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Q. How much did the Israeli military influence the Vietnamese military modernization?Vietnam, an Emerging Partner in Israel’s ‘Asia Pivot’ PolicyThe Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Economic and Trade Department of the Israeli Embassy at Vietnam-Israel business forum in Hanoi, image by Mark Neyman, Israel GPOBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 468, May 17, 2017EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Israel is increasingly looking for partnerships in economic, political, cultural, and military sectors with countries in Southeast Asia, and relations with Vietnam, in particular, are on the upswing. While cooperation between Israel and Vietnam is largely focused on civilian sectors, defense ties are also growing more robust, with Israel getting involved in upgrading aging Vietnamese weapons systems and collaborating on weapons development. There is a visible bonhomie between the nations, and Israel-Vietnam ties are likely to deepen.Vietnam’s relationship with Israel has been getting steadily stronger over the past few years. In what could be considered an extended, modern-day “peripheral doctrine”, Israel is doing all it can to enhance cooperation with the Asian countries. This can be seen with regard to China, India, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, South Korea, and Japan. Thriving economic and military-security cooperation has become the hallmark of its relations with these countries (though in some cases, political relations have yet to be strengthened).Israel and Vietnam are carefully crafting a potential partnership based on their respective national interests – economic, military, and political.Contemporary Israel’s Vietnam policy resembles the overtures it made during the 1950s and early 1960s towards the Sub-Saharan countries, with which it shared technical expertise in agriculture and healthcare. With the aim of forging friendly, supportive relations, Israel focused on multifaceted initiatives in Africa, including technical assistance, training programs, joint-economic enterprises, trade, and so on. Military cooperation and arms trading were also important elements of Israel’s relations with African countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zaire, and Ghana.A similar trend is now being followed with Vietnam. Israeli-Vietnamese relations are expanding in the fields of agriculture, commerce, science, and technology, and – most importantly – in the defense sphere.Israel and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in July 1993, and their economic relationship is relatively healthy. Bilateral trade volume touched US$1.3 billion last year, and the countries aspire to take it to an annual US$2 billion. In 2004, the countries signed the Agreement of Economic and Trade Cooperation for further development of trade. Israel imports cellular phones, electronic components, seafood, coffee, textiles, and footwear from Vietnam, and exports machinery and equipment, hi-tech goods, and fertilizer.In the first quarter of 2017, Israel had 25 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Vietnam worth over US$46 million. In December 2015, during a visit by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai to Israel, formal discussions were launched on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This raised the prospects for further growth in the investment, finance, services, science and technology, and labor sectors. Cooperation in the health sector is also expanding: the two countries have signed an agreement in which Israel has agreed to assist Vietnam in the construction of a 300-bed hospital with some of its latest technology and equipment.Israel’s agricultural involvement with Vietnam – an area in which Israel has deep expertise over many decades – is significantly on the rise. To augment cooperation, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MASHAV), and embassy in Hanoi have implemented a training program in the country for Vietnamese citizens. In December 2013, Israel’s Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir and Vietnamese officials agreed to establish a joint Research and Development (R&D) program in agriculture to expand businesses in this area. Some of the areas in which Israeli companies can offer assistance to Vietnam are breeding, preservation technology, water use, and models for scientific research.Remarkable progress can already be seen, and Israel has become an important partner for Vietnam’s dairy industries – so much so that it has become an essential component of Vietnam’s “dairy diplomacy”. Israel-developed agricultural technology is now widely used in almost every province in Vietnam.Simultaneously, there is steady growth in openly acknowledged military-security relations between the countries. In addition to trading arms, Israel and Vietnam are engaged in joint ventures in the production of weapons systems suitable to the needs of the Vietnamese armed forces. Israel’s entry into this defense market is timely, as Hanoi is undergoing modernization programs for all three military services. It is increasing defense expenditures, which touched nearly US$4.6 billion in 2015 and are expected to reach US$6.2 billion by 2020. These steps have likely been taken by the Vietnamese government in response to the Chinese military build-up in the South China Sea.Israel has carved a niche in the global arms market by developing and manufacturing some of the most technologically advanced systems for maritime security, air defense, electronic warfare systems, reconnaissance drones, arms and ammunition, short/long-range missiles, and avionics and other subparts. These systems are reasonably priced, and the securing of deals to acquire them is relatively easy as they tend to come with fewer strings attached.Vietnam’s large army is equipped with aging weapons systems, and Israel has the potential to upgrade some of them. Elbit Systems is reported to have secured an upgrading contract for Vietnam’s Mil Mi-17 helicopters. In 2011-12, Israel Weapon Industries established a production facility (at a cost of $100 million) in Vietnam to help supply Galil ACE 31 and 32 assault rifles to the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA). In 2014, the countries worked towards signing agreements to establish a “formal framework” to upgrade their bilateral defense relations, including promotion of future technology transfer and industrial cooperation. In 2015, Israel set up a defense attaché in Vietnam.The frequency of visits by military officials, which has become an annual phenomenon, is another manifestation of the keenness on both sides to intensify defense ties. In January 2017, General Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of Staff of the VPA, met Mishel Ben-Baruch, Director of the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s International Defense Cooperation Division (SIBAT), to explore ways to expand military cooperation to include training, education programs, and exchanges. Following a meeting in Hanoi in late February between Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and Israel Military Industries (IMI) chairman Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Vietnam began to consider purchasing Israeli-made Delilah standoff-range air-to-surface missiles (including, for example, the Orbiter-2 Unmanned Aerial System [UAS], manufactured by Aeronautics). Vietnam has also fortified some of the islands in the disputed South China Sea with the EXTRA rocket system acquired from Israel.Between 2010 and 2016, Vietnam imported Spyder, Derby, and Python-5 missiles and ELM2288/ ER and ELM2022 air defense radars from Israel. More trade in such items can be expected, as the lethal arms embargo against Vietnam was lifted by then US president Barack Obama in May 2016. At this stage, immediate competition from other international arms vendors is unlikely, as Israel’s share in Vietnam’s imports is relatively low. Russia, for instance, is accountable for 80% of Hanoi’s recent military purchases. However, this possibility cannot be ruled out, as a Moscow-based military expert has already questioned the capability of Israel-made missiles.Arms exports remain an important instrument of Israel’s foreign policy for both politico-diplomatic and economic reasons. The perpetual nature of the security challenges emanating from its hostile neighbors, and their unrelenting attempts to isolate and castigate Israel politically from the standpoint of regional and international groupings, continue to motivate Israel’s arms sales diplomacy. Israel’s economic and technological assistance and arms transfers to Vietnam can be understood as emanating from this strategy.While Israel’s arms diplomacy helps it to build political relationships, the funds generated by arms exports sustain its R&D programs in military technology, which it needs to maintain its edge over its regional adversaries. This applies to almost all its relations with Southeast Asian countries. Given that the Asia-Pacific countries contributed US$2.6 billion to the Israeli arms business in 2016 out of a total global export of US$6.5 billion, Israel will certainly continue to encourage defense cooperation with Vietnam and other nations as a means of diversifying its revenue sources.The state visit of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to Vietnam in late March 2017 added further impetus to the already flourishing ties. He pushed not only for the existing cooperation to continue but also for Vietnam’s political support, especially in multilateral fora such as the UN. If good relations are to last, this element – in addition to economic and military cooperation – will be very necessary.That said, an atmosphere was created by the Rivlin visit, and more avenues for cooperation have opened in all the sectors. It is now up to the two countries to determine how they can most effectively take advantage of the plethora of opportunities they can offer one other. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “pivoting to Asia” policy is taking shape, and Vietnam is emerging as a crucial partner.Alvite Ningthoujam is a Senior Research Associate at the New Delhi-based think tank Vivekananda International Foundation, where he focuses on Middle Eastern security dynamics, international terrorism, and ISIS. His other research areas include Israel’s arms exports, Indo-Israeli relations, and Israeli-Southeast Asian ties.Vietnam Eyes Israel's Delilah Standoff Missile And F-16s Could Be NextKGYST/WIKICOMMONSChina's militarization of its man-made islands in the South China Sea and the resulting anti-access/area-denial bubbles that will cover massive swaths of that body of water in the not-so-distant future has Vietnam shopping for weaponry that can counter Beijing's grand plans. Hanoi has already forward-deployed Israeli-built GPS-guided Extra multiple launch rocket systems to their own islands in the South China Sea—a weapon system that could rain down rockets on China's outposts with little warning. Now, Vietnam is looking towards Israel once again for its weapons needs, this time to provide a standoff multi-role cruise missile that can strike targets over 150 miles away with pinpoint accuracy.US LIFTS BAN ON ARMS SALES TO VIETNAM AMID TURMOIL IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEAISRAEL RETIRES THE F-16A/B “NETZ” AND PUTS 40 UP FOR SALEAccording to Flightglobal.com, Israel's Delilah missile system was a topic of discussion between Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang and Israel Military Industries chairman Yitzhak Aharonovitch while he was visiting Hanoi.Israel Military Industries Delilah air-launched cruise missile has evolved over the last decade to become a reliable, highly flexible and extremely accurate standoff weapon. Delilah is quite compact when it comes to cruise missiles, weighing in at just over 400 pounds. It can pack different warheads in the 50 to 75-pound weight class and flies to its target at subsonic speeds and at various altitudes. The missile evolved from an air-launched decoy design, having roots going back decades, but its first known operational use was in 2006 against targets in Lebanon. Since then it has been a front-line weapon of choice for the IAF and it would have been heavily used in an Israeli offensive against Iranian nuclear and air defense sites if that operation were to have been launched.IAFDelilah uses inertial navigation with embedded GPS coupled to an autopilot for down-range navigation, and then it can switch to imaging infrared or CCD imaging for terminal guidance. It does this via data link allowing for man-in-the-loop control of the missile for final targeting. What this means is that a weapon system officer in the back of a fighter jet 150 miles away can make fine-tuned adjustments on the missile's point of impact, giving the missile an extreme level of accuracy.For instance, instead of hitting a designated building, a controller can have Delilah fly through an air duct or window on that building. It can also hit moving vehicles and can be used as an anti-ship missile. Israel has long chosen a man-in-the-loop control option for some of their most capable air-to-ground missiles. The much larger AGM-142 Have Nap/Popeye missile, and even the much smaller anti-armor Spike/Tammuz missile use similar control concepts.Delilah can also loiter over a target area, throttling back its turbojet engine to conserve fuel and be retargeted on the fly. It can even be told to "go around" if the target cannot be identified clearly by the operator. Although it is a key feature of the missile's design, this man-in-the-loop control concept is not absolutely necessary. The weapon can also attack fixed targets autonomously using GPS/INS guidance alone. Delilah can also be configured for the suppression/destruction of enemy air defenses role where it loiters over an area for a period of time. Once it detects an enemy radar emitter it homes in on that target and destroys it.Although Delilah is best known as a fighter-launched medium range multi-role missile, because of its small size and relatively lightweight it can also be carried by helicopters and can even be deployed via ground launchers.IMI has been working on more advanced versions of the Delilah for export purposes, ones that could feature more range and warhead choices, and are capable of avoiding or attacking air defenses autonomously. Additionally, automatic target recognition and scene mapping capabilities could take the place of man-in-the-loop targeting for certain missions. Similar abilities are being integrated into the latest Tomahawk cruise missiles as well as Lockheed's promising and very stealthy Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), among others.So what you have here is a single missile that can accomplish what a series of discreet missiles types would be traditionally needed to do so. Which along with its range and size make it perfect for a country that needs a diverse set of standoff missile capabilities but is on a tight budget. As an air-launched system, a Vietnamese fixed-wing aircraft would have to fly just 150 miles from Vietnamese mainland before launching a Delilah missile at a target on China's sprawling Fiery Cross Reef island outpost. A Delilah missile could reach China's strategic Hainan Island without needing an aircraft delivery system at all, instead, it could be shore-launched. As such, you can see how the system is uniquely suited for Vietnam's regional needs, and the fact that it can attack ships too makes it all that more attractive.IAFThere is the issue of what Vietnamese aircraft would put such a missile to use. Their Su-30MK2 Flankers could possibly be adapted to employ the missile, and it would not be the first time Israeli avionics found their way into to Russia's iconic heavy-fighter design. Vietnam's Russian-built helicopters could also be adapted to sport the missile, but it would not be ideal. Beyond their existing fighter platforms, Vietnam may also opt to procure western fighter aircraft, and there are rumblings that this could be underway as part of a larger initiative to turn away from Hanoi's traditional sources of weaponry.Israel may have just the jets to sell them with their new missiles—40 surplus F-16A/Bs "Netz" fighters that are currently up for sale. Israel Aerospace Industries could refurbish these jets indigenously with advanced multi-mode radars, electronic warfare suites, and new cockpit avionics. Additionally, IAI can also apply structural upgrades to the used jets to give them thousands of hours of additional service life. Doing so would give Vietnam a uniquely capable and supportable western fighter aircraft that is tailored to employ the Delilah missile, along with other Israeli-built air-ground and air-to-air munitions—and they would not have to deal with the Washington bureaucracy to obtain them.IAIIf Vietnam were to execute such a strategy, China would not be happy. But considering the changing geopolitical and military realities in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has to do something to further bolster its offensive capabilities. Seeing that a unique Israeli weapon system is already being by Vietnam used to counter-balance China's military expansion in the region, it makes sense that Hanoi would go to the same source to continue doing so, especially if that source can provide big capabilities at a relatively low price. Not just that, but with Vietnam spending increasing defense dollars with Israel for other air combat needs, including ordering high-end SPYDER air defense systems, getting a fighter aircraft that can interoperate intimately with these systems is only logical.One thing is for certain—fielding a couple squadrons of highly upgraded F-16s armed with Delilah missiles would give Vietnam a considerable boost in power projection capabilities, and would be a worthwhile step in countering China's military expansion into the South China Sea.Contact the author: [email protected] tour is proof Israel, Vietnam are brothers in armsIsraeli President Reuven Rivlin’s tour of Vietnam indicates ties between both countries are improving, especially in the area of defense area. The state visit, which ends today, is just the second to Vietnam by an Israeli head of state.In November 2011, former President Shimon Peres became the first Israeli leader to visit Vietnam. The bilateral relationship has progressed rapidly since then, with both nations exchanging high-level visits and extending cooperation across many fields, including trade.According to Vietnamese statistics, the two-way trade between was US$1.3 billion last year, rising from US$68 million in 2005. Trade will increase rapidly in the next few years, with both countries committed to striking a free-trade agreement.The core of the relationship is, and continues to be, cooperation in defense. In March 2015, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Defense Nguyen Chi Vinh and Israel’s Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Dan Harel, signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation, that strengthened cooperation in areas such defense sales and technology transfer.Earlier this year, Pham Ngoc Minh, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnamese People’s Army (VPA), received Mishel Ben-Baruch, the Director of the International Defense Cooperation Directorate of Israel’s Ministry of Defense. The meeting ended with a resolution to improve bilateral defense cooperation.One month later, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, chairman of Israel Military Industries Ltd (IMM), a state-owned weapons developer and manufacturer, was in Hanoi.In hosting Aharonovitch, who already visited Vietnam in February 2014 in his role as Minister of Public Security, Vietnam’s President Tran Dai Quang said bilateral cooperation, especially in defense, “has consistently advanced.” Quang, who toured Israel in November last year in his former role as Minister of Public Security, said Israel “has become a big partner of Vietnam in the defense field.”Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, said he hoped that Aharonovitch and his company would continue contributing to advancing cooperation on defense.That Vietnam’s president and a high-ranking VPA official received the head of one of Israel’s leading arms companies indicates Hanoi’s desire to enhance its defense ties with Israel and upgrade its defense capabilities.In an IMI statement, Aharonovitch said he hoped “both countries will work on streamlining the mutual collaboration and high technology knowledge transfer.” He stressed that the “advanced weapons systems developed and manufactured by IMI Systems correspond to the advanced technology used by the Vietnam army.”While the main purpose of President Rivlin’s week-long visit is to foster cooperation in fields such as agriculture, education, health and trade, defense cooperation remains top of the agenda.Like his predecessor six years ago, the 77-year old traveled to Hanoi accompanied by a big defense industries delegation, which reportedly includes MMI Systems, Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Elbit, Israel Aerospace and Rafael are ranked 29, 32 and 43 in the 2016 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute index of the world’s top 100 arms-producing and military service companies.On Monday, Vietnam’s Defense Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich received the leaders of the Israeli defense businesses. A day later, the first Vietnam-Israel defense industry forum was held in Hanoi. Lich, Rivlin and many other officials from both sides attended.Also on Tuesday, Lich, a Politburo member, met with Rivlin and both toured an exhibit of Israeli defense equipment. During the tour, several Israeli companies, whose products were displayed, presented them with developments and advancements in unmanned planes and drones, sophisticated tanks, rocket launchers, and others.While acknowledging that much has been achieved, both the host and the guest underlined the demand for and potential of ongoing, significant deals in defense.According to his spokesperson, Rivlin said to Lich as “you and I were raised in countries which were battlefields, we all know that quiet, security, and peace cannot be taken for granted. The military and security forces have a role, not just in times of war, but also in times of peace.”The message would have been well received not only because of Vietnam’s battles against foreign aggression but also for the country’s need to strengthen the military to safeguard sovereignty and territory.China’s expansive territorial claims and its military build-up in the disputed waters of the South China Sea are now Vietnam’s biggest concern. They are also the key reason why Hanoi is seeking closer defense ties with countries that have advanced military technologies and know-how, such as Israel.Russia and Eastern European states have been Vietnam’s main arms suppliers. That has changed in the past decade with the purchase of Western-made arms. It has, for example, ordered Israel’s surface-to-air Python and Derby (Spyder) missiles. Vietnam has increased its military spending and turned to Israel not only because it is one of the world’s top exporters of military equipment but also because the Middle East military power is willing to share its expertise.In his talks with Vietnam’s Defense Minister, the Israeli President said his country was “a pioneer in that it recognizes the need to establish advance production lines with Israeli know-how in Vietnam, and to produce with Vietnam and in Vietnam.” Lich expressed Vietnam’s appreciation for Israel’s “extensive and excellent cooperation in the field of defense”.That Vietnam places the greatest importance in Rivlin’s visit was evident earlier this week when he was greeted by the president, prime minister and Communist Party secretary general, the three most powerful positions in Vietnam.VIETNAM ISRAEL TRADE DIPLOMACYXuan Loc DoanXuan Loc Doan is a UK-based researcher. He holds a PhD in International Relations and researches and writes on a number of areas. These include Vietnam’s domestic and foreign policy, ASEAN, EU, UK’s politics and international politics in the Asia-Pacific region.Vietnam-Israel Military Ties in the Spotlight with Bilateral Meeting (diplomat.com)Image Credit: Wikimedia CommonsLast week, an Israeli defense delegation paid a visit to Vietnam as part of an ongoing effort to explore further opportunities in the defense realm. The interaction spotlighted the growing defense relationship between the two sides that often remains under the radar relative to some of Hanoi’s other defense partnerships.Though Vietnam and Israel established bilateral ties back in 1993, over the past few years, that has grown to include defense cooperation as well. A series of steps have been taken by both sides, at times quietly, with Israel opening a defense attaché office in Vietnam in 2014, the inking of a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation in 2015, Vietnam’s purchase of Israeli weapons systems, and both sides exploring other areas of cooperation such as technology transfer and defense industry through meetings, fora, symposia, and other interactions. Last year’s visit by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, just the second to Vietnam by an Israeli head of state, touched on defense issues as well.2018 was expected to be an active year for bilateral ties, including the defense realm. Apart from the convergence of interests and continuity in ties, the fact that both countries were commemorating the 25th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic ties and Israel was commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel meant that we were likely to see some developments tied to these occasions. Indeed, the newly appointed Israeli ambassador to Vietnam has been highlighting the quest to boost bilateral ties this year, including in the defense realm.Tavor TAR-21 Fielded By Vietnam Special Forces - The Firearm BlogIWI To Produce Weapons In Vietnam - The Firearm BlogBáo Người đưa tin 24h - Đọc báo tin tức hôm nay mới nhat reports that Israeli Weapons Industry is looking to open a factory in Vietnam to produce weapons for the Far East market. They could invest up to $100 million in the plant. The Vietnamese military has adopted a wide range of Israeli small arms including the Tavor, Negev LMG, Galil SAR rifle and Galil Sniper rifle.As part of this context, the bilateral defense relationship was in the headlines again with an Israeli defense delegation in Vietnam last week. A delegation from the International Defense Cooperation Directorate of the Israeli defense ministry (SIBAT), led by Director Mishel Ben Baruch, was in Hanoi for meetings with Vietnamese personnel and officials.According to Vietnam’s defense ministry, the meeting provided the opportunity for both sides to evaluate the current state of cooperation in areas like education and training as well as defense industry, as well as to expand future collaboration.Unsurprisingly, few specifics were released about exactly what the shape of that future bilateral defense collaboration would look like. The defense ministry said that in a reception held for the delegation, Vietnam’s Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Chin Vinh had expressed his appreciation for the results of Vietnam-Israel defense cooperation and expressed hope that the visit would further enhance the bilateral relationship.Vietnam, Israel to expand defense cooperation (qdnd.vn)Defense Minister receives Israeli ambassadorHo Chi Minh City wants to cooperate with Israel in various fieldsDefense Minister receives outgoing Israeli AmbassadorAt the reception, General Vinh highly valued the Vietnam-Israel defense cooperation which has achieved positive results over the past time. He also hoped that the visit of the SIBAT delegation to Vietnam would enhance the bilateral relationship.Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh (R) and Director Mishel Ben BaruchThe host also affirmed that Vietnam will create favorable conditions for the Israeli delegation to visit and look for cooperation opportunities in line with Vietnam’s laws.The two countries should also continue exchanging and improving practical cooperation in the fields of education and training, search and rescue, and defense industry, he added.For his part, Mr. Ben Baruch briefed General Vinh on the results of the earlier meeting between the Israeli delegation and the Department of External Relations under the Vietnam Ministry of National Defense. He affirmed that the Israeli side is willing to expand defense cooperation with Vietnam, especially in the previously-mentioned fields.Translated by Minh AnhIsrael’s top arms clients: India, Vietnam, AzerbaijanPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, watch as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flies a kite in Ahmedabad in January. (photo credit: REUTERS/AMIT DAVE)Arms sales do not ensure support in international forums, as the top three markets for Israeli military equipment – India, Vietnam and Azerbaijan – almost always vote against Israel in the United Nations.According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s updated data, India is by far Israel’s largest weapons market, having bought $715 million worth of weaponry in 2017, down slightly from the $767m. it bought in 2016. This represents a whopping 650% increase in arms sales to India over the last decade.Israel is India’s second largest source of arms, lagging far behind Russia, which sold New Delhi $1.9 billion’s worth, but significantly ahead of both France and the US.According to the database, Vietnam is Israel’s second largest customer, having purchased $142m. in arms in 2017, making Israel its second largest arms supplier, after Russia.Azerbaijan – a Muslim country on Iran’s border – is the third largest weapons market for Israel, having bought $137m. worth in 2017, a steep decline, however, from the $248m. it bought in 2016. Israel is Azerbaijan’s largest arms supplier.While India at times abstains on key Israel-related votes in the UN, Vietnam and Azerbaijan can be counted on always to vote against Jerusalem.The institute ranked Israel as the fifth largest arms supplier in the world, with $1.26b. of sales last year, following the US, Russia, France and Germany.The data place Israel in 18th place regarding the import of arms, having spent $528m. on arms last year, fully 97.5% of it imported from the US, and the rest coming from Germany. In the past decade Israel has only imported arms from the US, Germany, Italy and Canada.According to the SIPRI data, in 2017 Israel sold $11m. in arms – Dvora patrol boats – to Myanmar. Israel came under fire last year for arms sales to that regime, accused of carrying out ethnic cleansing. Jerusalem’s sales represented 6.5% of Myanmar’s arms expenditures in 2017, with China and Russia making up the bulk of sales to that country, and Ukraine and the Netherlands selling more to Myanmar than does Israel.Last year was the first year Israel sold arms to Myanmar since 2011.Among other interesting trends culled from the data:• For the second year in a row, Israel sold no military equipment to Turkey, a country that in 2009 bought some $320m. worth of Israeli weapons, making it far and away Israel’s top arms client that year.• The Philippines emerged as a major market for Israel for the first time in 2017, having spent $21m. on radar and antitank systems.• Weapons deals with two Asian countries, Singapore and South Korea, slipped precipitously last year, the SIPRI data said, with South Korea, which bought $52m. in military equipment in 2016, not making any purchases in 2017, and the amount sold to Singapore dropping from $43m. to $2m. last year.• Italy is the fourth largest purchaser of Israeli arms, and the biggest customer in Europe, having spent $87m. in 2017 for Israeli airborne early warning and control systems.• Israel sold $25m. worth of radar systems to Canada last year, the first time Israeli arms have been sold to Canada since 2009.• Cyprus spent $23m. on an offshore patrol vessel for its coast guard to protect the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone and the Aphrodite gas field. The only other time that country has ever bought military equipment from Israel was a million dollar deal in 2002.Vietnam seeks closer defense trade ties with IsraelTEL AVIV, Israel – In a rare public acknowledgment of growing defense trade with Israel, Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang said Israel "has become a big partner of Vietnam" and should work to deepen bilateral ties in research, development and technology transfer.Quang's remarks came at a reception held in Hanoi for Yitzhak Aharonovitch, chairman of Israel's state-owned IMI Systems, where the Vietnamese leader cited "consistently growing" cooperation, "especially in the areas of security and defense."According to an IMI statement released Monday, Aharonovitch, a former minister for public security, said the Israeli company he now chairs has been investing in Vietnam since 1999 and hoped that "mutual collaboration and high technology knowledge transfer" with Vietnam would continue to grow."Aharonovitch stressed that the advanced weapon systems developed and manufactured by IMI Systems correspond to the advanced technology used by the Vietnamese Army," the statement read.Although the press release did not identify specific IMI products that have been sold to Vietnam, sources said the list includes advanced tank rounds, artillery systems and the firm's Extra, a four-meter-long precision artillery rocket designed to carry a range of warheads up to distances of 150 kilometers.According to the IMI statement, Aharonovitch last visited Vietnam in 2014 in his role as Public Security minister. "President Quang praised the contribution of Aharonovitch in expending Vietnamese-Israeli cooperation during his tenure as Minister of Public Security and expressed the hope that Aharonovitch will continue to further promote bilateral relations, especially in training quality personnel in the field of technology."In March 2015, the two countries concluded a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation that codified areas for expanded defense trade, technology transfer, and licensed production.The IMI Chairman's visit to Vietnam comes on the heels of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's week-long visit to Singapore and Australia; a trip that the Israeli leader defined as an "Asia pivot" aimed at strengthening regional ties among a spectrum of industries, including aerospace and defense.Deputy PM’s visit beefs up Vietnam-Israel cooperationWhy does Israel work with Vietnam in military? (Quora)

UPDATED 25/03/20As of March 25, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 134 cases of COVID-19. The latest cases were all linked to international flights. 19 cases were announced on March 22 itself – the biggest single day total.Ho Chi Minh City authorities have ordered the closure of all restaurants (with a capacity of 30 people or more), gyms, beauty salons, barbershops from March 24 to March 31.Samsung’s Galaxy Note smartphone faces production delays due to Vietnam’s restrictions on South Korea. However, around 180 Samsung Display employees were allowed following an agreement with both governments. In addition, Samsung and LG plan to send 430 engineers to support operations in Vietnam on chartered flights.Vietnam has stopped exporting rice from March 24 to ensure national food security.Ford Motor Company will temporarily suspend production in Vietnam from March 26.All international airlines have been asked to stop transporting overseas Vietnamese to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City from March 25 to March 31 to prevent overcrowding at quarantine facilities.Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners from March 22 to limit the spread of COVID-19. The measure will not apply to diplomats and officials as per Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.The Prime Minister also ordered the suspension of all international flights, though it’s unclear exactly when this will take effect.The Health Ministry has advised all arrivals from March 1 to self-isolate at home if they have not been quarantined in a centralized zone in the past 14 days.Public transport passengers are required to fill out health declaration forms. These include travelers on long-haul buses, trains, tourist boats, and domestic flights.The government has also asked religious organizations to cancel religious festivals, activities, and conferences that attract large crowds as a precaution.Vietnam and Cambodia have closed their borders from March 20 to further prevent the spread of the epidemic. The measures do not apply to official and diplomatic passports.Vietnam Airlines will suspend all international routes in a phased manner by March 25 until April 30. VietJet will suspend ASEAN routes from March 20.Vietnam’s military is expanding quarantine facilities for up to 60,000 people as thousands of Vietnamese return home from virus hit countries. The government will also use university dormitories to meet the demand should it be required. In light of the arrivals, authorities in Hanoi have urged residents to stay home.Vietnam plans to issue several incentives for businesses affected by COVID-19. For more information on this, read our article here.From March 18, Vietnam stopped issuing new visas to all foreign nationals for 30 days in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19. Travelers from countries with visa exemptions will only be allowed if they can show medical documents certifying they are free of the virus. The suspension also does not apply to diplomats and those entering on government business, however, they will be required to follow quarantine protocols.In addition, all travelers from the US, Europe, and ASEAN countries will be required to undergo medical checks and a 14-day quarantine when entering Vietnam.Nearly 7,000 passengers entered Vietnam airports on March 18. These included mostly locals returning to the country as well as some foreigners. Travelers came from Europe as well as ASEAN countries.Vietnam is set to officially export 7,500 COVID-19 test kits to Ukraine and Finland. Other European countries have also shown interest.Vietnam Airlines will temporarily suspend flights between Vietnam and Malaysia until the end of March from March 18. In addition, flights between Vietnam and France have been indefinitely suspended.As of 12:00 pm on March 15, Vietnam suspended all visas and will deny entry to travelers from the UK and the 26 Schengen countries; this includes travelers that have visited or transited through these countries in the past 14 days. This will be effective for 30 days.In addition, Vietnam has suspended visa on arrival for all foreign nationals except for those on official or diplomatic trips. Those who currently hold visas to enter Vietnam will need to undergo screenings and may be quarantined when entering the country.Ho Chi Minh City officials have announced restrictions on organizing meetings attended by over 1,000 people. In addition, all bars, clubs, cinemas, massage parlors, karaoke shops, and online gaming centers will be closed from 6:00 pm on March 15 until March 31. Officials in Hanoi have implemented similar measures until March 31.Vietnam railway authorities have suspended several domestic routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 16.Authorities in Binh Duong and Long An provinces have shut down all entertainment facilities such as cinemas, discos, massage parlors, and karaoke clubs.Health officials announced changes to mass lockdowns – they would enforce a small-scale lockdown applicable to households in the immediate vicinity of confirmed patients.Vietnam has mandated that people wear face masks at crowded places such as airports, bus stations, supermarkets and on public transport.The Formula 1 (F1) Vietnam Grand Prix in Hanoi scheduled for April 5 has been postponed due to the epidemic.Authorities have shut several tourist sites in Hanoi as well as Hoi An. All tourist activities in Quang Ninh province have also been suspended.The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 as a pandemic which is an “epidemic occurring worldwide” as per the WHO. To put this in context, the latest pandemic was declared in 2009 caused by the H1N1 swine flu.From March 12 to March 26 tourist attractions such as Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Yen Tu Complex will be closed to visitors.Vietnam Airlines stated that all flights from London and Frankfurt will be suspended from March 15 but reversed the ban allowing passengers meeting strict requirements to board flights.Two communes – Viet Hai and Gia Luan in Hai Phong were put under lockdown on March 9 after a British tourist with the virus visited there. This is in addition to four residential areas already under lockdown.Authorities have restricted all foreigners from the tourist destination of Ly Son island in Quang Ngai province from March 9. Vietnamese tourists entering the island will have to fill out health declarations. In addition, authorities have also barred tourists from Cham islands, off the coast of Hoi An from March 10.Vietnam launched a mobile app that will allow all Vietnamese to declare their health status. The government has urged citizens to update their health status on the app.Around 300,000 residents of Ha Long town were required to fill out health declaration forms from March 8 after 52 tourists traveled to Ha Long due to the epidemic.City authorities in Hanoi disinfected Truc Bach street where the first COVID-19 patient was detected, as well all main streets in Ba Dinh district as a precaution.The Vietnamese government is expected to unveil a credit package of US$10.8 billion and a fiscal package of US$1.3 billion in March for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.Health authorities will require all passengers arriving from any country into Vietnam to fill out health declaration forms from March 7.The Vietnamese Prime Minister has asked ministers and government officials to consider canceling foreign trips to the epidemic.Instant noodle demand has surged by 67 percent due to the COVID-19 epidemic. This was preceded by mouthwash at 78 percent as per a market study by Nielsen Vietnam.Vietnam will produce 10,000 COVID-19 test kits daily after a successful pilot and approval from the World Health Organization (WHO).Ethnic Vietnamese from South Korean and Italy will longer be granted visa-free entry from March 8.From March 1, all flights from South Korea will not be allowed to land at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports, instead they will be directed to Van Don (Quang Ninh province) and Can Tho airports for processing and quarantining of passengers.Vietnam on February 29 suspended the visa-waiver program for South Korean nationals. In addition, all incoming travelers from South Korea will be subject to a mandatory 14-day isolation.Vietnam Airlines and low-cost carrier Vietjet will temporarily suspend all flights to and from South Korea from March 5 and March 7 respectively. Earlier on February 26, Bamboo Airways had suspended all flights to and from South Korea.High school students in 58 provinces resumed classes from March 2, while elementary school students will resume classes on March 8. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City schools are expected to remain closed until the end of March.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on February 27, removed Vietnam from the list of destinations vulnerable to community transmission of COVID-19 citing Vietnam’s comprehensive actions against the epidemic. The CDC will also send a delegation in March to enhance medical cooperation between the US and Vietnam. It also plans to establish a CDC regional office in the country.Vietnam’s Prime Minister has ordered the tax authorities to reschedule tax payments to support businesses affected by COVID-19.Vietnam and China have agreed to reopen further border crossings to ease restrictions and normalize trade. Several border crossings in Quang Ninh, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Lang Son, and Ha Giang have reopened. However, backlogs remain, and other border crossings remain closed.Khanh Hoa province, home to the tourist destination of Nha Trang has been declared COVID-19 free as of February 26. The province has not reported any COVID-19 cases since February 4. Despite the epidemic, Russian tourists have continued to visit the tourist destination of Nha Trang with just a slight dip compared to last year in the same period.Vietnam’s labor ministry announced that it will stop issuing new work permits to foreigners who come from areas hit by COVID-19.Vietnam’s civil aviation authority suspended all flights to mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan on February 1. However, the authority lifted the ban for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan from February 2. Flights to and from mainland China (including transit) remain suspended.The northern province of Cao Bang, which shares its border with China has run out of rooms for quarantining people for those returning from China. Authorities there have had to send patients to neighboring provinces of Bac Kan and Thai Nguyen for isolation. Around 700 Vietnamese that arrived from China between February 4 and 22 have been kept in isolation in Cao Bang.Up to 300 businesses in Vietnam have temporarily suspended operations while others have downsized due to the outbreak.The novel coronavirus has been renamed as COVID-19 as per the World Health Organization (WHO). The Co and Vi come from coronavirus, with D meaning disease and 19 for 2019.The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has announced a list of medical supplies including masks, dry hand sanitizers, filters, epidemic prevent suits, among others exempt from tax until the epidemic ends.We are hearing accounts of travelers in more remote border crossings into Vietnam being denied entry if they possess any China visa history in their passport. While this may not be an official policy, it appears to be implemented at certain border crossings in more remote areas. If travel into Vietnam is required we recommend using the main border entry-exit points.Dezan Shira & Associates‘, Trent Davies, Manager of our Ho Chi Minh City office, spoke at an AmCham Vietnam event Impact of Novel Coronavirus on Your Health and Business in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During the event, Trent discussed the broad economic impact of the epidemic in Vietnam, especially in vulnerable industries such as education and tourism. A full summary can be found here.Vietnam issued Decision No.173.QD-TTg declaring coronavirus as an epidemic – in line with the World Health Organization’s declaration of the virus as a global health emergency.The government has ordered the health ministry to supervise and early detect infected cases, monitor border crossings, airports, and seaports, particularly for passengers coming from affected areas.Vietnam stopped issuing visas for Chinese tourists on January 30 as a temporary measure. Foreign visitors who have visited mainland China (including transit) in the past 14 days from arrival will also be denied entry into Vietnam.Passenger train services between Vietnam and China have been suspended until further notice, however freight train services between the two countries continue to operate.The labor ministry has also asked businesses to keep names and other information of Chinese and foreign workers who have visited virus affected areas. In addition, they must be quarantined for two weeks for health checks.Vietnam’s airports have been ordered to deploy additional personnel and coordinate with local health agencies to deploy body temperature scanning equipment as well as a screening of passengers.Building management of apartment buildings in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have begun body temperature checks for people entering the building. Ho Chi Minh City officials have asked building authorities to strengthen preventive measures at apartment buildings.25/03/20 - UPDATE ENDCOVID-19 Update for Vietnam 27/02/20All confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Vietnam cured, anti-epidemic measures strengthened16:34, February 26, 2020HANOI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's Ministry of Health on Wednesday announced that all the 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country had been cured and discharged from hospitals.The last patient discharged from hospital on Wednesday, also the last case confirmed in the country so far, is a 50-year-old resident of the northern Vinh Phuc province, which had the biggest cluster in the country with a total of 11 cases.The case was reported on Feb. 13 after his wife and two daughters, one of whom had been to central China's Wuhan, were confirmed to be infected with the virus.Vietnam has reported no confirmed case after Feb. 13, while Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has signed a directive to strengthen measures against the COVID-19 outbreak amid new concerning developments across the world.According to the document, Vietnam will deny entry to people from or transiting through the epidemic-hit regions of South Korea. Those on official missions will have to submit the health declaration forms and be obliged to 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in Vietnam.Meanwhile, Vietnamese citizens are told not to visit the epidemic-hit regions in the world except in necessary cases and when returning to Vietnam, they are subject to 14-day quarantine without exception, said the directive.Earlier the country's Transport Ministry announced that four Vietnamese flight carriers including Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific which have so far operated 14 flight routes between Vietnam and South Korea would reduce about 60 percent of flights between the two countries.Vietnam is prepared for all scenarios, including the worst-case one when thousands are infected with the novel corona-virus (nCoV), said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on Tuesday.The warning was given during a meeting of the Steering Committee for the Prevention and Control of Dangerous and Emerging Diseases, under the Ministry of Health, held in Hanoi.Vietnam is among several countries with confirmed infected cases after a pneumonia outbreak, caused by nCoV – a new strain of the corona-virus family that caused SARS and MERS, first surfaced in Wuhan City in December 2019.A report of the Vietnamese health ministry reveals that as of 6:00 pm on Tuesday, a total of 6,973 people had been suspected of being infected with the virus while 60 had been discharged from hospital after recovery around the world.The total number of confirmed corona-virus cases in China stands at 5,974 as of late Tuesday, Reuters quoted a report by China’s National Health Commission.The death toll has climbed to 132, all in China, on Wednesday, according to the British news agency.In Vietnam, among the suspected cases, 25 have tested negative for nCoV and 35 are still kept in quarantine.Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, Deputy PM Dam assessed that Vietnam is doing well in controlling the acute respiratory disease caused by nCoV.However, he insisted functional forces work hard to prevent it from spreading, given the complex development of the disease in China.He asked the Ministry of Health to prepare medicines and necessary equipment and promptly detect and quarantine nCoV patients, urging centrally-run and provincial hospitals to swiftly set up emergency teams in different localities.Treatment methods for nCoV should be exchanged at online meetings to be jointly held by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Information and Communications, he said.According to Dang Quang Tan, deputy director of the Vietnam General Department of Preventive Medicine, those suspected of carrying the virus are being quarantined and supervised in Vietnam.Meanwhile, one of the two Chinese nationals who were the first confirmed cases of nCoV in Vietnam has recovered at Ho Chi Minh City-based Cho Ray Hospital, according to Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son.“This proves that the Vietnamese medical sector has sufficient capacity to treat nCoV patients,” Son underlined.At Tuesday’s meeting, Deputy PM Dam also asked the Ministry of Health to complete and update its plans to deal with nCoV in specific situations on Monday.According to the health ministry’s assessment, the nCoV epidemic in Vietnam currently stands at level 1, which means there are infected cases.The ministry also said that it is already ready to cope with level 2, when there is local contagion, and has a plan to respond to level 3 when there are over 20 infected cases according to ASEAN standards.Deputy PM Dam asked that the health ministry continue to follow the prepared plan while working to add more specific scenarios, including the worst-case one where the number of infected cases in Vietnam reaches into the thousands.

Thank you Chinese Anonymous for your “concerns” but you clearly have not done any research. You should ask South Korea, Japan and Taiwan on why they have comparable R&D spending with China even though they don't have a big domestic market. They take advantage of global technology transfer and training and develop their own global R&D networks. You know, something China itself did back then.Global R&D localization / technology transferSamsung's establishment of the Vietnam R&D centre proceeded quickly after it was discussed as a key agenda in October 2018 and November 2019, when Prime Ministre Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Jay Y. Lee, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, had meetings in Hanoi and Seoul. With the total investment of $306 million, when the facility opens its gates, the number of employees of Samsung Vietnam Mobile R&D Centre (SVMC), will increase to 3,000 from the current 2,200.This is the first time Samsung Electronics build a building specifically for R&D activities overseas. It will also be the largest R&D centre raised by a foreign-invested enterprise in Vietnam.Qualcomm, the California-based tech giant said the new facility, aims to develop wireless technologies (4G, 5G) and Internet of Things (IoT) and provide testing services to local manufacturing partners like VinSmart, BKAV and Viettel. The testing center has three labs: a radio frequency (RF) lab to test radio chips and design evaluation and calibration; another to test power consumption and performance metrics (PPT); and a lab to adjust and test image sensors and measure the quality of sensor results. The last could refer to Image Signal Processor (ISP) units or the Snapdragon system on chip (SoC) in Qualcomm's virtual fingerprint recognition feature, since the company does not produce image sensors. The new plant is expected to help domestic businesses to develop and provide breakthrough "Make in Vietnam" products, the company said. Select candidates from the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge, an annual competition launched for Vietnamese startups in designing 5G, AI, IoT and other products, will receive training in business and intellectual property rights (IPR) and have access to the facility to develop new products.Bosch Vietnam, a subsidiary of Germany’s Robert Bosch GmbH, is operating a software and engineering R&D center belonging to Robert Bosch Engineering and the Business Solutions Vietnam Company, as well as an automotive R&D center for mobility solutions in Ho Chi Minh City. “We have set up a laboratory for smart cities and Industry 4.0 at the Bosch Software and Engineering R&D center in Ho Chi Minh City,” said Mr. Guru Mallikarjuna, Managing Director of Bosch Vietnam. “Initial investment for the laboratory is over $450,000. Around 30 associates are currently working at the new facility to develop and test various solutions.” He also revealed that the two R&D centers play a strategic role within the group’s global R&D network. “Bosch R&D centers in Vietnam have started taking over higher responsibility projects for Bosch customers worldwide,” he said. “This is an indication of the capability of the Vietnamese workforce to take part in the group’s global value chain. For example, at the Bosch Automotive R&D center, more than 60 associates have been working on customer projects in close collaboration with Bosch R&D centers in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North and South America. The Bosch Software and Engineering center is establishing itself towards becoming a regional development hub for Bosch’s Japan, China and ASEAN activities.”LG Electronics is considering building a new research and development (RD) center in Vietnam, industry sources said Friday, as it tries to expand its presence in the Southeast Asian market. During a meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Korean companies Wednesday, LG reportedly said it has a plan to build a new RD center in Vietnam, according to the sources. Korea's No. 2 electronics company already runs a RD center focused on its vehicle component solutions business in Hanoi. LG said it is currently looking for candidate sites in Vietnam but has not confirmed detailed plans for the new center, such as its research field, size and construction period. In 2014, LG set up a plant in Haipong, northern Vietnam, and has been fostering the facility as its global production base. LG Vietnam Haipong Campus produces home appliances, smartphones and in-vehicle infotainment components.Techtronic Industries, the world leader in power tools, accessories, hand tools, outdoor power equipment, plans to build the Vietnam’s biggest R&D center employing 2,000 engineers in Ho Chi Minh City Saigon High-tech Park. With the R&D center, the Hong Kong-based firm wants to contribute the development of industry and high technology in Vietnam by promoting local supply chains, Mr. Nate Easter, TTI executive vice president of Global Sourcing & Outdoor Products Operation told Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh on Tuesday. In the next 2 years, the company’s project could involve 180-200 Vietnamese enterprises in its supply chains, which have value of $2.5 billion annually. Domestic companies are projected to contribute 60% of the supply chain in in 2020 and 80% in 2021, Nate said.Piaggio has also set Vietnam to play a key role in the group’s growth strategy in the region. “The group set up the first and only Asia-based two-wheeler R&D center at its Vietnamese plant to meet the strong rise in demand for two-wheelers in the country and other Southeast Asian markets,” Mr. Gianluca Fiume, Chairman and General Director of Piaggio Vietnam, told Retail in Asia recently. “Our plans for Asian expansion continue to focus on R&D.” The R&D center, in northern Vinh Phuc province, has developed new vehicle concepts and new engine technology with the aim of cutting fuel consumption and emissions; factors that are of particular importance to Asian consumers. “It highlights Piaggio’s commitment to invest in added-value positions and innovation processes in Vietnam,” he said. “It also demonstrates the group’s dedication to enhancing the role of Vietnam as a hub in its worldwide strategy.”South Korea’s Dasan Zhone Solutions, one of global leaders in fiber access transformation for enterprises and service provider networks, has been cooperating with the Vietnam - South Korea Institute of Science and Technology (V-KIST) to develop R&D activities in Vietnam, for example in chipset design. Apart from accelerating investment in Vietnam, a raft of Japanese businesses is also considering transferring part of their R&D activities to the country.Japan-based Nidec Corporation has done the construction of a research and development (R&D) in the Saigon Hi-tech Park (SHTP) in Ho Chi Minh City and turning it into a place for technology transfer. Technology transfer by Nidec will provide a boost to the manufacturing sector and create a spillover effect, thus encouraging hi-tech investment in the city, Phong noted, promising to facilitate existing and fresh investments in the city.Panasonic R&D centerGlobal own R&D networksVietnam’s Vingroup officially launched “The VinTech Korea Research Center” in the City of Daegu, South Korea to research the applications of artificial intelligence, IoT technologies, robotics, and smart manufacturing plants as well as developing products and solutions for vehicles and transportation on Monday. The VinTech Korea Research (VRK) is the first research center of its kind to be opened by VinGroup in a foreign country. The company believes that the new research center will enable technology transfer, quality accreditation and attraction of high-quality human resources, meeting the diversified business activities of Vingroup in the future. According to reports, Vingroup is investing more than $11 million USD in the new research center. Daegu is the fourth largest city in Korea and the third largest metropolitan area in the country. The city has a population of 2.5 million people and is famous for its electronics industry.Vietnam's first domestic car manufacturer, VinFast has opened a research and development centre in the Australian city of Melbourne, in a move to support the company's plans for international expansion. The centre will have a staff of nearly 100 people and initially focus on developing both gasoline-driven and electric cars, VinFast, a unit of Vietnam's largest conglomerate Vingroup JSC, said in a press statement.Vingroup plans to open additional operations in China, Israel, Japan, Russia and the U.S with the projects to be members of the VinTech Research Network, whose main mission is R&D, the company said in a statement. The group also plans to manufacture electrical-electronic car components, industrial robots, and LCD screens for automotive products, phones and other household electronics.Viettel has more than 1,000 IT engineers and spends up to 300 engineers with a lot of experience for the 5G production research program. The group has approved an estimated VND500 billion (US$21.6 million) for the development of Microcell 5G and investing VND200 billion into a 5G lab. Viettel has worked with partners in the US, South Korea and India to produce chipset, software and hardware for 5G.Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) and Viettel High Technology Industries Corporation (VHT) signed an agreement to research and produce 5G chips. Under the agreement, the two sides will work together on the research and development of 5G integrated microchips, providing training on young human resource, deploying new technologies as well as sharing experiences. Through the co-operation, VHT expects to accelerate research on science and technology at universities by bringing experiments to business. The two sides agreed to resolve issues such as training, scientific research and technology transfer as well as other sectors based on bilateral, equal and mutual benefits. A contract was also signed under the agreement. Accordingly, HUTECH will provide consulting services, receiver design and transmitter for 5G chips for VHT. Nguyen Vu Ha, VHT’s general director, said the design and production of 5G chips under the Viettel brand would be an important step in its journey to master all technologies related to 5G. In addition, Viettel is also determined to research, design and manufacture 'Make in Viet Nam' chips. “In addition to co-operation with international companies to transfer technology, Viettel also co-operates with experts in the field of chip production at home and abroad, knowledgeable scientists at universities. Co-operating with universities is also a way for Viettel to create a realistic environment, put scientific research into practice, speeding up the digital transformation process in Viet Nam,” he said.FPT Okinawa R&D (FORD), the group’s 5th facility in Japan, will operate as a near-shore centre of FPT in the country to improve its accessibility to advanced technology to transform innovative and creative ideas into products and services. Chairman of FPT Group Truong Gia Binh was quoted as telling the Japanese media that it is also a centre for research and development (R&D) of advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and Big Data. FORD is also expected to play an important role in FPT’s globalisation strategy. FPT University in Okinawa is expected to have a four-year training programme, of which students will spend the first three years at the school and the last year training at business establishments.Head of FPT Software Technology Solution Department Le Hong Viet said that the establishment of an R&D Center in the US by FPT Software gives FPT Software a chance to get closer to the world technology world, capture and update accurately the development. technology development in the world to strengthen technology capacity and increase competitive advantage. “In the past, FPT Software used to update technology information late in the world. Having a research center and human resources located in Silcon Valley (USA) will help FPT Software to penetrate technology and catch up with the trend of the world." Therefore, the delay in action of FPT Software after having information is only about 6 months to a year". R&D Center staff is expected to move from Vietnam and foreign technology experts who are working in the flag country. FPT Software's expected the center will research and building technology products focused on new technologies such as mobile computing (Mobility), cloud computing ( Cloud Computing), large data (Big Data) and providing R&D services to customers.In 2016, FPT Global Automotive (FGA) – a strategic unit specializing on automotive technology solutions, was established with more than 1000 technology experts. In this field of technology, FPT Software has expertise in developing electronic control units (ECU), autonomous car software support system as well as connected car system. Until now, FPT Software has implemented above 150 projects in Automotive Industry for more than 20 clients in Japan, Korea, Europe and the United States.FPT is also the first company to publicly introduce solutions for self-driving cars in Vietnam in 2017. They use the power of Artificial Intelligence to deliver comprehensive autonomous solutions while integrating with other technologies. Vietnam’s ICT-related services group FPT Corporation is looking like the clear favourite to develop the central province of Binh Dinh’s ambitious AI hub, which is planned to turn it into a regional and global powerhouse in AI development. In late 2019, the corporation broke ground on its FPT University campus specialising in R&D and technology. This 5.7ha campus in An Phu Thinh urban area is expected to supply high-quality human resources especially in AI, a core technology of Industry 4.0, for Binh Dinh and the country and enabling the province to become a global AI centre. Previously, FPT established FPT Software Quy Nhon in 2018, also specialising in AI, with the target of employing a workforce of 500 within two years.Huro Probiotics – a member of The PAN Group has just been announced to participate in the Covid-19 preventive product research, development and production project called SPOR-COV with two other UK partners, Destiny Pharma and SporeGen. Unlike a specific immunotherapy approach such as a vaccine, SPOR-COV is a product aimed at stimulating the natural (innate) immune system to enhance its protection against viruses; At the same time, it is capable of simpler production and storage, thereby reducing production costs. Huro’s story is the latest example of the investment direction in R&D (research & development) that the PAN Group’s member businesses have pursued over the years.Previously, Vietnam Seed Corporation (Vinaseed), another member of PAN, exported the first batch of high quality rice to the EU after the EVFTA Free Trade Agreement took effect. Before that, by the end of 2019, this enterprise exported to Europe 2,000 tons of rice with a value of about 2 million USD, which is twice the average price of Vietnamese rice exported. In addition to building and developing standard VietGap material areas, Vinaseed had to invest in a modern production line that met the Dutch Food Safety System (FSSC 22000) standard. Similar examples were also recorded with other products of the group such as shrimp of Sao Ta Food Joint Stock Company, and Lafooco’s cashew nuts with the aim of enhancing and bringing agricultural products, food of Vietnam to the world. To prepare to exploit high-end markets such as the EU, from 2019, Vinaseed has put into operation the most modern center of seed and agricultural product processing industry in Vietnam in Dong Thap province, with synchronous technology from Japan.Viet My, quantum optical company, cooperated with R&D center to buy equipment to carry out advanced training on operating microchip equipment for 25 specialists at a cost of over 100 billion VND. As a result, the company has produced the 2,000th wafer chip for export, marking the first time a Vietnamese company self-researches, produces and sells high-end semiconductor chip components on the world market.TopDev has also named 7 pioneering companies which have made heavy investments to develop products rather than focus on outsourcing. They are TPS, Evolable Asia, FPT Software, Persol Vietnam, Sun, KMS Technology and Tinh Van.