On the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Military Telecommunications Group (June 1, 1989/June 1, 2026), which is also Viettel's annual Innovation Day, a reporter from the People's Army Newspaper had an interview with Lieutenant General Tao Duc Thang, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Chairman and General Director of Viettel Group, about how Viettel transforms innovation into core competencies, its risk acceptance mechanisms, its development orientation for strategic technologies such as semiconductors, quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and recommendations on policy mechanisms for Vietnamese technology enterprises.

Reporter (R): Quantum technology, advanced materials… are important national strategic technologies that the Party and State have mandated for research and development (R&D), application, and commercialization. What are Viettel's plans for these strategic technologies, Comrade?

Lieutenant General Cao Duc Thang: Strategic technologies such as quantum computing, semiconductors, and advanced materials are all particularly important fields for the future development of the country. The development orientation of the Party and the State is absolutely correct. The core issue lies in the approach and the roadmap, because core technologies will not be transferred easily. Therefore, Vietnam must determine a path of self-reliance, gradually progressing based on its own capabilities.

Viettel's experience is that it's a process of both working and coordinating. To have 5G equipment that can be deployed synchronously in markets with several million people like today, Viettel has sequentially researched electronics, telecommunications, 4G, and then developed 5G.

Viettel's strength lies in its market share, but our view is that businesses cannot replace the role of research institutes or universities; instead, they must collaborate closely to master technology. For example, to develop high-tech fields, one must master fundamental theories. To embark on quantum technology research, one must truly understand quantum physics. Universities and research institutes play a crucial role in training the workforce from the ground up, starting with students, so that businesses can go further.

Viettel has always chosen an approach of "going from small to large, from simple to complex, from mastery to self-reliance": starting with simulation and small-scale prototypes, then gradually mastering the process. Parts that can be done independently are proactively implemented; parts that cannot be done independently are done through cooperation and exchange with suitable partners.

Most importantly, it's crucial to define very clear objectives, especially linking strategic technology to specific strategic products. A product may integrate multiple technologies, but setting specific goals makes research and development much clearer and more feasible.