Vietnam’s Prime Minister Engages Top Tech and Tourism Executives for Collaboration
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recently convened with top-level executives from Visa, Amazon Web Services, and Trip.com to discuss potential collaborations and investments in Vietnam’s burgeoning digital and tourism sectors. This move is a testament to the nation’s commitment to fostering its startup ecosystems, digital transformation, and innovation, specifically in the realm of electronic payments.
Visa’s Investment in Vietnam
Visa, with its two-decade presence in Vietnam, regards the nation as a critical market and aims to intensify its role in the country’s digital evolution. The Prime Minister praised Visa’s long-term investment and encouraged it to collaborate with Vietnamese institutions such as the National Innovation Centre and the State Bank of Vietnam.
Amazon’s Role in Vietnam’s Digital Transformation
In his meeting with Michael Punke, Vice President of Amazon Web Services, Prime Minister Chinh sought Amazon’s expertise in digital transformation, cloud computing, and network security. Amazon, with its offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, expressed its commitment to assisting Vietnamese businesses across various sectors via cloud services and expressed an interest in collaborating on cloud computing policies. Punke also urged Vietnam to adopt open policies to facilitate digital commerce and cross-border data.
Trip.com’s Involvement in Vietnam’s Tourism Sector
During his engagement with Trip.com CEO Jane Sun, Prime Minister Chinh requested the travel services company’s support for Vietnamese SMEs, particularly in innovating and enhancing their tourism offerings. Sun suggested that Vietnam improve its infrastructure, relax visa policies, and train human resources to bolster the tourism industry.
Vietnam’s digital economy, specifically e-commerce, has been identified as a significant growth driver. With an e-commerce retail market projected to reach $20.5 billion in 2023, the country is ripe for investment. The Prime Minister emphasized Vietnam’s potential and advantages for technological development and innovative breakthroughs, making the country a reliable partner in the global semiconductor, automotive technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) value chains.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s recent engagements with global tech giants and the tourism industry leaders indicate Vietnam’s strategic direction towards digitalization and innovation. With multinational companies showing keen interest in the country’s digital and tourism sectors, Vietnam is well on its way to becoming a significant player in the international digital and tourism landscapes.