Showcasing domestic R&D capabilities
A project on researching and developing a 5G gNodeB base station supporting up to 8 transmit-receive antennas (8T8R) recently won the first prize at the 25th Military Creative Youth Awards. The award marked a significant milestone in the journey from research and development to commercialization.
Nguyen Chi Linh, Deputy Director of the Broadband Wireless Research Center at Viettel High Tech (VHT) and representative of the research team, noted that VHT has advanced from developing basic 5G base stations to mastering products ranging from 4T4R to 8T8R, and is progressing toward 32T32R and 64T64R, approaching global broadcasting standards.
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Research, design, and development of 5G base stations conducted in the laboratory (Photo: congthuong.vn) |
The 5G base stations developed through this research offer download speeds up to 10 times faster than 4G, support thousands of simultaneous users with ultra-low latency, and have already been deployed in multiple cities and provinces, including Hanoi, Ha Nam, and Ninh Thuan.
Moreover, the first batch of equipment was successfully exported to India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), securing multi-million-dollar contracts, underscoring the competitive edge of Vietnamese-made products.
At the Open RAN commercialization event with Qualcomm in November 2024, VHT CEO Nguyen Vu Ha highlighted that few organizations globally possess end-to-end control of both baseband and radio processing technologies. This capability enables the company to tailor its equipment to clients' needs and forge international partnerships, thereby promoting digital transformation in the region.
Nguyen Duc Thanh, lead researcher of the second-prize-winning project at the same awards, said the project developed a tactical training simulation system for reconnaissance and special forces units. He explained that the goal was to build a combat-realistic simulation system to enhance training effectiveness.
The technology integrates physical simulation, interactive video, and advanced sensors for high accuracy and immersive experiences, surpassing current systems. Notably, the shooting simulation module has already been commercialized and ordered by the Philippine National Police. According to the contract, the system must be lightweight, installable in under 15 minutes, compatible with interactive video training, and adaptable for NATO-standard firearms.
The feedback from the Philippines has been positive, acknowledging the system’s potential to significantly improve police training and its suitability for local conditions, Thanh said.
Mastering core technologies
Guided by the “Make in Vietnam” initiative, Vietnamese tech companies and scientists have steadily transitioned from assembly and outsourcing to innovation, design, and mastering core technologies. Many locally-made technological products are not only embraced by domestic consumers but have also made their way into international markets.
According to the Vietnam Software and IT Services (VINASA), over 1,000 Vietnamese tech firms are currently providing digital services to most of the world’s leading economies, contributing billions of dollars to Vietnam’s economy annually.
Studies show that Vietnam’s digital technology industry has made notable strides over the past five years. Since the "Make in Vietnam" strategy was launched, the proportion of domestic value in the ICT industry's revenues has increased by nearly 1.5 times.
Pham Duc Nghiem, Deputy Director of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development under the Ministry of Science and Technology, emphasized that the aspiration to master technologies, especially strategic and core technologies, is a shared ambition of all nations, and Vietnam is no exception.
In recent years, Vietnamese research institutes, tech enterprises, and scientists have worked tirelessly to develop innovative products and solutions for various sectors, from manufacturing to services, making significant contributions to socio-economic development.
As a result, Vietnam has consistently ranked high on the Global Innovation Index (GII), and many of its scientific and technological products have achieved impressive outcomes, with several earning recognition on the global tech map.
Source: VNA