Photo for illustration (Source: nhadautu.vn)
The strategy’s objectives are to take full advantage of opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution; fundamentally master and widely apply new advanced technologies in different social and economic aspects; gradually develop new technologies in support of renewing Vietnam’s growth model and promoting economic restructuring in tandem with the implementation of strategic breakthroughs and national modernisation; and accelerate growth of the digital economy.
The strategy also aims for the country’s robust and sustainable development based on science-technology, innovation and high-quality human resources; improvement in life quality, social welfare and people’s well-being; firm safeguarding of national defence and security and protection of environment and eco-system; enhancement of international integration effectiveness and use of high technology in ensuring cyber security.
Under the strategy, Vietnam expects to be named among the 40 top performers in the Global Innovation Index (GII), the top 30 in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) and the top 50 in the United Nations (UN)’s e-Government Development Index (EGDI) by 2030.
The country also targets the digital economy contributing to 30% of the GDP, productivity expanding 7.5% annually in average, universal access to fiber-optic Internet and 5G services, the completion of digital government development, and the establishment of smart cities in key economic zones across the north, central and southern regions which will be connected with the regional and global networks of smart cities.
To this end, Vietnam plans to further accelerate development of infrastructure, database, and human resources; build e-Government towards a digital government; enhance national innovative capacity; develop a number of priority technologies for the active engagement in the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as robotics, advanced materials, renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), big data and blockchain. The country will also expand international cooperation and integration in science and technology, particularly priority technologies.
Additionally, the strategy is to step up the development of high-speed Internet services and secured digital infrastructure to meet demand for big data connection and processing; the application of digital technology in State governance and delivery of public services in all areas; and building of the real-time information system to support the Government’s governance and administration.
Seven more relics recognised as special national ones
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved the recognition of seven special national relics, including the architectural relic of Ha Hiep communal house in Hanoi capital city’s Phuc Tho district, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
Ha Hiep communal house in Hanoi (Photo: didulich.net)
The others include President Ho Chi Minh memorial complex in Thua Thien-Hue, Nguyen Xi tomb and temple in Nghe An, and Da Dia reef in Phu Yen in the central region; the Hiep Hoa Safety Zone II historic relic in Bac Giang and An Xa shrine in Hung Yen in the north.
The Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu’s Cai Chanh base was also named in the list.
The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local authorities are asked to manage the relics in line with the Law on Cultural Heritage.
With the new seven special national sites, Vietnam now has about 120 relics and landscapes granted with the status.
Eight groups of agricultural products surpass billions of USD in revenue
A number of local agricultural products recorded a high export revenue in excess of billions of USD during 2020, including coffee, rice, cashew nuts, fruit and vegetables, shrimp, along with wood and wood products, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
Photo for illustration (Source: VOV)
According to statistics released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, approximately eight groups of products saw export revenue exceed USD1 billion last year, including seven groups of products that posted export revenue of over USD2 billion.
In line with this, coffee reported an export revenue of USD2.5 billion, while rice saw an export revenue of USD2.8 billion. Elsewhere, cashew nuts, fruit and vegetables, shrimp, in addition to wood and wood products, recorded export revenue of USD2.9 billion, USD3 billion, USD3.4 billion, and USD8.4 billion, respectively.
Throughout the reviewed period, the United States remained the largest importer of Vietnamese agricultural products, with export revenue to the highly lucrative market reaching approximately USD9.8 billion, an annual rise of 22.3% and making up 26.2% of Vietnamese agricultural export revenue.
China came in second with export revenue of roughly USD9.2 billion, a drop of 6.6%, and accounting for 24.6% of the overall market share, while export earnings from the EU was estimated at USD3.44 billion, a decline of 0.3% and making up 9.2% of the market share./.