities.

Source: VCCI