HO CHI MINH CITY	SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE ________ The Office No: 81/TB-VP	Independence-Liberty-Happiness __________________ Ho Chi Minh City, June 20, 2001

ANNOUNCEMENT ON
THE VIETNAM IT&T CONVENTION 2001 IN HO CHI MINH CITY AUGUST 17- 18, 2001

Information technology (IT) has been identified by the Government of Vietnam as a key technology and industry to boost the economic development of the country. Its importance has been reflected in various policies and regulations issued by the Party and the Government, such as Resolution No. 07/2000/NQ-CP by the Government, Directive No. 58/CT-TW by the Party's Central Committee, and Decision No. 128/2000/QD-TTg by the Prime Minister, all concerning the development of IT in general and the software industry in particular.

At present, there are over 100 IT companies operating in Ho Chi Minh City specializing in a wide range of areas such as hardware manufacturing, software development and IT training. The city has also put into operation two software centers: Saigon Software Park and Quang Trung Software City.

Mobilizing all resources of Vietnamese IT experts from inside as well as outside of the country is vital to the promotion of IT and software industry in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam. The local government has therefore decided to organize a gathering of Vietnamese IT experts and entrepreneurs working in the field of Information Technology and Telecommunications from August 17 to August 18, 2001 in Ho Chi Minh City.

This gathering will be an excellent venue for the exchange of experiences and expertise between overseas Vietnamese IT&T experts and entrepreneurs, and their counterparts and relevant authorities at the central and local levels in Vietnam. The theme of this year's gathering is:

STARTING UP THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY IN HO CHI MINH CITY

The gathering will introduce and discuss:

- The IT&T strategies and policies of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in the period of 2001-2005;
- Current investment, development, and potentials for IT&T in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City;
- On-going and future IT&T projects for the period of 2001-2005 implemented by both the public and the private sector in Ho Chi Minh City;
- Prospect of cooperation and contribution from overseas Vietnamese, to the development of IT&T in Ho Chi Minh City as well as in Vietnam;

Participants in the Convention are Vietnamese IT&T experts in Vietnam, and senior managers of companies, researchers and lecturers at universities and institutions from aboard. It is expected that 130 overseas and 230 local participants will attend this Convention.

If you wish to attend as well, please fill outthe attached registration form and send it to the following address by July 25, 2001:

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science, Technology, and the Environment
Section for IT Management
79 Truong Dinh St., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: 84-8-8250600
Fax: 84-8-8250601
Email: ncv@hcm.fpt.vn
Web: http://hcmste.gov.vn
The Convention's Organizing Committee will send out official invitations to participants basing on the number of registrations received and the expected number of participants.

Overseas Vietnamese participants and their family members (parents, spouses, and children) will have their entry visa issued upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ho Chi Minh City.

Interested persons who have sent registration forms but are without invitations due to the limited number of participant will be provided with detailed information about the Convention and follow-up cooperation projects.

With a view of capitalizing on the expertise of Vietnamese people all over the world in the most effective way to develop IT&T in general, and the software industry in particular, the Organizing Committee deems the participation of the IT&T experts and entrepreneurs as the pre-requisite for the success of the Convention.

Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee hopes this Convention will be responded with interest and enthusiastic support from Vietnamese the world over to its endeavor of the country's development.

The local government also looks forward to receiving financial assistance from overseas and local businesses which will help strengthen mutual understanding and ensure the success of the Convention.

For the Chief of the Office of HCMC People's Council and Committee
Deputy Chief
(signed and sealed)

Huynh Khanh Hiep