Việt Nam targets to develop an information technology (IT) workforce of international standard and the IT sector becomes a key ingredient of the national economy.

The above goals are part of a project, approved by PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng on Tuesday, to convert Việt Nam into an information and communications technology (ICT) power.

The project also aims at building up nationwide broadband telecommunication infrastructure and effectively raising IT applications in all areas of socio-economic development, defense, and security.

ICT is considered an important driving force for the nation’s sustainable development as it helps improve the transparency in State bodies, save time and costs for individuals, businesses, and organizations.

The Government will strive to double or triple ICT revenue growth rate compared to that of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the years to come. And by the year 2020, the ICT sector would account for at least 8-10% of GDP.

Also by 2020, some 80% of Vietnamese ICT graduates are well-trained enough in terms of profession and languages to join the international labor market, according to the project.

The total workforce is estimated at 1 million and Internet users account for over 70% of the population.

ICT research and development organizations, particularly those run by businesses, are capable of developing new hi-tech products.

Việt Nam also eyes to become one of top ten countries in terms of software industry and outsourcing services.

Broadband mobile phone will cover up to 95% of the population and Việt Nam will stand among 55 leading countries of the international telecommunication union (ITU).