Vietnam’s biggest information technology and telecommunications exhibition of the year opened in Hanoi Wednesday, offering fresh 3G (third generation) insights.

MobiFone and VinaPhone, two mobile network providers under Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), are displaying 3G cell phones with visual, television, Internet, searching and locating features.

3G, the better known form for International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000), entered Vietnam officially early this year.

The exhibition has attracted more than 200 businesses from 18 countries and territories who are displaying their products and services over an area of 6,000 square meters.

Brands seen at the exhibition include NTT DoCoMo, Huawei, ZTE, Orange France Telecom and Nokia Siemens Network.

DoCoMo, Japan’s largest mobile network, introduced touch screen phones with wood cover called Touch Wood, showing its support to the green IT campaign.

Many products were also sent by state-owned organizations such as Singapore Industry Automation Association (SIAA), Electronics & Information Industry Sub-Council of China, China PTAC Communication Service Co., Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association, and the French Embassy in Vietnam.

Le Nam Thang, deputy minister of Information and Communication, said at the opening ceremony that information and communication technology has great potential to develop further in the country and also be of great value in tackling challenges like climate change as well as in flood and storm rescue efforts.

Nokia, Samsung and LG Electronics are conspicuous absences at the event.

The exhibition, co-organized by VNPT and Hong Kong Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd.. will last until Saturday. It will include conferences on development trends and outlook for ICT sector during the economic crisis. Awards for a Vietnam competition on ICT ideas will also be given.

Source: Thanh Nien