Vietnam - Laos expand digital transformation cooperation through practical approach
Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that digital transformation cooperation between Vietnam and Laos should take practical problems as the center, viewing digital technology as an effective, low-cost tool to promote socio-economic development and improve governance capacity.
This afternoon (16 January), Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung held a bilateral meeting with the Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Santisouk Simmalavong on the sidelines of the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting.
The working session focused on specific cooperation in science, technology, and digital transformation, with a focus on human resource training and sharing practical implementation experiences.
Problem-centered approach to drive digital transformation
Speaking at the meeting, the Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Santisouk Simmalavong expressed his gratitude to Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung for receiving the delegation and congratulated Vietnam on successfully hosting the ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting.
Minister Santisouk Simmalavong highly appreciated Vietnam's increasing role and position in the regional digital field, stating that Vietnam's achievements in digital transformation are creating inspiration and confidence for ASEAN countries, including Laos.
Minister Santisouk Simmalavong affirmed: “Vietnam and Laos share a long-standing traditional friendship. We consider Vietnam as family and are very proud to learn from Vietnam's valuable experiences in digital transformation”.
The Lao Minister of Technology and Communications also noted that Laos is particularly interested in cybersecurity, frequency cooperation, and human resource development, while acknowledging Vietnam's effective support through training institutions and specialized organizations.
From the Vietnamese side, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung shared his personal feelings when cooperating with Laos: “Every time I go to Laos, it feels like coming home. When it comes to cooperation with Laos, Vietnam in general and the Ministry of Science and Technology in particular have no barriers. If the Minister needs anything, just tell us, we are ready to provide our full support”.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung argued that the digital field possesses characteristics very different from traditional infrastructure sectors. While building transport roads or bringing electricity to remote areas requires massive resources, digital transformation can yield high efficiency at a relatively low cost.
“Vietnam currently spends about 1% of its budget on digital technology, but the resulting efficiency is immense, much like building roads or pulling power lines”, the Minister said.
From that reality, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung also emphasized Vietnam's approach to digital technology development: “Countries often say AI first, but Vietnam says problem first, AI second. Digital technology does not develop for the sake of technology, but develops because it is used to solve problems”.
According to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, the fact that developing nations have many problems to solve actually creates a major advantage in digital technology development.
Training cooperation, digital enterprises, and resource sharing
A content discussed in depth during the meeting was digital human resource development.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung suggested that Laos should not be overly concerned about the human resource problem, as it can be approached in more flexible and effective ways.
“If Laos has a difficult technology problem, it can be brought to Vietnam, along with Lao officials, for us to solve together using the budget of the Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology. Having the problem is more important than having the money”, the Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized.
Regarding training, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung proposed strengthening cooperation through the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology, especially through online and skill-based training models.
According to the Minister, the digital university model allows learners to work while studying, reducing costs and quickly forming a team of IT engineers.
“With only about 2,000 USD, one can obtain a university degree, but more importantly, learners can still work and do not have to travel far to rent housing”, the Minister shared.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung also believed that in the digital era, it is not necessary for everyone to undergo long-term university education. When a specific skill is needed, quick training and certification can be provided, making learning more practical.
“In the digital age, asking is more important than learning. Just do it first; if you don't understand, ask AI, and then learn more deeply during the process”, the Minister stated.
Notably, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung also shared a different perspective on organizational apparatus and personnel: “For civil servants, it is not essential to be experts in technical specialties. Technical tasks can be handled by AI, while officials need to be close to the people and understand them, because AI cannot do that”.
According to the Minister, in the new context, ethics, attitude, and the spirit of serving the people are equally important, if not more important, than pure professional capacity.
On the Lao side, Minister of Technology and Communications Santisouk Simmalavong stated that he was deeply impressed by Minister Nguyen Manh Hung’s insights, especially the problem-centered approach.
“We wish to learn from Vietnam's experience in AI development and digital transformation”, Minister Santisouk Simmalavong said, while cordially inviting Minister Nguyen Manh Hung to attend the Lao Digital Week this year.
In response, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed that Vietnam is ready to send a delegation and suggested that Laos invite more Vietnamese digital technology enterprises to attend and organize exhibitions of technological solutions, thereby promoting substantive cooperation between the two countries' businesses.
The working session showed that Vietnam - Laos digital transformation cooperation is being approached in a very practical, flexible manner based on mutual trust.
In this context, digital technology is not seen as a distant field but as a concrete tool to solve development problems, contributing to socio-economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for the people of both nations./.
Copyright belongs to the Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology (VJST-MOST).