Secretary Tran Luu Quang: Businesses, Boldly Produce High-Quality UAVs, Ho Chi Minh City Will Purchase

On the evening of December 9th, Mr. Tran Luu Quang, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, held a meeting with the science and technology community, innovative startups, and entrepreneurs under the theme “Ho Chi Minh City Towards a Global Digital Economy and Innovation Hub.” The event was attended by chairpersons and founders of leading Vietnamese conglomerates such as FPT, VNG, CMC, Xanh SM, MoMo, VinaCapital, Becamex, Tam Anh Hospital, Hoa Sen, and City Group.

Ho Chi Minh City to Procure Vietnamese-Made UAVs

During the meeting, Secretary Quang engaged with entrepreneurs, scientists, and innovators to gather insights on positioning Ho Chi Minh City as a leading digital economy and innovation hub on both national and international scales.

Secretary Quang emphasized that science, technology, and innovation are key drivers of Ho Chi Minh City’s growth. The city has achieved significant milestones, laying a strong foundation for future development. He pledged to personally oversee and accelerate these efforts.

“While Ho Chi Minh City is addressing numerous pressing civic issues, we must recognize that investing in science and technology will, in turn, help us tackle these challenges more effectively,” Secretary Quang told the attendees.

The city is set to prioritize two key initiatives: establishing a large data center and manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). With a solid foundation from companies like FPT, City Group, and RTR, UAV production is poised for immediate implementation and market application. Businesses are encouraged to develop high-quality products to drive innovation and integration into daily life.

Secretary Quang encouraged Mr. Luong Viet Quoc, CEO of RTR, to produce high-quality UAVs for practical applications. Ho Chi Minh City has committed to being the first adopter, utilizing UAVs for search and rescue, traffic monitoring, and firefighting.

Mr. Quoc recently deployed four drones to support flood relief efforts in Khanh Hoa, with Secretary Quang facilitating local coordination. Mr. Quoc shared his journey in UAV development, stating, “Initially, people doubted our ability to compete globally, but we’ve proven that Vietnamese-made UAVs can rival international standards.”

Regarding costs, Mr. Quoc noted that Vietnam’s R&D expenses are 1/20th of those in the U.S., with production costs 30-40% lower.

Low-Altitude Economy Projected to Reach $10 Billion

Discussing the low-altitude economy, Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of FPT Corporation, expressed his vision for Vietnam to become a UAV capital. He announced the formation of a low-altitude economy alliance, aiming to achieve a $10 billion industry within a decade, creating one million jobs.

To meet this goal, Vietnam’s growth rate must double the global average. While the global UAV market grows at 30%, Vietnam aims for 60-70% growth, a target Mr. Binh believes is attainable.

“The biggest hurdle is the lack of regulatory frameworks for this industry, including guidelines for foreign partnerships, standards, certifications, and sandbox testing,” Mr. Binh noted.

Despite these challenges, Japan is eager to collaborate with Vietnamese companies. FPT has registered with Ho Chi Minh City to contribute to this initiative. With a sandbox mechanism, businesses are ready to invest immediately.

Currently, Vietnam’s low-altitude economy is valued at $100 million annually. Beyond manufacturing, UAVs will be used for logistics, passenger transport, and daily applications.

Mr. Tran Kim Chung, Chairman of City Group, highlighted Ho Chi Minh City’s potential as a regional low-altitude economy hub. This sector could address urban challenges like traffic, pollution, and quality of life, offering significant growth opportunities.

Experts and scientists proposed policies and resources to advance science, technology, and innovation, aligning with Resolution 57 on national digital transformation.