Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Pereric Hogberg speaking at the event
The forum, organized for the first time in the capital, is a significant event marking 20 years since the introduction of Internet in Vietnam.
The two-day event, co-hosted by the Embassy of Sweden in Vietnam and the Ministry of Information and Communications, seeks to provide a platform for exchanging views on how the Internet can foster development in ways that are sustainable and inclusive.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Pereric Hogberg said the Internet has developed in ways we had never imagined and made a huge impact in Vietnam, Sweden and around the world. It has undeniably sparked innovation and entrepreneurship, created new forms of economic activity, and offered a renewed opportunity for citizens to be heard on a wide range of issues, and for governments to be more open, transparent and accountable.
The growth of Internet in Vietnam during the last 20 years has resulted in well-developed infrastructure and technologies, as well the wide spread of applications and social media. The Internet now is in all aspects of people’s everyday life, both socially and economically.
Mr. Vu The Binh, Secretary General of Vietnam Internet Association, said that VIF17 would be a good chance for hearing different views about “life on the Internet” in an open environment, so that we can all head towards the establishment of internet ecosystem with openness, transparency, diversity and safety.
Currently, the Government is trying to promote the development of IT and digital industry, and the application of value added on the Internet, in combination with the development of many types of services; bringing more convenience and effectiveness for people and businesses.
VIF aims to be an annual platform where government officials, civil society representatives, academia, business leaders, social entrepreneurs, investors and other relevant stakeholders come together to discuss the Internet’s contribution to an open, sustainable and innovative society./.