On the afternoon of November 25, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính welcomed Mr. Borje Ekholm, Chairman and CEO of Ericsson, who was visiting Vietnam.

Ericsson’s Role in Vietnam’s Digital Transformation

During the meeting, Ericsson’s leadership presented the company’s capabilities, shared recommendations on digital technology, and discussed ways to support Vietnam in accelerating its national digital transformation.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính warmly welcomed Mr. Ekholm and expressed his delight at the strong and positive relationship between Vietnam and Sweden, particularly in political diplomacy, development aid (amounting to nearly $3 billion), and annual bilateral trade exceeding $1 billion.

The Prime Minister emphasized Vietnam’s desire to elevate its partnership with Sweden to a more substantive and effective level. He called for both countries to maximize the potential of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and to push for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

A Strong Partnership with Vietnam

Highlighting Ericsson’s financial, technological, and advanced management capabilities, Prime Minister Chính expressed confidence that this visit would provide Ericsson with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding to guide future investment decisions.

The Prime Minister commended Ericsson’s investment in Vietnam over the past 30 years, noting its role as a key partner to major Vietnamese telecom providers such as VNPT, Viettel, and Mobifone. He also praised the company’s workplace environment, particularly its gender inclusivity, with 50% of Ericsson Vietnam’s management team being women.

Opportunities for Strategic Cooperation

The Prime Minister welcomed Ericsson’s plans to support Vietnam’s digital infrastructure development and national digital transformation efforts. He highlighted Vietnam’s strategic focus on digital transformation as a new growth driver, with its youthful population and strong mathematical capabilities being key assets.

Prime Minister Chính urged Ericsson to deepen its strategic, long-term cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in:

  • R&D Centers: Establishing research and development facilities in Vietnam.
  • Technology Transfer: Promoting the adoption of advanced technologies.
  • Digital Infrastructure: Supporting artificial intelligence, cloud computing, IoT, satellite internet, and data centers.
  • Next-Generation Connectivity: Developing 5G and 6G networks.
  • Workforce Development: Training high-quality personnel.
  • Policy Support: Advising on digital policies and encouraging Vietnamese firms to participate in global supply chains.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of innovation, timeliness, and decisiveness in implementing these initiatives. He expressed hope that Ericsson would make Vietnam a key hub for collaboration, investment, and pilot projects, fostering healthy competition with other global corporations.

Ericsson’s Commitment to Vietnam

Mr. Ekholm expressed high agreement with the Prime Minister’s remarks and affirmed that Vietnam is a key market with significant growth potential. He acknowledged Vietnam’s success in deploying 5G and highlighted its potential to become a global leader in digital and technological innovation alongside countries like India.

Ericsson is committed to:

  • Establishing R&D Facilities: Developing a research center in Vietnam to leverage local capabilities for innovation.
  • Technology Application: Creating technological solutions for export to other markets.
  • Talent Utilization: Tapping into Vietnam’s skilled workforce and leveraging the country’s commitment to digitalization.

Mr. Ekholm remarked on the dedication of Vietnam’s workforce, which he believes is a crucial factor for success in research and development. He also assured that Ericsson would work closely with Vietnamese partners to identify opportunities and seek continued support for future collaborations.

Ericsson in Vietnam

Ericsson, a global leader in telecom equipment, has been present in Vietnam since 1993. It has played a vital role in developing Vietnam’s telecom infrastructure, from 2G to 5G, improving domestic service quality. As of Q2 2024, Ericsson Vietnam employs approximately 400 staff and has been recognized as the 4th best workplace in Vietnam (mid-sized companies) by the Great Place to Work Institute.

Ericsson’s longstanding commitment and vision for Vietnam highlight its ambition to make the country a strategic hub for innovation, digital transformation, and technological leadership in the region.