After investing in automobile research and production, Vingroup continues to engage in technology with the establishment of VinSmart. In addition to smartphone production, VinSmart will promote the application of useful research in the fastest way. Vingroup Vice President and General Director Nguyen Viet Quang has granted TheLEADER an interview on this story.
Co-operate with international startups on science and technology
Why does Vingroup invest in science and technology at that time?
Nguyen Viet Quang: After investing in the automobile research and production, we have built a reputation and many relationships in the international market, which is a necessary condition for us to start investing in science and technology.
Moreover, there are many startups in the world that are researching these areas and they need to experiment, to realize and commercialize their inventions. Vingroup can work with them to do this and push the research applications to life.
What do you think about the opinion that the technology sector is very new to Vingroup?
Nguyen Viet Quang: The fourth industrial revolution is taking place in the world and this is an opportunity for Vietnam to join the global market. We want to set an example for more and more Vietnamese businesses to participate in this field.
Therefore, Vingroup decided to set up VinSmart company operating in two main areas. The first is the production of smart electronics starting with the production of smartphone branded Vsmart. The second is artificial intelligence (AI) research, experiment and applications as well as automation and new generation materials.
Participating in high-tech and complex areas confirms Vingroup's determination to move towards a knowledge and science-based production that contributes to improve productivity for Vietnam economy. Smartphone is just the beginning of Vingroup in entering the production chain of intelligent technology equipment.
Together with the VinFast automobile, the phone produced by VinSmart will contribute to the development of the Vietnamese industry and bring the Vietnamese brand to the world.
Engaging in the production of smartphones, will VinSmart produce or outsource?
Nguyen Viet Quang: Like VinFast automobile, we will start by producing some parts and will gradually increase the local content rate.
Vsmart plant with international standards will be built at VinFast auto manufacturing complex in the Hai Phong's Dinh Vu – Cat Hai economic zone. It will be managed and operated based on the fourth industrial revolution, especially the latest technology with high automation.
In terms of technology, Vingroup is working with the world's leading consulting firms to hire design consultants, seek qualified professionals, acquire design licenses for smartphone components. At the same time, it is also buying production line and equipment for telephone production.
The cooperation with leading partners will ensure that Vsmart smartphone manufacturing process is equipped with the most modern and advanced technology to optimize efficiency and ensure product quality.
Apply useful research to the society
Are pioneering industries such as AI, automation, new generation materials beyond what Vingroup is able to do when it does not have much experience in technology?
Nguyen Viet Quang: The problem is not the technology experience but the experience of research, deployment and management of the work that Vingroup has and those help us solve our problems.
What is your comment on the opinion that when investing in this new field, Vingroup is increasingly away from the key business sectors?
Nguyen Viet Quang: In Industrial Revolution 4.0, if we do not keep up with new trends and potential areas as AI, automation, next generation materials and take control in technology, we will fall behind. Therefore, focusing on developing the industry in the ecosystem of service products is the long-term direction of Vingroup.
We are not far from the key business areas, we just add new areas to perfect our Business-Service-Production ecosystem.
Research on science and technology requires considerable investment but the efficiency is difficult to measure. How will Vingroup measure the success of VinSmart?
Nguyen Viet Quang: We will focus on application technology rather than academic research, so it is easy to determine that our researches are successful or not.
What areas does VinSmart expect to apply its invention of AI to?
Nguyen Viet Quang: We will apply immediately to any field having successful researches which can be conducted or bought by VinSmart as long as its products are useful for society.
Thank you very much!
