Chairman of CMC: "Transforming the Red River Delta into a Regional Data Service Center - Digital Hub"

This year's conference program is held under the theme "Development Linkage - Innovation Renewal - Green and Sustainable." Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presides over the conference. Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, Dinh Tien Dung; comrades: Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council of Quang Ninh Province Nguyen Xuan Ky co-chair the conference.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the conference, an event that opens up "new breakthrough opportunities" for the Red River Delta Region, a strategically important area for the entire country.

Also in attendance at the conference were Central Party Committee members, leaders of ministries, departments, central agencies, 11 provinces and cities in the Red River Delta Region, representatives from embassies, international organizations in Vietnam, along with development partners, business associations, and domestic and foreign investors.

Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat emphasized the significance of boosting research on scientific and technological applications, as well as innovative breakthroughs, to drive the development of the Red River Delta Region. This effort is crucial not only for the region but also for the entire country.

During the conference, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat shared that the Red River Delta Region is at the forefront of research, scientific and technological applications, and innovative breakthroughs. The entire region boasts more than 500 science and technology organizations, 291 research and development (R&D) institutions, and 14 out of 17 national key laboratories. The pace of technological innovation (during the 2016-2020 period) reached 51.7%. The contribution of science and technology (measured through the Total Factor Productivity index) to the economic growth of the region during the 2016-2020 period stood at 48.1%. The ecosystem for startup innovation and creativity has thrived, with the nucleus being the capital city of Hanoi.

At the conference, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung announced Resolution No. 14/NQ-CP dated February 8, 2023, issued by the Government, which sets forth the action plan for implementing Resolution No. 30-NQ/TW of the Party Central Committee.

With its geographical advantages, open government policies, and unique potential, the Chairman of CMC believes that the Red River Delta Region is currently converging all the necessary and sufficient elements to establish itself as the Data Services Center of Vietnam, contributing to making Vietnam a Digital Hub in the Asia-Pacific region. Its geographical location, technical infrastructure, human resources, and more are among the advantages of the Red River Delta Region.

Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of CMC Corporation, Mr. Nguyen Trung Chinh, presented a speech with the theme "Building the Red River Delta into a Data Services Center - Digital Hub, contributing to digital transformation and building a digital economy."

CMC is vigorously promoting action plans for the Digital Hub project

Mr. Nguyen Trung Chinh stated: "CMC Corporation has been and is vigorously promoting action plans for the Digital Hub project nationwide in general, and specifically in the Red River Delta region."

Specifically, firstly, CMC has built a neutral Data Center with high connectivity, notably the Data Center located in Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, which is considered the most modern and secure Data Center in Vietnam. Currently, CMC is planning to expand large-scale data centers in Hanoi, Hai Phong, and provinces within the Red River Delta.

Secondly, CMC has taken the lead in constructing the Greater Mekong Subregion - Internet Exchange (GMS-IX) node, located in the neutral Data Center, ensuring the necessary infrastructure and connectivity capacity for telecom networks, Internet services, and domestic digital content providers. This is aimed at gradually opening up the network to participating networks in the region, as well as Over-The-Top (OTT) providers.

Thirdly, CMC is pioneering connections, invitations, and signing memorandums of understanding with international telecom networks/content service providers/technology companies to participate in the Digital Hub (Data Center) and the neutral international submarine cable landing station. These include companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Alibaba, Samsung, China Mobile, Chungwa Telecom, and more. CMC has also organized numerous domestic and international seminars to introduce the open mechanisms of the country/city and the plans for Smart Cities.

Fourthly, CMC invests in building the Cross Vietnam Cable System (CVCS), a backbone cable route spanning Vietnam. The CVCS has a total length of over 2,500 km, with an investment exceeding 500 billion VND. It is the only cable route in Vietnam that directly connects to Southeast Asia - A Grid land-based cable network. CMC plans to continue investing in additional land-based routes connecting Vietnam to the world.

Fifthly, CMC develops products for Network Security and Information Security. CMC currently owns a state-of-the-art Next-Generation Network Security Operations Center (CMC SOC) that applies applications from Artificial Intelligence and automation.

Sixthly, CMC invests in education. To become a global data service provider, two critical conditions are required: technical infrastructure and human resources. On July 26, 2022, CMC University was established with the philosophy of Liberation, Innovation, and Distinction. The university aims to build a high-quality workforce, leading in various fields of science and technology by 2043 when CMC celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized the need to enhance the institutional framework for developing industries in the Red River Delta region towards modernity, competitiveness, high-added value, and comprehensive participation in the global production network.

CMC makes a strong impression with proposals and recommendations presented to the Prime Minister

With the desire to contribute a small effort to the goal of making the Red River Delta region a leader in science and technology development, innovation, digital economy, and digital society as outlined in Resolution No. 30-NQ/TW dated November 23, 2022, by the Politburo, at the conference, the representative of CMC Technology Corporation put forward specific proposals and recommendations to the Prime Minister as follows:

Firstly, Hanoi needs to become a center of knowledge and artificial intelligence nationwide. This entails promoting both the preservation of historical and cultural spaces and the encouragement of a robust workforce of scientists, scholars, and multidisciplinary institutions. Additionally, established innovation centers, software, and IT concentration areas to become the "Silicon Valley" of Vietnam and the APAC region.

Secondly, the expansion of the connectivity route to Hai Phong and Quang Ninh by laying more fiber optic cables on land. This will provide business customers, organizations in Vietnam, and countries around the world with a seamless, stable, and comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure.

Thirdly, the development of a strong and open domestic internet connection. Domestic internet connectivity between networks must be open, avoiding natural business monopolies. This policy is essential for global companies to decide whether to deeply penetrate the Vietnamese market or choose another country as their presence point.

Fourthly, constructing large-scale neutral Data Centers. Data Centers serve as crucial physical infrastructure and the heart of digital transformation. To attract large-scale Data Center construction projects, special mechanisms are needed, including land and energy policy support. Particularly, setting up a second national Internet exchange station (or backup) at a Data Center would offer a superior completion point compared to other countries in the region.

Fifthly, establishing the main processing systems for smart city applications. In anticipation of latency and geographical distance in smart city applications' infrastructure, it's necessary to be proactive and build data processing systems for smart cities within the Data Centers located in that region. This would leverage vast data from customers and households, setting a unique differentiation that no other nation, city, or network has achieved so far.

The conference is an event of significant importance for the development of the Red River Delta region.

"With all the contributions and efforts of CMC over the past 30 years of formation and development, our corporation reaffirms and commits once again to continue dedicating our utmost efforts to contribute to building the Red River Delta into a data service center of the region, thereby helping Vietnam become a Digital Hub in the Asia-Pacific region. This is to further facilitate digital transformation and the establishment of a digital economy, for a strong and prosperous Vietnam," emphasized Mr. Chinh.

The conference holds great significance for the development of the Red River Delta region, opening up "new breakthrough opportunities" for the strategically important area that serves as a political and economic center, leading the nation in culture, education, science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. This is leading the country's economic foundation and the transformation of its growth model.