Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnam has carried out digital transformationprogrammes for enterprises and dialogues between companies and senior leadersof ASEAN countries to turn the bloc into a hub for innovative and sustainablestart-up development.

Theseactivities also accelerate digital transformation and technology start-updevelopment in ASEAN, according to the Ministry of Information andCommunication.

ASEANcountries have an advantage with about 60 percent of the population under 35years old, promising strong start-up potential. Therefore, as Chairman of ASEAN2020, Vietnam has organised the ASEAN Startup Forum to discuss promotingstart-up co-operation in the bloc.

NgoDien Hy, General Director of VNPT Information Technology Company (VNPT-IT),said the Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Corporation (VNPT) and the VietnamChamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) have signed a deal to support thedomestic enterprises in implementing digital transformation.

Perthe agreement, VNPT will work with VCCI and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council(ASEAN BAC) to implement the Digital STARS Showcase 2020 project, which aims tobuild a network connecting technology start-ups in ASEAN to createopportunities to exchange experience, expand partnerships and promote digitaltransformation.

PhamDinh Doan, an ASEAN BAC member, said Digital STARS Showcase 2020 also includesinnovative and practical digital transformation solutions for firms to upgradetheir business models and participate in the digital economy, especially micro,small and medium-sized enterprises.

TheDigital STARS Showcase 2020 has had more than 100 solutions from largecompanies and potential start-ups since it was launched in September.

Thesystem of those solutions is expected to expand to other ASEAN countries tobuild a common database on regional digital transformation.

Atpresent, digital transformation models are creating convenient services.However, this kind of model also brings difficulties for local start-upsbecause it fundamentally changes the traditional business model and poses newchallenges.

Tosurvive and thrive in an age of constantly changing technology, domesticstart-ups must change because they could be eliminated if they are slow tocarry out digital transformation.

DeputyMinister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy said they should choose smallprojects for digital transformation. That would reduce damages and takeexperiences to implement the digital transformation for larger projects.

Besidessmart technology, the key of digital transformation is to change the people,mindset and culture of a start-up, Duy said.

TheCOVID-19 pandemic is still complex and harming business activities in theASEAN region.

However,according to a report on digital transformation supporting enterprises amid COVID-19published by the VCCI and VNPT, the pandemic is driving domestic enterprises topromote digital transformation.

Meanwhile,the National Assembly has requested the Government to issue a plan to ensurecyber information security for 2021-2025.

TheGovernment is also required to strictly manage foreign digital platforms,promote the development of social networks in the country and issue ane-Government Development Strategy.

By2021, Vietnam is hoped to have basically complete national databases and buildplatforms to promote national digital transformation.

TheMinistry of Information and Communications will issue solutions to support andaccelerate digital transformation, especially digital transformation inenterprises.

Overthe past time, Vietnamese enterprises have mainly applied digitaltransformation for management, logistics and marketing activities but not muchfor production, according to some experts.

Enterpriseshave gradually improved to carry out digital transformation, but thetransformation is basic. The digitalisation rate in products and servicesis still low due to barriers like high cost, lack of infrastructure for digitaltransformation, corporate data leakages and a lack of qualified workers.

Therefore,besides developing infrastructure, the Government needs to give financialsupport for local enterprises in implementing digital transformation andjustify rules about data management./.