[B&Company] Survey of IT Industry and Japanese Language Used in IT Companies in Vietnam

FINAL REPORT
October 2011
SURVEY OF IT INDUSTRY
AND JAPANESE LANGUAGE
USED IN IT COMPANIES
IN VIETNAM
Higher Education Development Support Program
on ICT (HEDSPI)
B&Company Vietnam Co., Ltd

SURVEY OF IT MARKET AND JAPANESE USED IN IT COMPANIES IN VIETNAM 2011
COPYRIGHTS
The “IT industry and Japanese language used in IT companies in Vietnam” survey was
held by the technical team of Higher Education Development Support Program on ICT
(HEDSPI), conducted by B&Company Vietnam Co., Ltd.
This report and all materials directly related to it are properties of Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA). All rights reserved.
B&Company Vietnam Co., Ltd is a Japan origin, market research and business management consultancy agency. For
further information, please visit www.b-company.jp

Copyright © JICA. All rights reserved.
1
SURVEY INTRODUCTION
1. Name and purpose
Named as “IT industry and Japanese language used in IT companies in Vietnam”, the
survey aims to improve syllabus and teaching materials of HEDSPI’s project,
strengthen IT employees’ ability in order to best fit to enterprises’ requirements.
2. Survey content
The survey includes:
(1) A desk research on IT industry and human resources in Vietnam
(2) A field research conducted in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city – the 2 biggest cities of
Vietnam. The field research covers interviews with 10 major universities offering IT
courses and questionnaires answered by 52 Japan-related IT companies and their IT
employees who understand Japanese of at least N5 level.
The concept of “Japan-related IT companies” refers to IT companies which have
investment from Japan or relationship with Japanese clients.
3. Duration
The survey was conducted from June 2011 to September 2011.
4. Desk research
The desk research uses a variety of documents released by Vietnamese & international
trustworthy organizations. Details on the names of the organization can be found in the
report. Unless otherwise indicated, all years mentioned in desk research are calendar
years.
5. Field research
The field research was conducted with the following characteristics:
(1) All the interviews with universities were face-to-face. Meanwhile, most of
interviews with companies were conducted face-to-face or via email. Phone interviews
were also implemented, if interviewees desired.
(2) The university interviews were conducted among leaders of the universities,
especially the Heads of IT faculties. The survey on companies was targeted to people at
management level or in HR department of the companies. Employees interviewed are

2
those who work on IT positions and understand Japanese at a certain level (at least N5).
(3) Duration of each interview depends on what kind of questionnaire being used,
ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. There are an interview content for universities and 2
types of questionnaires for companies and IT employees. Details of the interview
content and questionnaires can be found in the Appendix.
(4) There are 3 types of questions being used in the questionnaires:
MA (Multi-choice Answered question): Interviewees can choose more than one
answer from the list of answers.
SA (Single-choice Answered question): Interviewees can choose only one answer
from the list.
FA (Free Answered question): Interviewees can give their own answer.
(5) Answers to questions were input to a database, analyzed and reported by
B&Company Vietnam Co., Ltd.

3
REPORT STRUCTURE
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS........................................................................................6
CHAPTER 1 – IT INDUSTRY AND HUMAN RESOURCES IN VIETNAM........7
1.1. Overviewon IT industryin Vietnam.......................................................................7
1.1.1. Hardware industry ...........................................................................................................8
1.1.2. Software industry ...........................................................................................................11
1.1.3. Digital content industry .................................................................................................14
1.2. Foreign direct investment in IT industry............................................................15
1.3. IT application in Vietnam....................................................................................17
1.3.1. IT application in the government sector.......................................................................17
1.3.2. IT application among companies ..................................................................................18
1.3.3. IT application in households..........................................................................................19
1.4. Vietnam policies on IT sector...............................................................................20
1.4.1. IT industry development related policies .....................................................................21
1.4.2. IT application related policies .......................................................................................23
1.4.3. IT companies related policies ........................................................................................24
1.4.4. IT human resources related policies .............................................................................26
1.5. Human resources development in IT sector .......................................................28
1.5.1. IT human resources in Vietnam....................................................................................28
1.5.2. IT human resources development–a view from education system.............................29
LIST OF REFERENCES ............................................................................................35
CHAPTER 2 – IT TRAINING ACTIVITIES IN SOME MAJOR UNIVERSITIES
........................................................................................................................................37
2.1. University profile...................................................................................................37
2.2.IT education and training......................................................................................39
2.2.1. Students and teachers.....................................................................................................39
2.2.2. Education standards.......................................................................................................40
2.2.3. IT majors.........................................................................................................................40
2.3. Infrastructure ........................................................................................................61

4
2.4. Cooperation and research .................................................................................... 63
2.5. About ITSS and HEDSPI..................................................................................... 65
2.5.1. About ITSS and FE........................................................................................................ 65
2.5.2. About HEDSPI............................................................................................................... 66
CHAPTER 3 - JAPANESE LANGUAGE USED IN IT COMPANIES ................ 67
3.1. Companies ............................................................................................................. 67
3.1.1. Business fields................................................................................................................. 69
3.1.2. Employment size ............................................................................................................ 70
3.1.3. Japanese language ability of IT employees.................................................................. 71
3.2. IT employees.......................................................................................................... 72
3.2.1. Employee profile ............................................................................................................ 72
3.2.2. Japanese learning history.............................................................................................. 74
3.2.3. Japanese usage of IT employees ................................................................................... 75
3.2.4. Japanese and English comparison................................................................................ 84
3.2.5. Katakana usage.............................................................................................................. 85
3.2.6. Japanese development after joining Japanese companies.......................................... 89
3.2.7. Japanese usage besides work ........................................................................................ 92
3.2.8. Comparison of the being taught and using Japanese ................................................. 93
CHAPTER 4– CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................... 95
4.1. Situation of IT education and Japanese usage in IT companies in Vietnam... 95
4.1.1. IT industry and IT human resources of Vietnam ....................................................... 95
4.1.2. Requirement of Japanese language at work................................................................ 96
4.1.3. Situation of IT and Japanese education in Vietnam................................................... 97
4.2. Japanese speaking IT human resources related issues...................................... 97
4.2.1. Japanese learning agencies............................................................................................ 97
4.2.2. Curriculums of Japanese training agencies................................................................. 97
4.2.3. Necessity of different solutions for each Japanese level learner ................................ 98
4.3. Recommendations................................................................................................. 98
4.3.1. For Japan-related companies........................................................................................ 98
4.3.2. For Japanese education ................................................................................................. 99
4.3.3. For Japanese learners.................................................................................................... 99

5
CHAPTER 5 – APPENDIX.......................................................................................101
5.1. Questionnaires .....................................................................................................101
5.1.1. Questionnaire for companies.......................................................................................101
5.1.2. Questionnaire for employees .......................................................................................103
5.1.3. Questionnaire for universities .....................................................................................110
5.2. List of interviewed Companies and Universities ..............................................115
5.2.1. Companies.....................................................................................................................115
5.2.2. Universities....................................................................................................................119

6
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
No. Abbreviations Meanings
1. BPO Business Process Outsourcing
2 EGDI E-government Development Index
3. FDI Foreign Direct Investment
4. GDP Gross Domestic Product
5. GSO General Statistics Office of Vietnam
6. HCA Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association
7. ICT Information and Communications Technology
8. IT Information Technology
9. MIC Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam
10. MOET Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam
11. MOF Ministry of Finance of Vietnam
12. MPI Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam
13. ODA Official Development Assistance
14. UN United Nations
15. US United States

7
CHAPTER 1 – IT INDUSTRY AND HUMAN RESOURCES IN VIETNAM
1.1. Overview on IT industry in Vietnam
The Vietnam IT sector has been moving forward continuously, emerging as a leading
economic sector of the economy and contributing toward the growth of the country. IT
industry has been also considered to play an important role in the Vietnam’s strategy to
develop the national economy in the era of high technology.
Moreover, Vietnam is facing a risk of falling into the average-income trap1
, as it was
seriously alarmed by many economic experts. The country is showing much concern on
finding a sustainable development strategy for the whole economy with focuses on
high-value-added industries like IT. In other words, IT industry is expected to be the
key for Vietnam to avoid the trap.
Aware of the necessity of IT industry in the development, Vietnamese government has
been more determined to promote the growth of this important sector. This
determination has been clearly shown for the last more than 10 years with the issue of
many directions, legal documents, decrees and projects involved with IT. Many
incentives have been given to enterprises in IT industry. Besides, the project to turn
Vietnam into a magnificent nation in ICT the period 2015 – 2020 is a clear evidence for
this determination.
1
An average – income trap occurs when the economy of a country reaches a threshold which it cannot
pass because of its reliance on natural resources and other limited economic advantages. The growth
based on FDI, ODA, natural resources, large investment projects, securities and realty is not sustainable
for the long term, which must rely on value created by people. (Source: Prof. Kenichi Ohno, National
Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, presentation at the Vietnam Business Summit, held in Hanoi,
Vietnam on May 3rd
2011).

8
Although receiving bad influences from global financial crisis, Vietnam IT industry
still kept high growth rate. The revenue growth rate dropped to 18% in 2009, down
from 20% the previous year, but rose up to about 24% in 2010.
There was no big change in the proportions of sub-industries in IT since 2008, except a
small decline in the proportion of hardware against a slight increase in the proportion of
digital content.
IT revenue by sub-industries IT industry revenue growth rate
1.1.1. Hardware industry
The total revenue of Vietnam hardware industry increased steadily year by year and
reached 5.6 billion USD in 2010. Nonetheless, its growth rate fluctuated remarkably.
The growth of hardware industry was at a high rate of 58.7% in 2006, then sharply fell
to about 18% in the following year. After some other ups and downs since then, the
hardware revenue grew nearly 22% in 2010.
Unit: %
100% = 5,220 6,167
79 75 74
13 14 14
8 11 12
2008 2009 2010
7,629 Billion USD
Digital content
Software
Hardware
Unit: %
20.0
18.1
23.7
2008 2009 2010
Source: White Book on Vietnam ICT 2009, 2010, 2011, MIC.

9
Source: White Book on Vietnam ICT 2010, 2011, MIC.
* Vietnam IT Outsourcing 2007, Department of Information Technology , MIC.
However, the main activity of Vietnam hardware industry is still the assembly of
products, relying on imported articles and components. These activities brings low
added value to the Vietnam economy.
The export turnover of computers, digital products and components increased steadily
from 2006 to 2010 in spite of hardships caused by the global economic crisis.
Meanwhile, the import turnover still outnumbered the export since 2006. It can be
estimated from the figures that the export and import imbalance shows no sign to change
in 2011 and the gap seems to get larger and larger.
Source: GSO, Vietnam Customs
*Estimated (from a calculation of doubling the figure of the first 6 months of 2011)
2.54
3.00
4.10
4.63
5.63
58.7
18.1
36.7
12.9
21.7
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
2006* 2007* 2008 2009 2010
Revenue Growth rate
1.81
2.17
2.64 2.76
3.53 3.32
1.87
2.96
3.71 3.95
5.13
5.46
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011*
Unit: Billion USD Unit: %
Unit: Billion USD
Export and Import of computers, digital products and components
(from 2006 to 2011)
Import
Export
Revenue and growth rate of Vietnam hardware industry 2006 - 2010

10
It can be seen from the following charts that China, Korea and Japan were the main
exporters of computers, digital products and components to Vietnam, while the
countries imported much less than what they exported from Vietnam. In contrast,
Vietnam exported the products to US much more than importing from this country.
Source: Vietnam Customs
During the first half of 2011, China was Vietnam’s biggest business partner in both
import and export of computers, digital products and components. China ranks the first
among exporters of the products to Vietnam, with 892.3 million USD and, followed by
Korea with 685.3 million USD and Japan with 435.8 million USD.
In the meantime, Vietnam’s export turnover to these countries was far lower than that
of import. Whereas Vietnam has exported 264 million USD to China, Japan only
imported 174.8 million USD of computers, digital products and components from
Vietnam. Especially, United States ranked the second in Vietnam’s export markets of
computers, digital products and components with 234.8 million USD although Vietnam
imported few computers or digital products from this country.
35.8
41.6
60.3
71.4
89.4
137.1
174.9
435.8
685.3
892.3
Indonesia
Philippines
US
Thailand
Singapore
Taiwan
Malaysia
Japan
Korea
China
46.6
47.2
51.7
74.8
112.3
122.6
141.3
174.8
234.8
264.0
Korea
Arab
Mexico
Thailand
Singapore
Dutch
Hongkong
Japan
US
China
Unit: Million USD
Import of computers, digital products
and components by countries
(6 month period of 2011)
Export of computers, digital products
and components by countries
(6 month period of 2011)

11
1.1.2. Software industry
There was an upward trend in the revenue of Vietnam software industry for the past 5
years, making a record of more than 1 billion USD in 2010. The revenue growth rate of
the software industry showed a remarkable performance, reaching the peak at 48% in
2008 with 680 million USD. However, as the widespread consequences of the serious
global crisis, the software industry also suffered a considerable decline in the growth
rate during the 2 following years. The revenue of Vietnam software industry still kept
on an upward tendency, however, at a much lower growth rate than 2008, commonly
25% in 2009 and 2010.
Source: Vietnam Software and IT services Association.
*Forecasted
Vietnam’s software export has been rising steadily for the last decade. During the
period 2008 – 2010, the turnover of software export increased slightly, from 131
million USD in 2008 to 155 million USD in 2010.
325
458
680
850
1064
30
41
48
25 25
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010*
Revenue (million USD) Growth rate
131 130 155
2008 2009 2010
Revenue and growth rate of Vietnam’s software industry
Unit: Million USD Unit: %
Vietnam’s export of software 2008 -2010
Unit: Million USD
Source: HCA

12
Moreover, Vietnam off-shoring industry has been highly evaluated for the past years.
As stated in A.T.Kearney Global Services Location Index (GSLI) 2011, Vietnam rose
to 5.69 points and became the eighth country most appealing to the outsourcing in the
world.(A.T.Kearney, Inc is a globally prestigious 85 year-old management consulting
firm with its locations in 38 countries worldwide.)
Established in 2004, the GSLI analyzes and ranks 50 countries worldwide as the best
destinations for providing outsourcing activities, including IT services and support,
contact centers and back-office support. A.T.Kearney GSLI is designed as a tool to
understand and compare factors that make countries attractive for IT, BPO and other
business services. The Index measures the viability of countries as offshore destinations
based on their financial costs, people skills and availability, and business environment.
Especially, A.T.Kearney’s assessment of Vietnam’s financial attractiveness is really
impressive. Financial attractiveness is made up by 3 components including
compensation costs, infrastructure costs and tax and regulatory costs. Vietnam was the
leading location with 3.27 points, surpassing China, the second country with 2.62
points or Malaysia, ranked the third with 2.78 points. The business environment was
also reliable and captivating with 1.24 points. Nevertheless, Vietnam’s people skills
and availability was low and only got 1.19 points.
Source: The 2011 A.T.Kearney Global Services Location Index, A.T.Kearney Inc
Note: The weight distribution for the three categories is 40:30:30. Financial attractiveness is rated on a
scale of 0 to 4, and the categories for people skills and availability, and business environment are on a
scale of 0 to 3.
From 2005 to 2011 the score has seen the dramatic rise of Vietnam in A.T.Kearney’s
standings, implying that Vietnam is becoming a more attractive outsourcing provider of
the world.
Country Financial
attractiveness
People skills
and
availability
Business
environment
Total score Rank
India 3.11 2.76 1.14 7.01 1
China 2.62 2.55 1.31 6.49 2
Malaysia 2.78 1.38 1.83 5.99 3
Egypt 3.10 1.36 1.35 5.81 4
Indonesia 3.24 1.53 1.01 5.78 5
Mexico 2.68 1.60 1.44 5.72 6
Thailand 3.05 1.38 1.29 5.72 7
Vietnam 3.27 1.19 1.24 5.69 8
Philippines 3.18 1.31 1.16 5.65 9
Chile 2.44 1.27 1.82 5.52 10
The 2011 A.T.Kearney Global Services Location Index

13
Source: The 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 A.T.Kearney Global Services Location Index, A.T.KearneyInc
Moreover, the low cost is a great advantage of Vietnam. According to Payscale, a
market leader in global online compensation data with the world's largest database of
individual employee compensation profiles, a software engineer in Vietnam can earn
just 17 percent of his counterpart in the US. The salary of the Vietnamese engineer was
slightly lower than that of a Malaysian or Chinese, and much cheaper than that of
Singaporean. However, software engineer salary in Vietnam was still higher than that
of India, Philippines and Indonesia.
Source: PayScale, Sourcing Line, February 2010
5.00
5.50 5.47 5.69
2005 2007 2009 2011
8.3
9.5
11
17
18.5
20.6
21.6
47
100
Indonesia
Phillipines
India
Vietnam
Thailand
China
Malaysia
Singapore
US
Index
Vietnam’s score rankings in
Global Services Location Index
26/50
17/50
10/50
8/50
Rank
Salary comparison of software engineers in different countries
(compared with US)
Unit: %

14
1.1.3. Digital content industry
The digital content industry in Vietnam has been developing remarkably. Between
2008 and 2010, the revenue of Vietnam digital content industry rose by twice, from 440
million to 934 million USD.
Source: White Book on Vietnam ICT 2010, 2011, MIC.
The digital content industry has been expanding rapidly for the last few years. Its fields
have been also branched off and specialized clearly. Electronic newspapers are no
longer dominant in the digital content industry. Games online and services for mobile
users have been growing incredibly.
440
690
934
2008 2009 2010
Revenue of digital content industry
Unit: Million USD

15
649
142
306
306
359
487
594
670
766
1,053
7,631
Others
Education and Training
Transport and Storage
Accommodation and catering
Real estate business activities
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery
Wholesale, Retail and Repairing
ICT
Construction
Specialized Contracts
Manufacturing
17,597
346
3,217
11,803
46,431
3,171
1,821
4,841
11,917
795
99,891
1.2. Foreign direct investment in IT industry
With 670 projects, Vietnam ICT industry ranked the fourth in the number of FDI projects
licensed in Vietnam by August 2011. This figure also shows the potential and attraction of
Vietnam ICT industry. The amount of registered capital of valid FDI projects by the same
time was at remarkable number of about 4.8 billion USD.
Registered capital of valid FDI projects
(by August 20, 2011)
Number of FDI projects licensed in ICT
(by August 20, 2011)
Unit: Million USDUnit: Projects
Source: Foreign Investment Agency, MPI.

16
In the aspect of the average capital of valid FDI projects in Vietnam, ICT fell to the
sixth with about 7.23 million USD per project. It was far left by that in real estate
and business activities, the first at 129.34 million USD or manufacturing, the fourth
at 13.09 million USD.
The number of new FDI projects licensed has showed a downward trend for the last few
years, falling from 94 projects in 2008 to 55 projects in 2010. Accordingly, the new
registered FDI capital has sharply decreased from 2.4 billion USD to 71.5 million USD over
the years. By August 20th, 2011, with 27 new projects and 26 million USD of capital, the
situation has no sign of recovery in this year. It can be said that the decline implies bad
influences of the world economic slowdown. However, Vietnam with 4.8 billion USD
registered capital in the valid FDI projects on ICT, still has plenty of FDI capital for the
industry.
27.00
0.75
2.43
3.07
6.51
7.23
10.51
13.09
15.56
38.57
129.34
Others
Specialized Contracts
Training and Education
Wholesale, Retail and Services
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
ICT
Transport, Storage
Manufacturing
Construction
Accommodation and catering
Real estate business activities
2438.2
67.6 71.5
25.91
9.3
25.5
0.9
3.65
2008 2009 2010 by 20th, Aug
2011
16 17
7 4
94
63
55
27
2008 2009 2010 by 20th, Aug 2011
Registered capital of FDI projects in
ICT (2008 – August 2011)
Number of yearly FDI projects
licensed in ICT 2008 – August 2011
Average registered capital of valid FDI projects in Vietnam by industries
(up to August 20, 2011)
Unit: Million USD
Unit: Projects
New FDI capital
Unit: Million USD
Supplementary
FDI capital
New projects
Supplemented projects

17
1.3. IT application in Vietnam
1.3.1. IT application in the government sector
According to E-government survey held by UN in 2010, Vietnam ranked the 90th
among 192 countries of the world, and the 6th
of 11 countries in Southeast Asia in the
E-government development index. The country has been successful in its determination
to apply IT but the progress of E-government application was slow and still limited by
many drawbacks related to awareness, communication fees and a shortage of human
resources.
E-government development Index* in South-East Asia (2010)
Source: E-Government survey 2010, UN
*E-government development index (EGDI) is a weighted average of the most important factors which
are online service Index, Telecommunication Index and Human Capital Index with the following weights
respectively: 0.34, 0.33 and 0.33. The maximum value is one and the minimum is zero.
EGDI = (0.34 x Online service Index) + (0.33 x Telecommunication Index) + (0.33 x Human Capital Index)
Vietnam E-government ranking (2004-2010)
Source: E-Government survey 2010, UN; Report on the Application of Information Technology 2010, MIC.
0.44
0.43
0.23
0.26
0.28
0.29
0.40
0.45
0.46
0.47
0.48
0.61
0.75
World average
Sub-regional average
Timor-Leste
Laos
Myanmar
Cambodia
Indonesia
Vietnam
Philippines
Thailand
Brunei Darussalam
Malaysia
Singapore
98
112 105
91 90
2003 2004 2005 2008 2010

18
Vietnam E-government is also reflected by the Internet usage in ministries. However,
governmental organizations use the Internet mainly for E-mailing or uploading
information and guidelines about regulations, policies strategies or plans into the
Internet. Other functions are mostly unpopular.
In 2005, the Vietnamese government decided to carry out Project 112 which was
considered to be a milestone for the development of E-government in Vietnam. Project
112 focused on internal administration, almost ministries and national department and
64 provincial governments developed their websites linked to the government portal
(www.chinhphu.vn/portal). Particularly, its objectives were to have the State
administrative management computerized, integrate national information database,
train the State officials and provide online services and procedures to the public.
However, the project failed to carry out its proclaimed missions and was strictly
criticized for its wastefulness and weaknesses in implementing and management. In
2007, the Government discontinued Project 112 and since then, there has been no such
big project to carry out for the e-government development.
Besides the lack of a comprehensive and strategic plan, Vietnam E-government has
been also facing many difficulties such as the severe gap in IT infrastructure between
urban and rural area, the low proportion of Internet users among the population and the
shortage of well-trained government officials.
1.3.2. IT application among companies
According to a Report on the Application of Information Technology carried out by
MIC in 2010 on 1200 enterprises, it is revealed that the average number of computers
per company was 12, increased 20% comparing with 2009.
Internet usage purposes of companies kept remaining as searching, information
exchange which accounted for 92% and 87% respectively of all the surveyed
companies. Few companies used the Internet for more advanced application, such as
order management or online shopping.
Purposes of Internet usage in enterprise in 2010
Source: Report on the Application of Information Technology 2010, MIC
100%=1,200 companies
3.8
10.8
12.9
87.1
92.0
Online shopping
Order management
Advertising and marketing
Information exchange
Searching

19
E-mail and accounting were still the most popular software applications among
companies while software for salary and human resources management or product
management remained unpopular.
Purposes of software applications in enterprises (2010)
1.3.3. IT application in households
The percentage of Internet users among Vietnamese population has increased gradually
since 2004 and reached up to over 30% of the population in 2010.
Percentage of Internet users among total population
However, there are only a small proportion of Vietnamese households owning
computer. Even though the figures had been improved remarkably over the years, it
could reach 15% in 2010.
Percentage of households with computers
0.5
0.6
0.7
1.4
1.5
1.5
8.6
73.8
91.6
95.3
Supply chain management
Corporate management
Provider management
Customer relationship management
Dispatch management, storage software
Product management
Salary & HR management
Accounting
E-mail
Office software
7.69
12.9
17.67 21.05 24.4 26.55 31.11
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
5.1
7.7
10.4
13.6 14.8
2004 2006 2008 2009 2010
100%=1,200 companies
Unit: %
Unit: %
Source: Report on the Application of Information Technology 2010, MIC.

20
In 2010, The Directorate for IT Application Promotion of MIC surveyed 603 people at
the age from 18 to 36 in the 2 biggest cities of Vietnam - Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.
According to the survey results, almost all Vietnamese surveyed used the Internet for
reading news, e-mailing, or searching and downloading documents. Other main
activities were for relaxing purposes such as watching videos or photos, joining social
networks or forums. Whereas, other online services such as online shopping, online
banking remained unpopular in Vietnam.
Purposes of daily using Internet (2010)
100%= 603 people
1.4. Vietnam policies on IT sector
Considering the IT industry as one of the main industries in the national economy,
Vietnam promulgated a number of regulations, decrees and plans relating to IT for the
purpose of promoting the newly-born industry. All of them were published in order to
help the industry develop properly according to the Ministry of Information and
Communication’s plan.
On October 6th
2005, Vietnam issued the Decision 246/2005/QĐ-TTg, “Strategy for
ICT development of Vietnam till 2010 and orientations towards 2020”. The strategy
acted to basically formulate goals, ways and contents of the ICT development until
2020. The document emphasized the development of ICT application, industry,
infrastructure and human resources as the strategic contents for the development of ICT
in Vietnam. The law documents involved with IT afterwards either reinforced these
factors or gave more details of each factor.
5
8
10
13
21
30
35
52
60
74
89
95
Online payment, banking transactions
Online shopping
Game
Searching for job
Reading/writing E-diary (Blog)
Accessing retail website to search for sale
Joining in online forums
Joining in social networks
Watching videos or pictures
Searching and downloading documents
E-mail
Reading news

21
Besides, the publication of Law on Information Technology by the National Assembly
on July 12th
2006 with six chapters helped to build the legal frame for the activities
involved with IT. The Law dealt with IT application, IT development, disputes and
violations.
In the instruction “The taking-off strategy of the period 2011 - 2020” of July 7th
2007,
two main guidelines as following were put a strong emphasis on:
- Taking the development of the IT human resources with the high academic
standards as a breaking-through phase.
- Expanding stably into the regional and global market based on the rapid
development of the domestic market.
On the basis of these initial guidelines, the law documents continued to give more
details.
1.4.1. IT industry development related policies
Up to now, Vietnam has issued a range of legal documents for the purpose of making
good conditions for the promising IT industry which is as followed:
2
2
Draft 2.8 was made public for opinions from November 1st 2010 to November 12th 2010 by MIC. The
draft caught on many comments and there have been no supplementary law documents for the draft up to
the time of this report.
Allocating the national budget of 2,300 billion VND from 2011 to
2015 for projects of Vietnam IT industry development. The main
projects include a project of providing low-priced computers for
authorities in remote and difficult areas, teachers, students and
rural households (880 billions); a project of developing MIC’s IT
focus areas in Bac Ninh (450 billions); a project of establishing the
center of human resources development for Vietnam’s IT industry
(100 billion); a project of establishing the center to impulse the
open source software in Vietnam (95 billions); a project of
establishing the center to promote IT services in Vietnam (80
billions); a project of building the national brand of Vietnam IT
industry (50 billions); a project of standardizing the highly
qualified human resources in IT industry to meet the industrial
production requirements (47 billions); and a project of establishing
the information center about Vietnam IT industry.
1. Draft
2.8 by
MIC on
November
1st
2010 2
National program developing information technology till 2015 and
orientations to 2020

22
2.Decision
No.1755/
QĐ-TTg
by Prime
Minister
on
September
22nd
2010
Approval of the project “Making Vietnam become a magnificent
nation in information and communication technology”
By 2015:
- Vietnamese enterprises are able to design and produce
devices in replace of imported parts, manage to make Vietnam
branded hardware; developing IT corporations to meet
ASEAN standards, some of them have their revenue of over
10 billion USD.
- Vietnam becomes one of the leading 15 nations in
providing services of making software and digital contents.
By 2020:
- Founding organizations focusing on researching and
inventing high-tech new products; many Vietnamese
enterprises attain world standard, the revenue of some
enterprises reaches over 15 billion USD.
- Vietnam falls in the group of 10 nations leading in
managing software and digital content.
3. Decision
No.50/200
9/QÐ-TTg
by Prime
Minister
on April
3rd
2009
Management regulations on projects of software industry
development and projects of digital content industry in Vietnam
By 2012, the government will spend 980 billion VND on 18
content groups of the Program which include:
- Surveying on IT (20 billions)
- Improving the government’s management on IT (75.6
billions)
- Supporting powerful enterprises in software and digital
content industries (30 billions)
- Fund of software and digital content development (40
billions)
- Founding fund of HR development for software and digital
content industry (40 billions)
- Supporting enterprises to follow CMMI standards (60
billions)
Organizing short training courses for enterprises (30 billions).
4. Directive
No. 5/2008/
CT-BTTTT
by MIC on
July 8th
2008
Promoting the development of information technology industry in
Vietnam
MIC assigns the respective tasks of attaining the goals of IT
development set by the Government and Prime Minister to the
departments under MIC, IT enterprise associations.

23
It is obvious that the policies have shown positive changes. The systematic law
documents were issued reasonably chronologically. The responsibilities have been
given to the authorities. Despite a bit of lack of clarity, the directives provide more
expectation to the development of Vietnam’s IT industry.
1.4.2. IT application related policies
3
3
According to MOF, there are four levels of public services applied to Vietnam E-government are as following:
Level 1: Full information of procedures and necessary documents
Level 2: Downloading forms, profiles for printing allowed
Level 3: Filling out and submitting forms and profiles online allowed.
Level 4: Charges payment made online, results sent and received by post or through the Internet.
1. Decree
No.43/201
1 NĐ-CP
by Prime
Minister
on June
13th
2011
- Differentiating the levels of the quality of public services
providing information
- Legal requirements of a public service and government’s
electronic portals
- Giving regulations on providing information, offering public
services and maintaining websites and electronic information
portals
3. Decision
No.1755/
QĐ-TTg by
Prime
Minister on
September
22nd
2010
By 2015:
- Providing the public service online3
to citizens and enterprises
at the level 2 and 3, 80% enterprises and social organizations apply
information technology in management and production.
- Applying information technology economic – social issues
By 2020:
Vietnam’s electronic government ranks good globally. Vietnam
stands in the group of the leading nations in terms of availability of
electronic governments. Main services are supplied online to the
citizens and enterprises at the level 4.
Regulations on supplying information and online services on the
government’s websites and electronic portals
Approval of "The scheme to early make Vietnam a country strong
in information and communication”
2. Circular
No.06/2011/
TT-BTTTT by
MIC on
February 28th
2011
Giving methods of calculating the total value of investment, the
total estimate, cost management in plans of IT application.
Regulations on setting up and managing investment cost in IT
application

24
The goals set in the documents are, to some extent, clear but the popularization of IT
applications may need more time than expected with Vietnam’s current conditions. The
effort of increasing Vietnam’s ICT power globally requires a lot of more detailed plans
and feasible steps. The optimism of Vietnam’s IT application is the basis of the
attainment of the above goals.
1.4.3. IT companies related policies
Aware of the great role of creating motivation for companies in IT industry, the
government and MIC have launched a range of documents and projects for purposes of
support and promotion. Since the early years of the 21st
century, the awareness of
strengthening IT industry has been consistently raised with the issue of the decrees,
regulations and projects backing up the development of IT companies.
4. Decision
No.1073/
QĐ-TTg by
Prime
Minister on
July 12th
2010
By 2015:
- 80% enterprises have their websites
- 70% supermarkets, shopping centers and distributors allow
payments without cash.
- 50% water, electricity, communication providers accept
payments through electronic devices.
1. Draft
2.8 by
MIC on
November
1st
2010
National program developing information technology till 2015 and
orientations to 2020
- In support of firms in building and applying production process,
management according to international standards; favoring key
firms in developing IT.
- Investing preferentially in IT enterprises for magnificent ones;
assisting Vietnam’s powerful companies in taking the role of
general contractor of projects developing IT on state capital;
- Applying the most preferential policies for high technology
development in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Da Nang and 3 hardware
and electronic industrial complex in the North, Central and South.
Approval of the gross project of developing E-commerce from 2011 to
2015

25
2. Circular
No.96/201
1/TT-BTC
by Ministry
of Finance
on July 4th
2011
Instruction on executing financial policy on developing some
supporting industries
- Materials unavailable in Vietnam and directly used for software
manufacture are exempted from import and export taxes.
3. Decision
No.1755/
QĐ-TTg
by Prime
Minister
on
September
22nd
2010
in information and communication technologies”
- Proposing a favorable legislative environment for domestic firms
to make investment abroad
- Give most advantageous treatment to investment projects in
remote areas
- Building preferential tax policies for companies in information
technology
- Varying the financial sources for the projects in information
technology such as government’s capital, ODA capital, credit capital
-Decreasing or exempting fee of land use for companies in
information technology.
4. Decree
No.124/20
08/NĐ-CP
by Prime
Minister
on
December
11th
2008
Detailed provisions and instructions of executing law of corporate
income tax.
- Applying the tax rate 10% to newly founded enterprises from the
projects in making software products. (since 2005)
- Tax exemption for 4 years and decrease the tax by 50% for the
next 9 years for newly founded enterprises from the projects in
making software products.
- Time for tax exemption is counted consecutively from the first
year the enterprises gain taxable income from the projects. In case
of those not getting taxable income for the first 3 years, since the
first revenue gained from the project, the time for tax decrease or
exemption takes effect since the fourth year.

26

1.4.4. IT human resources related policies
Vietnamese government has launched a variety of legal documents giving general
directions for the development of Vietnamese IT human resources. In general, the
targets in the documents showed little sign of feasibility while practical strategies to
achieve the goals have not been clearly publicized.
5. Circular
No.123/20
04/TT-
BTC by
Ministry of
Finance on
December
22nd
2004
Instructions on implementation of tax incentives for software
enterprises (founded from 2000 - 2005)
- Corporate income tax: Similar to the above but since the
corporate’s day of foundation and business commence.
- VAT: exempt for software products and services consumed in
Vietnam and 0% for software products and services for export.
- Import and export tax: exempt for materials unavailable in
Vietnam and directly used for software manufacture.
6. Circular
No.31/200
1/TT-BTC
by
Ministry of
Finance on
May 21st
2001
Instructions on implementing tax incentives for investment
promotion and software industry development (those founded
before 2000).
- Corporate income tax
+ For foreign invested companies subject to Vietnam’s Law of
investment: 10%
+ For Vietnam’s and foreign enterprises not subject to Vietnam’s
Law of foreign investment): 25%; 20% to those located in the
socially and economically poorly conditioned areas and 15%
located in extremely poorly conditioned areas
+ Tax exemption for software companies: 4 consecutive years
from the time of gaining taxable income.
- VAT and import – export tax: Similar to the regulations in the
Circular No.123/2004/TT-BTC by MOF.

27
1. Decision
No.1755/
QĐ-TTg
by Prime
Minister
on
September
22nd
2010
in information and communication technologies”
By 2015:
- 30% ICT graduates have enough expertise and foreign language
ability to join the global labor market.
- 100% students and high school pupils are taught with IT.
- 80% elementary pupils are taught with IT.
By 2020:
- The labor power in information technology reaches 1 million.
ability to join the global labor market.
2. Decision
No.698/
QĐ-TTg
by Prime
Minister
on June 1st
2009
Master plan on IT human resources development by 2015 and
orientations towards 2020
By 2015:
- Similar to the goals of the Directive No.1755/QĐ-TTg.
- The expected expenditure for the plan of 2009 - 2015 is 9000
billion VND
By 2020:
- 90% IT lecturers at universities and 70% IT lecturers at colleges
have at least Master’s degree.
- 30% IT lecturers at universities have PhD degree.
3. Decision
No.05/200
7/QĐ-
BTTTT by
MIC on
October
26th
2007
The development plan on Vietnam’s IT human resources by 2020
By 2015:
- 70% lecturers at universities and over 50% lecturers at colleges
have at least Master’s degree.
- Over 50% lecturers at universities and at least 10% lecturers in
colleges have PhD.
ability to join the global labor market
- 250,000 IT employees are available for enterprises, in which 50%
are at least bachelors, 5% get at least Master’s degree.
By 2020:
The rate of ICT graduates able to join the global labor market
increases to 90%.

28
1.5. Human resources development in IT sector
1.5.1. IT human resources in Vietnam
The number of employees in IT industry increased gradually from 2008 to 2010.
According to the White Books of MIC, in 2010 there were over 250 thousand people,
half of those were working in the hardware industry. The proportion of employees in
the digital content industry rose slightly while that in the software industry remained
unchanged at about 30%.
According to the global services location index of A.T.Kearney, Inc, education and
labor force (both of scale and availability) were not highly evaluated. While the former
only got 0.68 point, the latter was marked at 1.22 points, only better than the two other
Southeast Asian nations, Thailand and Indonesia. It is clear that there have been still a
variety of issues in Vietnam human resources in off-shoring industry.
55 54 51
29 28 29
16 18 20
2008 2009 2010
1.08
1.38
1.77
1.91
1.18
2.61
3.9
4.34
0.68
0.83
0.63
1.72
2.22
2.22
1.22
1.94
1.16
1.24
1.09
1.52
1.33
1.39
0.97
1.22
1.03
1.22
1.1
1.38
1.06
1.25
Vietnam
Philippines
Thailand
Malaysia
Indonesia
Singapore
China
India
Relevant Experience
Size and availability
of labor force
Education
Language capabilities
Digital Content industry
Hardware industry
Software industry
Employees in IT Industry
Source: White Book on ICT 2011, MIC.
100%=200,000
people
226,300 250,290
Source: The 2011A.T.Kearney Global Services Location Index, A.T.Kearney Inc
Quality and availability of the labor force in off-shoring Industry
9.2
8.51
5.54
5.09
4.6
4.59
4.38
3.96

29
In particular, Vietnamese’s language capabilities score was only 0.97, lower than many
countries in the same region. In the aspect of relevant experience and language
capabilities, Vietnam stood at the bottom compared with the other Asian countries with
1.08 and 0.97 points respectively.
Disadvantages in the workforce are an obstacle for Vietnam IT industry while efforts in
education, training, policy and investment need more time to bring about positive
effects. However, MIC predicts in 2015, the IT domestic companies will demand
411,000 peoples who have the expertise in ICT. Among them, 217,000 people graduate
from universities and colleges, and 194,000 people graduate from vocational schools.
Comparing with the total workforce of about 250 thousand employees in IT industry,
Vietnam apparently have to improve both of the number and quality of its IT
employees to obtain the policy targets mentioned above.
1.5.2. IT human resources development - a view from education system
The IT training system in Vietnam grew in both scale and variety. The number of
universities and colleges* offering IT courses increased gradually from 192 in 2006 to
277 in 2010.
* University and College
The Vietnamese conceptions of „Đại học‟ and „Cao đẳng‟ which are respectively translated as
„University‟ and „College‟ in English refer to 2 different level schools of higher education in Vietnam.
As defined by MOET, college programs which last 3 years are for those with high school or secondary
vocational school certificates. College education can provide students with fundamental knowledge as
well as practical and problem-solving skills for specific careers.
Undergraduate programs normally known as „Đại học‟ take four to six years for those with upper
secondary school or secondary vocational school certificates, and one to two years for those having
completed college programs of the same area. Undergraduate studies provide the student with
consolidated professional knowledge and practical skills for a specific career, and with skills
necessary for identifying and solving problems arisen in the field of studies.
Universities can offer college, undergraduate, master and doctorate programs as assigned by MOET
and students that graduate from undergraduate programs of University are awarded with Bachelor
Degrees. Colleges can offer college programs and other lower level programs and students that
graduates from colleges are awarded with College Diplomas.
Source: Website of MOET (http://en.moet.gov.vn)

30
Along with the increase in the number of training agents, the number of IT enrolment
quotas4
has also increased for some years. In 2010, the total quota of IT student
enrolment rose to more than 60 thousand students, about twofold as many as in 2006
and equivalent to approximately 12% of the total enrolment quota.
As reported in the 2011 Vietnam e-Government Symposium by the Department of
Information Technology, MIC, in 2010 there were over 169,000 students studying ICT
and about 35,000 ICT graduates in Vietnam.
4
Quota: It is laid down in the decision 795/QĐ – BGDĐT and 649/QĐ – BGDĐT of MOET on the
regulations of defining enrolment quotas for universities and colleges that the enrolment target will be at
the request of each university and college with permission from the Ministry. The enrolment target is
named “Quota”. The final quota is made based on the two factors including ratio between teachers and
students and usable area per student.
Particularly, to ICT universities and colleges, the ratio of teachers to students must reach a minimum of
1 to 20 and the usable area for a student is at least 2 square meters. The quota will be decided on the
basis of the lower one in the case that one of the two requirements is not met.
Number of ICT
Universities and Colleges
ICT Enrolment quota of
Universities and Colleges
192
219
271 271 277
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
30
40
50
56
60
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Source: White Book on ICT 2011, MIC.
Unit: Colleges/Universities Unit: Thousand students

31
Besides universities and colleges, there are a number of IT training centers providing IT
courses. As a report of HCA, in 2010 there were roundly 100 IT training centers in
Vietnam, among them, there were 5 IT training centers with the best training quality in
Vietnam.
IT centers ranking training and education
Rank Name of IT center
1 APTECH Vietnam
2 FPT Aptech Training Center
3 FPT Arena
4 NIIT Vietnam
5 IT center of natural sciences HCMC
Source: ICT ranking 2011, HCA
Furthermore, in 2010, there were 82 vocational colleges and 220 vocational centers and
schools training IT technicians.
According to the Global Competitiveness Report, the score of how well the education
system meets the need of the economy rose from 2.6 points in 2008 to 3.8 points in
2010, overcoming Cambodia and Thailand.
Score of how well the education system meets the need of a competitive
economy from 2008 to 2010
Singapore 1
United States 26
Japan 35
India 39
China 53
Vietnam 61
a
China
Japan
Japan
Thailand 66
a
Vietnam
China
Japan
JapanChina
Japan
Japan
Cambodia 82
a
Vietnam
China
Japan
JapanChina
Japan
Japan
6.2 6.2 6.1
5
4.8 4.8
4.5 4.5 4.5
4.3
4.4 4.3
3.8
3.8
4
2.6
3.3
3.83.8
3.6
3.73.7
3.5 3.4
2008 2009 2010
Unit: Score Rank (2010)
Source: The Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, World Economic Forum

32
The rate of teaching staff with Master degree and PhD degree has both escalated for the
last 2 years. As the scale of the teaching staff has risen from 69,151 teachers in 2010 to
73,296 in 2011, the proportion of those with Master degree and PhD degree also
reached 41% and 11% respectively. Meanwhile, the rate of those with University
degree showed a downward trend, from 52% in 2009 to just 48% in 2011.
Source: Statistics on Education from 1999 to 2011, MOET
Note: In Vietnam, a school year lasts 9 months and students have a yearly summer holiday. A school
year commences in September and comes to an end in May of the following year. Therefore, a school
year is denoted by 2 continuous years.
52 51 48
38 39 41
10 10 11
2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
100%=60,347 people 69,151 73,296
Degrees of the teaching staff at universities 2008-2011
PhD Degree
Master Degree
University Degree

33
Investment in education proves to be a good sign of showing the nation’s awareness of
the importance of education. In 2008, Vietnam spent a large sum of money on
education, accounting for about 5.3% of GDP. The others in Asia spent a lower
proportion of GDP on the essential sector, for example, China with 2.8%, Singapore
with 3.2% or Thailand with 4.9%. However, the different scale of these nations’ GDP
considerably alternated the real sum of money spent on education in different countries.
With GDP of 90.3 billion USD in 2008, Vietnam turned out to spend about 4.79 billion
USD on education, only above Philippines in the table with 4.51 billion USD. By
contrast, China appeared to spend about 126.6 billion USD, just following the US with
roundly 786.3 billion USD.
Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the development of the human
resources in IT industry. The quality of labor has been regarded as deciding the future
of Vietnam’ IT industry. However, despite the government’s high determination, this
factor needs more and more attention. The changes of the targets in the IT labor
development show the instability of the government’s guidelines. Besides, the solutions
given in the directives or regulations seem to be in the form of the formal instructions.
The solutions need to be more detailed and effective. But making a detailed plan of
human resources development is of much importance to the whole IT industry from
now on.
In conclusion, Vietnam government takes the issue of developing its IT industry
seriously. This is indicated by the range of policies and law documents supporting the
Proportion of education
expenditure to GDP 2008
GDP 2008 Education expenditure
2008
Unit: Billion USDUnit: Billion USD
Source: The World Bank
2.6
3.5
2.8
3.2
3.2
4.5
4.9
5.3
5.5
Philippines
Indonesia
China
Singapore
India
Malaysia
Thailand
Vietnam
US
Unit: %
Source: A calculation of
B&Company Vietnam Co., Ltd.
173.6
510.2
4522
189.3
1214
221.8
272.6
90.3
14296
4.51
17.86
126.62
6.06
38.85
9.98
13.36
4.79
786.28
Source: Global Education
Digest 2010, UNESCO

34
new born industry. Short-term and long-term strategies of IT industry development also
showed Vietnam’s ambition and targets. However, the feasibility of these policies is
still under the question. The optimistic view of Vietnam’s information industry is quite
reasonable but the goals of the policies are really difficult to meet with Vietnam’s
current IT conditions while the steps of attaining the goals are still not clear,
impractical and general.

35
LIST OF REFERENCES
1. A.T.Kearney, Inc: The 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 A.T.Kearney Global Services
Location Index.
2. General Statistics Office of Vietnam: Statistic database.
3. Ho Chi Minh city Computer Association: Vietnam ICT Out Look 2011; ICT ranking
2011.
4. Ministry of Education and Training: Statistics on Education from 1999 to 2011.
5. Ministry of Information and Communications: Report on the Application of
Information Technology 2010.
6. Ministry of Information and Communications, Department of Information
Technology: Vietnam IT outsourcing 2007.
7. Ministry of Information and Communications: White Book on Vietnam ICT 2009,
2010, 2011.
8. Ministry of Planning and Investment: Foreign Investment Agency: Report on
Foreign Direct Investment 2009, 2011.
9. PayScale: SourcingLine, February 2010.
10. The World Bank: World Bank national accounts data.
11. UNESCO: Global Education Digest 2010, Comparing Education Statistics Around
the World.
12. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs: E-Government survey
2010.
13. Vietnam Customs: Customs statistic, Vietnam International Merchandise Trade
Statistics (IMTS) 2009, 2010, 2011.
14. Vietnam Software and IT services Association: Statistic database.
15. World Economic Forum: The Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009, 2009-
2010, 2010-2011, Professor Xavier Sala-i-Martin, Columbia University.

36

37
CHAPTER 2 – IT TRAINING ACTIVITIES IN SOME MAJOR UNIVERSITIES
2.1. University profile
The survey was targeted at major universities which offer IT training programs in
Vietnam. Most of universities in Vietnam are located in Hanoi city and Ho Chi Minh
city – the two biggest cities of the country. Therefore, the survey was conducted in ten
large universities in the two cities which are well-known for IT training. The
representative of universities or IT related faculties were interviewed.
University profile
No. University name Establish
ed year
IT related
faculties
Majors
1 University of
Transport and
Communications
(UTC)
1962 - Information
Technology
- Mechanics
- Transport - Business
- Information Technology
- Others
2 Military
Technical
Academy
(MTA)
1981 - Information
Technology
- Mechanical technology
- Electricity - Electronics
- Construction
- Others
3 Hanoi University
of Industry
(HAUI)
2005 - Information
Technology
- International
Cooperation
& Training
- Mechanical Engineering
- Automobile Technology
- Economics
- Others
4 Hanoi University
of Business and
Technology
(HUBT)
1996 - Information
Technology
- Business Administration
- Finance – Banking
- Others
5 FPT University
(FU)
2006 - Finance & Banking
- Business Administration
- Software Engineering
6 Vietnam National
University, HCM
city - HCM city
University of
Technology
(HCMUT)
1974 - Computer
Science and
Engineering
(CSE)
- Electrical-electronics
Engineering
- Others
Public Private

38
No. University name Establish
ed year
IT related
faculties
Majors
7 Ho Chi Minh
City University
of Industry
(HUI)
2004 - Information
Technology
- Computer
Science and
Engineering
(CSE)
- International
studies
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Science and
Engineering
- Others
8 Vietnam National
University, HCM
city – University
of Information
Technology
(UIT)
2006 - Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Computer Network and
Communications
- Information System
9 Ho Chi Minh
City of Foreign
Languages –
Information
Technology
(HUFLIT)
1994 - Information
Technology
- Foreign language
- International Business
Management
- Others
10 Ho Chi Minh
City University
of Technology
(HUTECH)
1995 - Information
Technology
- Business Management
- Electrical – electronics
Engineering
- Others

39
2.2. IT education and training
2.2.1. Students and teachers
Nowadays, IT is being taught in a variety of universities in Vietnam. Some of them
have IT as the only/main program offered, such as FU, UIT. In general, IT students in
each university participated in the survey vary from 630 to 3,000 people while the
number of IT teachers is from 30 to 250.
University
name
Total
students*
Total IT
students*
Total IT
teachers**
HUBT 26,500 630 60
HUI 20,000 1,000 109
UTC 16,000 800 30
HAUI 15,000 2,312 68
HCMUT 13,500 1,400 50
MTA 10,000 1,100 100
HUTECH 10,000 1,000 78
HUFLIT 9,000 1,200 75
FU 3,200 3,000 250
UIT 3,000 3,000 190
The graph below illustrates the proportion of IT students among all students, and the
ratio of IT students per IT teacher in the surveyed universities. As can be seen, the
percentages of IT students compared to total students of UIT and FU were completely
high, 100% and 94% respectively. This also means that almost no subjects are taught
except for IT. In the mean time, that of other universities was 15% or even lower.
However, in terms of the ratio between IT students and IT lecturers, the leading
university is HUI with 9 students per teacher, followed by MTA and HUBT with 11
students/teacher, and FU with 12 students/teacher. In general, most of the surveyed
universities have a good ratio of IT students to IT teacher.
2
5
5
10
10
11
13
15
94
100
HUBT
HUI
UCT
HUTECH
HCMUT
MTA
HUFLIT
HAUI
FU
UIT
11
9
27
13
28
11
16
34
12
16
Unit: %
Proportion of IT students Ratio of IT students to IT lecturer
Unit: Students per IT lecturer
Note: * Approximately given figures
** Including permanent lecturers and visiting teachers.

40
2.2.2. Education standards
It is obligatory for universities to get their IT training courses meet regulations and
requirements of MOET on subjects, duration, etc. The compulsory subjects are
regulated by MOET. Besides, the universities can apply some foreign education
standards into their courses. While HCMUT, UTC, HUBT and FU follow ACM
(Association for Computing Machinery) standard, MTA and UIT apply AUN (ASEAN
University Network - Quality Assurance).
2.2.3. IT majors
Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information System and Computer Network
& Communications are the most popular IT majors among the universities.
IT majors
UTC
MTA***
HAUI
HUBT
FU
HCMUT
HUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Computer Science 〇〇〇〇〇〇
Computer
Engineering
〇〇〇*
Software
Engineering
〇〇〇〇〇〇〇〇〇
Information System 〇〇〇〇〇〇
Computer Network
& Communications
〇〇〇〇
**
〇
**
Applied Informatics 〇
*Computer Engineering and embed system
**Computer network
***No further details were provided by the representative.
〇Available majors
Note: The universities have different allocation of the majors into divisions faculty or
course. But in general, their majors can be divided as above.
Education program comparison:
A- Fundamental subjects
There are a considerable number of fundamental subjects in all IT undergraduate
programs. In many universities, the fundamental subjects may take 2 years to finish.
The subjects are devoted to some social and scientific knowledge which is expected to
set a basis for further knowledge acquisition in IT. Some of the subjects are compulsory
as regulated by MOET, such as The principles of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh
ideology, Revolution guideline of Vietnam Communist Party, Introduction to psychology.

41
Interestingly, Soft skills such as Communication skills and teamwork skills which are
rarely available at Vietnamese universities, are being taught in FU and UIT. At FU,
Professional ethics is also on the curriculum.
No. Subjects
UTC
HAUI
HUBT
FU
HCMUT
HUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
I Social Sciences
1
The principles of Marxism-
Leninism
5 --- 6 5 5 5 5 7 5
2 Ho Chi Minh ideology 2 --- 3 2 2 2 2 3 2
3
Revolution guideline of Vietnam
communist party
3 --- 3 3 3 3 3 5 3
4 Introduction to laws --- 2 2 2
5 Introduction to psychology --- 2
6 National defense study 6 --- 3 〇〇 4 〇 5 11
7 Physical education 5 --- 6 6 〇 4 〇 5 5
8 Foreign language (English) 9 --- 72 20 8 13 12 35 15
9 Foreign language (Japanese) --- 20
10 Corporate governance --- 4 2 2
11 Humans and the environment --- 2
12 Introduction to sociology --- 2
13 Management --- 2
14 Vietnamese culture --- 2
15 History of civilizations --- 2
II Natural Sciences
16 Physics 3 --- 9 6 6 4 6
17 Chemistry --- 4 5 2
18 Probability and statistics 2 --- 3 2 2 3 4 3
19 Computing methods --- 2 2 4 2
20 Calculus 6 --- 8
21 Linear algebra 3 --- 3
22 Introduction to graph theory --- 3 4 3

42
No. Subjects
UTC
HAUI
HUBT
FU
HCMUT
HUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
23
Fundamentals of information
technology
3 --- 4 4 4
24 Linear programming --- 2 2
25
Complex variables and Laplace
transform
--- 2
26 Experimental fluid mechanics --- 3
27 Applied mechanics --- 3
28 C Programming --- 3
III Soft skills ---
29 Communication skills --- 1 2 4
30 Teamwork skills --- 1
31
Communications and teamwork
skills
--- 4*
IV Others
32 Logic 2 --- 2
33 Professional ethics --- 3
Optional
--- No information provided
*This subject is a part of curriculum in the majors of Software Engineer and Information System.
B- Specialized subjects
After finishing the fundamental subjects, students will be taught with other specialized
subjects in accord with their major. As listed above, the five most popular majors are
Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Information System
and Computer Network and Communications.
B-1. Computer Science
There are a wide range of subjects available for students in the five universities
providing the major of Computer Science. Notably, at UIT, the number of subjects
optional for students is the largest in the table. The important subjects for computer
science also appear at most of the universities. For instance, Data structures and

43
algorithms, Basic computer network and Artificial intelligence are available at all the
universities with 3 or 4 credits.
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
HCMUT
HUI
UIT
Number of credit
1 Information system security 3 〇 3 4
2 System maintenance 2
3 Web technologies and applications 4
4 Artificial intelligence engineering 4
5 Data structures and algorithms 3 〇 4 4 8
6 Compiler 3 4
7 Computer science monograph 3
8 Database 3 〇 4 3
9 Distributed and object orientated databases 3
10 Software development tools and environment 〇
11 NET technology 4
12 Java technology 3
13 J2EE technology 4
14 Oracle technology 3
15 Software engineering 〇 4 3 3
16 Knowledge technology and applications 4
17 Multimedia communications technology 4
18 XML technology 〇
19 Formal specifications 3
20 Software specifications 3
21 Computer algebra 3
22 System performance evaluation 3
23 Computer graphics 3 〇 3 4
24 Non-photo graphics 4
25 Fuzzy logics: Theory and applications 4
26 Advanced algorithms 3
27 Human-computer interface 〇 4
28 Experts systems 〇

44
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
HCMUT
HUI
UIT
Number of credit
29 Database systems 4
30 Knowledge-based system 3 4 4
31 Operating systems 3 〇 4 4 3
32 Linux operating system 2 4
33 Database management system (SQL Server) 3 〇 3 4 4
34 Fuzzy inference systems 4
35 Real-time systems 3
36 Distributed systems 3
37 Intelligence systems 3
38 Multimedia information system 4
39 Data mining 3 4
40 Model checking 3
41 Software quality assurance 3
42 Computer architecture 3 〇 3 3 3
43 Software architecture 3
44 Programming technique 〇 4
45 Database programming 4
46 Object orientated programming 3 〇 4 3 4
47 Advanced Java programming 4
48 Advanced programming 2
49 Parallel programming 3
50 Artificial intelligence programming 4
51 Visual programming 3
52 Web programming 3
53 Windows programming 〇
54 Fuzzy logics 3
55 Theory of automata and formal languages 3 3
56 Theory of automata and applications 4
57 Probability and statistics 3
58 Information encryption 4
59 Basic computer network 3 〇 4 3 4

45
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
HCMUT
HUI
UIT
Number of credit
60 Advanced computer network 4
61 Neural network and genetic algorithm 4
62 Cryptography and network security 3
63 Machine learning 3 3 4
64 Advanced machine learning 4
65 Simulations and applications 3
66 Video and audio data compression 4
67 C# programming language 4 4
68 Java programming language 4
69 Principles of programming languages 3 4 4
70 Recognition 4
71 Introduction to computing 4
72 Introduction to theory of recognition 〇
73 Ontology and knowledge representation 4
74 Object orientated systems analysis and design 〇 3
75 Information system analysis and design 4
76 UML object orientated analysis and design 4
77 Algorithm analysis and design 3 3 4 3
78 System analysis and design 3 〇 3
79 Information technology project management 〇
80 Software project management 3
81 Database design 2
82 Digital logic design 3
83 Design of experiments 3
84 Microprocessor based design 3
85 Design and verification of ASIC 3
86 Computer aids for VLSI design 3
87 Information on Entropy 2
88 E-commerce 3 4
89 Computer organization and assembly language 3
90 Advanced mathematics 9 9

46
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
HCMUT
HUI
UIT
Number of credit
91 Discrete mathematics 3 〇 6 6 3
92 Combinatorial optimization 3
93 Logic synthesis 3
94 Artificial intelligence 3 〇 4 4 4
95 Advanced artificial intelligence 4
96 Uncertainty in artificial intelligence 3
97 Information extraction 4
98 Geographic visual 4
99 Computer visual 4
100 Embedded system 3
101 Semantic web 4
102 Compiler construction 3
103 Object-orientated software constructions 4
104 Image processing 3 〇
105 Image processing and recognition 4
106 Image processing and computer vision 3
107 Natural language processing 3 4 4
108 Advanced natural language processing 3
109 Parallel processing and distributed systems 3
110 Digital signal processing 3 4
Optional
〇 No information provided on the number of credit

47
B-2. Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering is the major available at 3 universities including HCMUT, UIT
and HUTECH. In this major, the common subjects of the 3 universities are Data
structures and algorithms, Operating systems, Computer architecture, Computer network
and Discrete mathematics. HCMUT leads the table in terms of the number of optional
subjects available for students. This university seems to put the role of computer
network at the top with 8 credits.
No. SUBJECTS
HCMUT
UIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
1 Network security 3
2 Information system security 3 3
3 Electronic circuits and devices 3
4 Data structures and algorithms 4 4 4
5 Database 4 4
6 Distributed and object orientated databases 3
8 Computer algebra 3
9 System performance evaluation 3
10 Automatic control 3
11 Advanced automatic control 3
12 Electronic components and tools 2
13 Advanced algorithms 3
14 Operating systems 4 3 3
15 Advanced operating systems 4
16 Database management systems 3 3
18 Embedded systems 4 3
19 Intelligence systems 3
20 Data mining 3
21 Software quality assurance 3
22 Computer architecture 3 3 3
23 Advanced computer architecture 4
24 Software architecture 3
25 Programming technique 4 4
26 Data transmission 4 4 3
27 Embedded system programming 3

48
No. SUBJECTS
HCMUT
UIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
28 System programming in Java 4
29 Object orientated programming 4 3
30 Basic embedded programming 4
31 Windows programming 3
32 Mobile programming 4 3
33 Web programming 3
34 Fuzzy logics 3
35 Theory of automata and formal languages 3
36 Information theory 3
37 Circuits 3
38 Electronic circuits 3
39 Computer network 8 4 3
40 Cryptography and network security 3
41 Machine learning 3
42 Introduction to software engineering 4 3
43 Introduction to computing 4
44 System analysis and design 3
45 Information system analysis and design 3
47 Network administration 3
48 Digital system design 3
49 Logical design 1 3
50 Logical design 2 3
51 Printed circuit board design 3
52 Network design 4
53 Design of experiments 3
54 Microprocessor based design 3
55 Integrated circuit design 3 3
56 Design and verification of ASIC 3
57 Digital integrated circuit design with HDL 4
58 Computer aids for VLSI design 3
59 Integrated circuit design with VHDL 4
60 Computer hardware practice 3

49
No. SUBJECTS
HCMUT
UIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
61 E-commerce 3
62 Advanced mathematics 9 9
63 Discrete mathematics 6 3 2
64 Combinatorial optimization 3
65 Logic synthesis 3
66 Artificial intelligence 3
67 Uncertainty in artificial intelligence 3
68 Embedded system applications 3 3
69 Microcontroller 3
70 Microprocessor – Microcontroller 3 4
71 Compiler construction 3
72 Image processing and computer vision 3
73 Natural language processing 3
74 Parallel processing and distributed systems 3 3
Optional
B-3. Software Engineering
Software engineering, the most popular major which is available at 8 universities, has
the highest number of subjects involved, reaching 135. Data structures and algorithms,
Database, Software engineering, Operating systems, Object-orientated programming,
Computer architecture, Computer network and Discrete mathematics seem to be
irreplaceable in this specialty with their appearance at almost all the universities.
Besides, HUBT seems to pay much attention to the subjects of Data structures and
algorithms, Relational database, Structure programming, Visual programming and
Computer network with the duration of 6 credits for each. Especially, FU highly
regards the importance of Business internship with its duration of 10 credits in the
education program.

50
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
HUBT
FU
HUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
1 Internet database security 4
2 ASP/ Java script/ PHP/ VB script 6
3 Information system security 3 〇 2 4 3
5 Advanced web design technologies 3
6 Internet services in e-commerce 4
7 Knowledge base systems 4
8 Programming methodology 5 3
9 Web design engineering 3
10 Data structures and algorithms 3 〇 6 3 4 4 8 4
11 Software quality and testing 3
12 Compiler application 3
13 Special subject on C# 4
14 Special subject on software engineering 3
15 Special subject on Delphi 4
16 Special subject on advanced graphics 4
17 Special subject on e-commerce 3 2 4
18 Special subject on e-government 2
19 Special subject on e-learning 2
20 Special subject on Java 4
21 Special subject on software development 2
22 Special subject on visual basic 4
23 Database 3 〇 4 4 4 4 4
24 Advanced database 3
25 Relational database 6
26 Object-oriented database 3
27 Programming fundamentals 3 9
28 Digital fundamentals 3
29
Software development tools and
environment
〇 4 3
30 NET technology 4 4

51
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
HUBT
FU
HUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
31 J2EE technology 4
32 Java technology 3 3
33 Oracle technology 3 4 3
34 Software engineering 3 〇 3 3 3 4 3
35 Advanced software engineering 〇 4
36 Portal technology 3
37 Virtual reality technology 〇
38 E-commerce 4 3
39 Web application technology 4
40 XML application technology 〇 4
42 Business internships 10
43 Computer graphics 3 〇 3 4
44 Pricing on the Internet 4
45 Human-computer interface 3 3 4
46 Experts systems 〇 4
47 Database systems 5
48 Operating systems 3 〇 4 3 4 3
49 Network and operating system 4
51 Unix operating system 2 3 4
53
Database management system
(SQL Server)
〇
54 Geographic information systems 3
55 Enterprise resource planning 3
56 Java and distribution process 〇
57 Data mining 3
58 Introduction to parallel algorithms 3
59 Software entrepreneurship 3
60 Software checking 3

52
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
HUBT
FU
HUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
61 Model checking 3
62 Computer architecture 3 〇 3 3 3 3
63
Computer architecture and assembly
language
4
64 Software architecture design 3
65 Program testing and debugging 4
67 Multimedia technique 4
68
New technologies in software
engineering
3
69 Basic programming 4
70 Structure programming 6
71 Basic C++
programming 3
72 Advanced C# programming 3
73 Games programming 4
74 Assembly languages programming 3
75 Network system programming 4
76 Basic Java programming 3 2 4
77 Advanced Java programming 2 4
78 Object orientated programming 3 〇 3 3 3 4 4 3
79 Logic programming 4
81 Network programming 3
82 Basic embedded programming 3 3
83 Management programming 4
84 Real-time parallel computing 4
85 Mobile programming 4 4 3
86 Artificial Intelligence for games 4
87 Visual programming 3 6
88 Web programming 3 〇 4 3
89 Windows programming 3 〇 4 3

53
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
HUBT
FU
HUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
90 Advanced windows programming 4
91 Fuzzy logics 3 4
92 E-commerce law 3
93 Computer network 3 〇 6 3 4 4 3
94 Java programming language 4 4
95 Principles of financial accounting 3
96 Introduction to computer sciences 3
97 Introduction to games development 3
98 Introduction to management science 3
99 Designing embedded hardware 3
100
Designing embedded communications
software
3
101 Systems analysis and design 3 〇 3 3
102
Object orientated systems analysis and
design
〇
103 Information system analysis and design 4 4 3
104 Object-orientated analysis and design 3 4 3
105 Algorithm analysis and design 3
106
Statistical analysis for business and
economics
4
107 Object-orientated software development 4
108
Open source-based software
development
3 〇 3
109 Component-based software development 〇
110 Web development 4
111 Advanced web development 4
112 Multimedia website development 4
113
Software development, operation and
maintenance
3
114 Model methodology 3
115 Supply chain management 4
116
Information technology project
management
〇 3 4
117 Software project management 3 4 4 3

54
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
HUBT
FU
HUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
118 Network management 3 4
119 Advanced mathematics 6 9 9 13 9
120 Discrete mathematics 3 〇 6 6 6 3 3 2
121 3D game engine design 4
123 Game design 4
125 Artificial intelligence 3 〇 3 4 3
126
Internet services organization and
management
4
127 IT applications in enterprises 3
128 Software requirements 3
129 Software construction 3
130 Information system construction 3
131
Advanced e-commerce website
construction
4
132 Advanced XML 3
133 Distribution processing 3
134 Parallel processing 4
Optional
B-4. Information System
Database, Data structure and algorithms, Information system security, Software
engineering, Operating systems, Object-orientated programming and Discrete
mathematics are the most widely taught at 5 universities offering Information System
major. At HUFLIT, the number of optional subjects hits the top of the table.

55
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
2 Information system security 3 〇 3 4 3
6 Database management systems 4
7 Data structures and algorithms 3 〇 4 8 4
8 Advanced data structure and algorithms 4
12 Special subject on information system 3
15 Database 3 〇 4 4 4
16 Advanced database 3 4 3
17 Distributed database 4 4 3
18 Programming fundamentals 9
20 Oracle technology 3 4
21 Software engineering 3 〇 3 4 3
22 Portal technology 4
23 XML technology 〇 4
24 Introduction to global positioning systems 4
25 Digital electronics 3
26 Computer graphics 3 〇 4
28 Numerical analysis 2
29 Human-computer interface 〇
30 Grid computing 4
31 Experts systems 〇 4
32 Knowledge-based system 3 4
33 Operating systems 3 〇 3 4 3

56
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
35 Unix operating system 2 4
37 Database management system (SQL Server) 〇 4
38 Multimedia database management systems 4
39 Oracle database management systems 4
41 Geographic information systems 3 4
42 Accounting information systems 4 3
43 Decision support system 〇
44 Data mining 3
45 Data exploitation 4
46 Data warehouse and mining methods 〇
47 Data warehouse and OLAP 4
48 Computer architecture 3 〇 3 3
49 Computer architecture and assembly language 4
52 Multimedia engineering 4
54 Database programming 4
56 Object orientated programming 3 〇 4 4 3
62 SQL client programming 〇
64 Programming on website 4
66 Client/Server database applications programming 〇
67 Web programming with Java 4

57
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
HAUI
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
68 Web programming 3 4 3
69 Fuzzy logics 3 4
70 E-commerce law 3
71 Computer network 3 〇 4 3
72 Introduction to management 3
73 Open-source software 3
74 Spatial analysis 4
75 System analysis and design 3 〇
76 Information system analysis and design 4 4 3
77 Object-orientated analysis and design 〇
78 UML object orientated analysis and design 4
80 Statistical analysis for business and economics 4
81 Enterprise resource planning system development 〇
82 Web applications development 4
84 Information technology project management 〇 4
87 Information system management 3
88 Business and accounting management 4
89 Network management 3 4
90 Database design 2 〇 4
91 Web programming and design 4
92 Information on entropy 2
93 E-commerce 〇 3 4
94 Internet services organization and management 4
95 Advanced mathematics 9 13 9
96 Discrete mathematics 3 〇 3 3 2
97 Artificial intelligence 3 〇 4 3
98 Information extraction 4
99 Advanced e-commerce website construction 4
100 Image processing 〇
101 Image processing for remote sensing 4
102 Parallel processing 4
103 Digital signal processing 3
Optional

58
B-5. Computer network and communication
Data structure and algorithms, Database, Operating system, Object-orientated
programming, Computer network and Discrete mathematics are most often caught at 4
universities.
HUFLIT goes on to be the university with the widest range of optional subjects in this
major. Programming fundamentals is uniquely offered at this university. The 9-credit
subject is considered to play an important role at the university.
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
1 Information security 3 4 3
3 Network security 4 3
4 Advanced network security 3
8 Data structures and algorithms 3 4 8 4
12 Special subject on e-commerce 4
14 Special subject on computer network 3
16 Database 3 4 4 4
17 Programming fundamentals 9
19 Communication network technology 4
20 Oracle technology 3 4
21 IP technology 3
22 Network performance evaluation 3
23 Electronics for information technology 3
24 Digital electronics 3
25 Computer graphics 3 4

59
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
27 Fuzzy calculus 3
28 Numerical calculus 2
29 Experts systems 4
30 Operating systems 3 3 4 3
31 Linux operating system 4 4 3
32 Network operating systems 4
33 Unix operating system 2 4
37 Geographic information systems 3
38 Mobile distributed calculation system 3
39 Computer architecture 3 3 3
40 Computer architecture and assembly language 4
42 Programming technique 4 4
43 Linux programming technique 3
44 Multimedia technique 4
45 Digital television technique 3
47 System programming 4
49 Object orientated programming 3 4 4 3
52 Basic network programming 4
53 Computer network programming 3
54 Network programming with Perl 3
59 Mobile programming 3

60
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
61 Applied network programming 3
62 Web programming 3 4 3
63 Fuzzy logics 4
64 E-commerce law 4
65 Information theory 3
66 Computer network 3 4 4 3
67 Advanced computer network 3 4
68 Mobile communications network 3 3
69 Introduction to software engineering 4 3
70 Introduction to management science 4
71 Open-source software 3
72 Systems analysis and design 3 3
73 Information system analysis and design 4 3
75 Statistical analysis for business and economics 4
78 Network system management 3
79 Information system management 3
80 Network management 3 4 3
81 Network multimedia devices 4
83 Network design 4
85 Network practices 3
86 Signals and circuits 3
87 Grid computing 3
88 Internet services organization and management 4
89 Advanced mathematics 9 13 9
90 Discrete mathematics 3 3 3 2
91 Artificial intelligence 3 4 3
92 Data transmission 4 3
93 Multimedia communication 3

61
No. SUBJECTS
UTC
UIT
HUFLIT
HUTECH
Number of credit
94 Optical communication 3
95 Satellite communication 3
96
Information security policies standards
development in enterprises
3
97 Web applications construction 3
98 Advanced e-commerce website construction 4
99 Image processing 4
100 Digital signal processing 3 4 4
Optional
2.3. Infrastructure
It is revealed from the number of IT students per computer that many students have to
share computer facilities. It is a difficulty that most of the surveyed universities have in
common. What they try to do is to allocate effectively the computers to IT training
classes and even for others from non-IT majors. However, it does not seem to be a
annoying problem as only 2 universities said that they lack of computers for IT
training. That is understandable as many IT students can afford their own laptop
computers.
Universities infrastructure of teaching IT
University name Practice
rooms
Computers
(for IT training purposes)
Most of the
computers are used
since?
UTC 1 65 2011
MTA 5 200 Unknown
HAUI 15 700
IT faculty 9 350 Unknown
International
Cooperation and
Training faculty
6 350 2009
HUBT 37 1290
(shared with other
faculties)
Unknown

62
FU 1 3000 student-owned
laptops
(FU supports 400$ for
each student to buy the
laptops)
Unknown
HCMUT 10 440 Unknown
HUI 35 1220
Computer Science
and Engineering
faculty
30 1000
(shared with other
faculties)
2008
IT faculty 3 100 2008
International studies
faculty
2 120
(Not including shared
computers of the
university)
2009
UIT 10 420 2009
HUTECH 16 1500
(shared with other
faculties)
HUFLIT 10 300 2007
Number of IT students per computer*
* In some universities having computers shared among all faculties, the above number is the number of
students per computer, not only IT student.
1
3
4
6
7
7
12
16
21
31
FU
HAUI
HUFLIT
MTA
HUTECH
UIT
UTC
HUI
HUBT
HCMUT
Unit: students per computer

63
Most of computers at universities are already to be connected to the Internet. In some of
universities, the Internet is available on computers all day, but in some others, the
Internet is limited and only connected when necessary. This policy is to ensure that
their students are not attracted by entertainment facilities on the Internet instead of
studying.
Wireless network is also widely available in the surveyed universities. All universities
have their wireless network in their campus, or at least within areas of IT faculties and
students can easily access to the Internet.
2.4. Cooperation and research
Although the interviewees did not share much on their university’s researching
activities exept their hardships of lacking capital and human resources. Whereas,
cooperation is considered as an important role in the universities. 5 (MTA, HUTECH,
HUBT, UTC, HUFLIT) of 10 universities have not any official cooperation with any
overseas universities or organizations yet, although their teachers may have shared
experience and knowledge to their counterparts in other countries.
Cooperation with Japanese Universities/ organizations:
(1) FU
The university is in cooperation with Japan Overseas Development Corporation –
JODC. Two programs have been promoted in accordance with the cooperation.
The first one is that experts from JODC are sent to FU on a yearly basis. They will
spend roundly 100 hours teaching a subject to one class sized about 30 students.
Students at FU can go to Japan for a couple of weeks on the Tet holiday (Vietnamese
lunar New Year celebration) for knowledge and cultural exchange. About 15 students
are selected to join this program yearly.
Moreover, the university also has student exchange programs with Shinshu University
and Kyushu Institute of Technology. Every year, there are about 4-8 students eligible to
the programs.

64
(2) UIT
The university has been in cooperation with a number of organizations including Tokyo
Institute of Technology, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST)
and Center of the International Cooperation for Computerization (CICC). The content
of the cooperation is teacher and student exchanges.
Cooperation with non-Japanese Universities/ organizations:
(1) HAUI
Meanwhile, HAUI is in cooperation with TAFE South Australia to use its curriculum in
Diploma program. Accordingly, students learn only English during their first year and
learn IT in English for the next 2 years.
(2) FU
FU is running an exchange program for students with Furtwangen University in
Germany.
(3) HCMUT
Since 2003, HCMUT has been cooperating with National University of Singapore
(NUS) to send students to write the graduation thesis in NUS. The students will be
instructed by teachers of NUS during 6 months. Full scholarships are provided by NUS.
The theses are evaluated by NUS, while the thesis defense is held in Vietnam. Some
teachers of NUS visit Vietnam sometimes and join the thesis defense presentation.
There are about 3-5 students sent to NUS for this program every year.
A similar program is that with Ecole Federale Polytechnique de Lausanne –
Switzerland. Starting from 2010, HCMUT sent 2 students to EFPL to making thesis
during 4 months with full scholarships provided by EFPL.
Moreover, there is other affiliate programs such as that the 2.5+2 or 2.5+1 program
with University of QueensLand (Australia) which offer a course of 2 years at HCMUT
and 2 or 1 year at Queensland; or the 2+2 one with La Trobe University and Catholic
University of America.

65
(4) HUI
The university uses the curriculum of TAFE South Australia for 3 year courses. Similar
to HAUI, students will spend the whole first year for learning English, then 2 more
years studying IT by English.
(5) UIT
UIT has been cooperating with Oklahoma State University (United States), University
of Arkansas (United States), Wroclaw University of Technology (Poland) to provide a
2 + 2 program (2 years in UIT and 2 other years in overseas universities).
2.5. About ITSS and HEDSPI
2.5.1. About ITSS and FE
All of the surveyed universities have no intention of applying ITSS to their education.
HAUI cooperated with VITEC (Vietnam Training and Examination Center –
established by Minister of Science and Technology) in 2008 to teach FE to 1 class
(with about 40-50 students) and the course lasted 6 months. However, it proved not to
be effective and successful. Only 25 students still learned until the end of the course.
In fact, none the ten universities have encouraged or suggested their students to sit for
FE. Some universities like FU, HAUI or UTC just mentioned about the test.
Reasons for not applying ITSS
First, 4 of 13 representatives (MTA, HUBT, HUI – IT faculty, HUTECH) shared their
opinion that they have not ever heard about the ITSS. In fact, ITSS is not really well
known and publicly recognized in Vietnam. Therefore, according to the representatives
from HAUI, FU, HCMUT, HUI – CSE faculty, HUFLIT, ITSS is only demanded by a
limited number of companies.
Particularly, HCMUT and HUI – International studies faculty showed more preference
for the standards of European and American organizations than those of Asian ones.
According to the opinion of HCMUT’s representative, ITSS focuses on what to be
taught, but ACM mentions what students can achieve after studying, and which skills to
be gained from the course.

66
Meanwhile, the representative of HUI – International studies faculty reckoned that the
standards from Australia and America offer better courses on project management and
quality management.
Besides, 2 representatives (HCMUT, HUI – International studies faculty) indicated that
Japanese is difficult to learn while most of the students have learnt English at high
school. This turns out to be another hindrance to deploying Japanese standard.
UTC representative, the dean of IT faculty, said that ITSS is a good standard. He highly
evaluated the operational modeling of ITSS. In fact, UTC has been deeply longing for
an international standard for a better educational program. However, up to now, IT has
not been the focus of the university. Thus, the number of teaching staff is small and, as
a matter of fact, teachers are not very encouraged with their low salary. The
organization and management of the faculty is not good, either. Besides, facilities
condition for information technology teaching has not been much invested.
The dean also emphasized that his university would be quite able to deploy the
application of the standard. However, in his opinion, the implementation will only
begin in such a long time as there are a lot of things to do with the preparation. The IT
faculty needs to improve the organization and management ability. Moreover, the
facilities for the faculty of information technology also need to be modernized and
equipped with new machines. The introductory documents and supporting methods are
also necessary for the faculty of information technology at UTC.
2.5.2. About HEDSPI
Most of universities representatives have not heard about HEDSPI, for example, those
from MTA, HAUI - Faculty of International Cooperation and Training, HUBT, HUI,
UIT, HUFLIT, HUTECH.
 UTC: “That’s good! We are for this and want to gain more knowledge!”
 HAUI – IT faculty: “I think it is good for students and the relationship between
2 countries, but besides Japanese, English is also important.”
 FU: “HEDSPI is an educational program of JICA, in HUST, training students to
become IT engineers who can speak Japanese. I have got no comment since I
have just heard of it and do not know much about this program.”
 HCMUT: “HEDSPI is an education program applying ITSS, I do not know
about its curriculums.”

67
CHAPTER 3 - JAPANESE LANGUAGE USED IN IT COMPANIES
The survey was conducted on companies which have relation to Japan (having Japanese
investment or Japanese clients). There are 52 companies and 108 of their IT employees
who know Japanese participating in this survey.
3.1. Companies
The 52 surveyed companies are located in Hanoi (29 companies) and Ho Chi Minh
City (23 companies).
List of interviewed companies
No. Company name
Japanese
understanding
IT employees
Interviewees
(people) (people)
1 ACT Brain Vietnam Co., Ltd. 13 2
2 Advanced Intelligence &Technology JSC 9 1
3 AKB Software Vietnam 2 2
4 Applistar Vietnam 5 1
5 Bridge System 1 1
6 Cuvel Software Co., Ltd. 5 2
7 Cybozu Vietnam Inc. 5 2
8 Dank Hearts Vietnam JSC. 2 2
9 Data Design VietNam 3 2
10 Delivery Vietnam 5 2
11 Emar Vietnam Co., Ltd. 5 2
12 FPT Software 483 12
13 Fujitsu Vietnam 24 4
14 Global Cybersoft, Inc. 9 5
15 Global Data Service JSC 0 0
16 Global network technologies Vietnam Co., Ltd. 4 2
17 Grapecity Vietnam 2 1
18 HiWorld JSC 11 1
19 Ichi Corporation Japan 4 2
20 IM Link 4 2
21 Information intergration management solution JSC 1 0
22 ISB Vietnam Co., Ltd 5 2
23 IT HaNoi JSC 5 1
24 KDDI VietNam 0 0
25 Kobelco Viet Control System Co., Ltd. 17 2

68
No. Company name
Japanese
understanding
IT employees
Interviewees
26 Lifetime Technologies Vietnam-Japan 10 7
27 Luvina Software JSC 35 11
28 Material Automation Thailand (MAT) Vietnam 1 1
29 NCS Technology 7 0
30 Netmarks Vietnam 2 0
31 New System Vietnam Co., Ltd. 3 2
32 Nippon Cloud 7 0
33 NTT Communication 17 1
34 NTT Data Vietnam Co., Ltd. 7 1
35 Panasonic R&D Center Vietnam Co., Ltd. 12 3
36 Pasona Tech Vietnam 6 2
37 Photron Vietnam 26 2
38 Renesas Design No answer 1
39 Runsystem JSC 23 3
40 Seta-cinqVienam 26 3
41 SMS Viet Nam 6 2
42 Sprite Communication Co., Ltd. 0 0
43 Strawberry Jam Vietnam 56 5
44 Suntas International JSC 0 0
45 System Exe Inc 5 4
46 Tazmo Vietnam 1 0
47 Toshiba Software Development Vietnam Co., Ltd. 4 4
48 Tri-vision JSC 5 0
49 USOL Vietnam 45 1
50 V.N.E.X.T JSC 0 0
51 Vietnam Image Partner Systems 9 1
52 We Are Engineering Co., Ltd 16 1
Total 953 108

69
3.1.1. Business fields
Most of the surveyed companies are doing business on software manufacturing or out-
sourcing. While the number of software manufacturing companies holds a high rate at
75%, these rates of hardware manufacturing and digital content ones are relatively
small, only 4% for both of them.
Business fields of interviewed companies
12
4
4
13
29
40
44
48
60
75
Other
Hardware
manufacturing
Digital content
Network management
and security
Intergration service
IT consulting service
IT products vendor
Web design service
Out-sourcing
Software
manufacturing
0
4
4
21
34
48
45
41
66
76
26
4
4
4
22
30
43
57
52
74
Q1MA: Which business field(s)
do your company belong to?
100%=52 companies
Total Hanoi Ho Chi Minh
29 23
Unit: %

70
3.1.2. Employment size
Most of interviewed companies have small and medium employment size. There are a
few companies which have over 100 employees. Nearly 80% of the 52 companies have
no more than 50 employees. Companies with 26 to 50 employees are the most popular
which account for 35% among 52 companies, while those with 11-25 IT employees are
40%, far outnumbering other company groups.
Over half of 4,153 employees in the 52 interviewed companies are programmers. It is
followed by tester and project manager position with about 18% and 10% respectively.
The proportions of system engineer and designer are very low, 8% and 6%
respectively.
53
18
10
8
6 5
Programmer
Project manager
Designer
System engineer
Q3FA: How many IT
employees in each position?100 % = 4,153 people
15 21
23
41
35
15
15
15
12 8
Employees IT Employees
100%=52 companies
Employment size
Over 100
From 51 to 100
From 26 to 50
Other
The number of IT employees in each
position (Vietnamese only)
From 11 to 25
Up to 10
Q2FA: How many employees are
there in your company?
Unit: %
Unit: %
Tester

71
The number of programmers in each company is normally up to 20 employees, as can
be seen from the figure of over 70% of the surveyed companies.
3.1.3. Japanese language ability of IT employees
The Japanese understanding level which is equivalent to the level 2 of Japanese
proficiency, ranked the 1st
among the number of qualification holders, with nearly 30%
of the whole 953 Japanese understanding IT employees in the surveyed companies.
Meanwhile, only 10% of the IT employees were at N1 level.
71
15
14
29
23
22
16
10
Over 50
Q4MA: Which levels of Japanese
language of your IT employees are they?
(Vietnamese only)
N3
N4
N2
N1
N5
100% = 953 Japanese understanding IT employees
Up to 20
Unit: %
Employment size of programmer
100 % = 52 companies
From 21 to 50
Proportion of Japanese understanding IT employees by level

72
The number of Japanese understanding IT employees in the surveyed companies was
small, over half of them had not more than 5 people.
Most of the companies have IT employees who were at N2, N3, N4 level, while about
40% companies had IT employees with N1 level.
Employment size of Japanese understanding IT employees
3.2. IT employees
The results below are analyzed from survey on 108 IT employees of 52 companies.
3.2.1. Employee profile
88% of the IT employees joined this survey have learned IT in their universities. A
small proportion learned IT at IT Centers (5%) or Colleges (3%). In addition, 8% of the
IT employees learned IT through on-the-job-training programs of their companies.
IT education background
56
17
11
12
4
Total
61
42
34 36
31
46
54 54
4 6 8 2
2 4 2 6
2 2 2 2
N1 N2 N3 N4
8
3
5
88
In company
College
Center
University
100% = 108 people Unit: %
Q1FA: Where did
you learn about IT?
Don’t know exact number
Over 10
From 6 to 10
From 1 to 5
0
From 0 to 5
From 6 to 10
From 11 to 20
From 21 to 50
Over 50
100% = 52 companies 100% = 52 companies

73
Programmers occupied the largest proportion of 108 surveyed IT employees with 45%.
Project managers or higher positions accounted for a considerable percentage with
19%.
Job positions
The majority of IT employees have Japanese level of N3 or N2. There were 35% of
them with the Japanese level of N3 and 30% of them were at N2. Those at N1 level
were very few.
Unit: %
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
9
10
13
19
45
Team Leader
Engineer
Helpdesk Engineer
Test game for mobile and PC
Install automatic equipment for computer
Consulting and maintain network
Bridge software engineer
Software engineer
Designer
System engineer
Tester
Project manager or higher
Programmer
Q5MA: In which position
are you working?100% = 108 people Unit: %
35
30
19
11
5 N1
Japanese level of IT employees
100% = 108 people
Q3SA: What is your
Japanese level?
N2
N4
N5
N3

74
3.2.2. Japanese learning history
Japanese training center is considered as the most popular place for IT employees to
learn Japanese. Meanwhile, those who studied Japanese at universities/colleges as an
undergraduate program account for only 25% of the employees.
Japanese training center is the most popular choice for getting N3, N4 or N5 level.
However, for those who gained the level of N1 or N2, it is not only Japanese training
center, but also University or College contributed a great deal. This proves University
and College with better motivation and knowledge to train for higher level of Japanese.
18
1
2
6
25
44
67
Other
High school
Japanese tutor
Studying in Japan
University/college in Vietnam
Self-studying
Japanese training center
5
0
0
16
30
49
49
Other
High school
Japanese tutor
Studying in Japan
Self-studying
University/college
in Vietnam
Japanese training
center
21
3
3
3
55
18
82
27
0
3
0
48
6
70
N1 and N2
100% = 37 people
N3
38
N4 and N5
33
Q2MA: Where did you
learn Japanese?
working?
100 % = 108 people
Place to learn Japanese of IT employees-by Japanese level
Unit: %
Place to learn Japanese of IT employees
Q2MA: Where did you
learn Japanese?
working?
Unit: %
Japanese courses held by
the company

75
There are a variety of methods to learn Japanese, among which doing Japanese
exercises and communicating with Japanese people are the most common way of the IT
employees.
3.2.3. Japanese usage of IT employees
Japanese external usage is much less popular than internal usage. There are only 75 IT
employees or 69% of 108 surveyed IT employees using Japanese in transactions with
clients and external partners compared with 92% for internal usage.
1
26
27
33
34
41
44
67
68
Other
Reading Japanese manga
Listening Japanese news
Reading Japanese
books/news, magazines
Writing in Japanese
Practising Japanese with other learners
Watching Japanese dramas, animes
Communicating with Japanese people
Doing Japanese exercise
100% = 108 people
Q4MA: How did you
learn Japanese?
working?
Unit: %
Japanese learning ways of IT employees

76
A. Internal usage
There are 99 out of 108 interviewed IT employees use Japanese in internal.
The charts below show the proportion of circumstances in which Japanese is often used
internally. In general, listening and reading documents were the most common
situations in which Japanese is used with 72% and 70% of employees respectively.
Writing documents was not popular in compared with other activities, with only 47%.
The IT employees use Japanese almost every day for normal conversation, reading and
writing emails. Speaking, listening in work-related conversation and writing documents
are not frequently used internally. Only 20% of the employees speaking Japanese in
work-related conversation use this skill almost every day.
4
47
60
65
66
69
70
72
Other
Writing documents for internal use
Writing emails
Normal conversation
Speaking in work-related conversation
Reading emails
Reading documents
Listening in work-related conversation
24
35 43
20
44 41
26
42
39
50
42
33
49
40
34 26
7
38
23
10
34
Listening in
work-related
conversation
Reading
documents
Reading
emails
Speaking in
work-related
conversation
Normal
conversation
Writing
emails
Writing
documents
for internal
use
Almost every day
Several times
per week
Less frequently
100% = 72 people 70 69 66 65 60 47
Q6MA-A: In which circumstances in
your job do you often use Japanese?100% = 99 people
Unit: %
Internal Japanese usage – by frequency
Internal Japanese usage
your job do you often use Japanese?
Unit: %

77
N1, N2 could deal with complicated Japanese usage such as reading and writing mails,
while N3 remained at normal conversation. Employees with N4 or N5 level had very
limited Japanese usage in their companies.
B. External usage
Only 75 out of 108 employees using Japanese for external relationships but they use
Japanese in a variety of circumstances, ranging from normal conversation, mailing,
work-related discussions or even writing documents to clients.
3
24
24
26
41
41
44
53
Other
Speaking in work-
related conversation
Writing documents for
internal use
Listening in work-
Normal conversation
Reading documents
Writing emails
Reading emails
3
14
8
17
36
22
19
22
3
0
3
7
3
7
7
10
3
52
59
71
71
73
73
Other
Writing documents to clients
Speaking in work-related conversation with clients
Listening in work-related conversation with clients
Writing emails to clients
Normal conversation with clients
Reading emails from clients
100% = 75 people
100% = 34 people
N1 and N2 N3
36
N4 and N5
29
Unit: %
Almost every day Japanese internal usage - by Japanese level
External Japanese usage
Unit: % Q6MA-B: In which circumstances in

78
At a glance, almost all skills are only used several times per week or even less
frequently. Among 44 employees who speak Japanese in work-related discussions with
clients, over 60% use the language infrequently. 55% of those listening to Japanese in
work-related conversations with clients are infrequent users. Meanwhile, the frequency
of writing e-mails to clients is relatively high. 53% of 53 IT employees using Japanese
for writing e-mails to clients have to do this skill several times per week and 32% of
those have a daily habit. The frequency of using Japanese for reading emails from
clients is also considerable. The rates of “several times per week” and “almost everyday”
frequency for those using this skill are respectively 47% and 38 %.
38
22
32
11 7 10
47
27
53
34
30
49
15
51
15
55
63
41
Reading
emails from
clients
Normal
conversation
with clients
Writing
emails to
clients
Listening in
work-related
conversation
with clients
Speaking in
work-related
conversation
with clients
Writing
documents
for clients
100% = 55 people 55 53 53 44 39
Almost everyday
Several times
per week
Less frequently
External Japanese usage – by frequency
Q6MA-B: In which circumstances in
Unit: %

79
In the other aspect, Japanese is also most frequently used when reading emails from
clients with 28% of 32 IT employees at N1 and N2 level and 38% of 29 IT employees
at N3 level. Writing e-mails to clients also often requires Japanese with 22% of N1 and
N2, and 34% of N3.
Difficulty of using Japanese
A. Internal usage
IT employees feel most difficult when they have to discuss in Japanese at work.
Listening and speaking in work-related conversation are biggest challenges to the
Japanese learners, according to nearly half of interviewed IT employees. They are
followed by reading and writing documents.
Difficulty in Japanese internal usage
6
9
13
19
22
28
Speaking in work-related
conversation with clients
Listening in work-related
clients
Normal conversation
with clients
Reading emails from
clients
3
10
0
21
34
38
0
0
0
0
0
7
Q7MA-A: What kind of difficulties do
you face while using Japanese at work?
N1 and N2 N3 N4 and N5
100% = 32 people 29 14
Almost every day Japanese external usage - by Japanese level
Unit: % Q6MA-B: In which circumstances in
Unit: %
16
1
20
20
21
33
39
47
50
No difficulty
Other
Reading emails
Writing emails
Normal conversation
Writing documents for internal usage
Reading documents
Listening in work-related conversation
Speaking in work-related conversation
100% = 104 people

80
As it can be seen in the graph below, the higher Japanese level is, the less difficulty IT
employees have to face. 33% of the IT employees at N1 or N2 level had no difficulty
when using Japanese in work. Those at N4 or N5 level cannot use Japanese much in the
company so they face many difficulties, especially in speaking or listening in work-
related conversation and reading documents.
33
0
3
8
14
14
19
22
39
No difficulty
Other
Reading emails
Writing emails
Normal
conversation
Reading documents
Listening in work-
Writing documents
Speaking in work-
11
3
14
17
19
42
56
28
50
3
0
47
38
31
66
69
50
63
100% = 36 people
N1 and N2 N4 and N5N3
36 32
Difficulties in Japanese internal usage – by Japanese level
Q7MA-A: What kind of difficulties do
you face while using Japanese at work?
Unit: %

81
B. External usage
It’s difficult to communicate with clients in Japanese, not only listening skill but also
speaking skill. Even a normal conversation is an obstacle to IT employees. For that
externally used Japanese is quite different from internally used one, listening and
speaking skills are always a big difficulty when communicating with clients.
Another problem here is that many IT employees do not have chances to communicate
with clients.
28
2
13
17
28
31
32
39
No difficulty
Other
Writing documents for clients
Speaking in work-related conversation with clients
Listening in work-related conversation with clients
Normal conversation with clients
100 % = 99 people
Q7MA-B: What kind of difficulties do you face
while using Japanese at work in External?
Difficulties in Japanese external usage
Unit: %

82
Even normal conversation with clients is difficult to many IT employees. Work-related
speaking is also a challenge to 30% among 37 N1 and N2 employees and 38% of the 34
N3 people. In the meantime, 30% of IT employees capable of Japanese at N1 and N2
level feel at ease during using Japanese without any trouble. At N3 level, 24% feels no
difficulty.
30
3
5
11
16
22
30
35
No difficulty
Other
clients
Listening in work-related
Speaking in work-related
Normal conversation with
clients
24
0
12
15
32
50
38
38
N1 and N2 N3
100% = 37 people 34
Unit: %
Difficulties of Japanese external usage – by Japanese level
Q7MA-B: What kind of difficulties do you face
while using Japanese at work in External?

83
The main reasons for misunderstanding when communicating with Japanese people are
lack in Japanese capacity, different mindset and culture. Other reasons include the
unawareness of IT knowledge or business, social knowledge.
Employees at different Japanese levels have different explanations for their
misunderstandings during their communication with Japanese people. 88% of 33 IT
engineers at N4 and N5 blame the reason for their Japanese ability. Meanwhile, at N3,
differences in mindset and culture are considered to be the biggest reason, besides their
limited Japanese skills. At N1 and N2 level, besides the reasons of Japanese ability and
differences in mindset/culture, unawareness of IT knowledge (24%) and social
knowledge (27%) are also indicated as reasons for misunderstanding of 37 IT
employees respectively.
7
8
14
22
57
66
Because the
Japanese did not
know some other
business or social
knowledge
Because the
Japanese did not
know some IT
knowledge
Because I did not
know some other
business or social
knowledge
Because I did not
know some IT
knowledge
Because of
differences in
mindset/culture
Because my
Japanese was not
good enough
11
14
27
24
54
54
8
3
11
16
61
58
3
9
3
27
58
88
38 33
Main reasons for misunderstanding while communicating with
Japanese people
37
Q8MA: What are main reasons of misunderstanding,
if any, when you communicate with Japanese people?
Unit: %
100% = 108 people
Total

84
3.2.4. Japanese and English comparison
In most cases, English is considered to be more convenient than Japanese. In particular,
English is thought to be easier than Japanese when writing documents or emails,
communicating or reading documents. Since IT employees have big difficulties in
speaking and listening Japanese, they seem to be much more convenient in using English.
30 29 29 32 30 27 24
35 31 33 28 35
30 32
23
20 20 28 20
26 27
12
20 18 12 15 17 17
Writing
documents
Writing
emails
Reading
emails
Normal
conversation
Reading
documents
Listening in
conversation
Speaking in
conversation
Any case
Some case
Most of case
No case
100% = 104 people 102 101 99 99 95 95
Q9MA: Is there any circumstance at work that
English is more convenient than Japanese?
Unit: %
Proportion of cases at work that English is more convenient than Japanese

85
3.2.5. Katakana usage
Approximately 50% of the IT employees said they learned Katakana words through
working. The other ways to get to know Katakana is by self-studying and through
books, Internet or TV. A small proportion of them learned Katakana at university,
college or Japanese training center.
Learning from work is the most widely applied method of learning Katakana to IT
employees at all levels. 49% of 37 IT employees at N1 and N2, 50% of 38 at N3 and
45% of 33 at N4 and N5 chose this method. About 49% at N1 and N2 and 34% at N3
learned Katakana by self-studying via books, Internet or TV.
Katakana learning method of IT employees
21
2
22
27
35
48
I do not know
any IT Katakana
words
Other
Through Japanese
curriculum at
university/college
Through Japanese
curriculum at
Japanese training
center
Self-studying via
books, the
Internet, TV, etc.
Through working
8
3
35
24
49
49
18
0
16
29
34
50
39
3
15
27
21
45
37
N1 and N2 N3
38
N4 and N5
33100 % = 108 people
Q10MA: How did you get to know
Katakana words which are related to IT?
Unit: %
Total

86
Only a very small percentage (2%) uses IT related Katakana words at all times. 41%
uses Katakana words usually and 44% uses them sometimes.
2
41
44
12
1
Total
6 0 0
55
39
20
36
39
65
3
22 10
0 0 5
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
100 % = 84 people 100 % = 33 people 31 20
The frequency of using IT related Katakana words at work
Q 10-1SA: How often do you use IT related
Katakana words at work?Unit: %

87
Among difficulties when using IT specialized Katakana words, writing Katakana is the
biggest problem. The second problem is reading and understanding Katakana words.
The reason for those seems that the frequency of using Katakana is not often in
comparison with Hiragana. Especially, IT employees face much more difficulty with IT
specialized words.
In general, writing is the biggest challenge to most of IT employees; 50% of 34 N1 and
N2 level employees, 39% of 31 employees at N3 and 35% of 20 employees at N4 and
N5. Besides, reading and understanding of Katakana words are also considered to be a
remarkable hindrance to them.
Difficulty of using IT specialized Katakana words
26
4
12
20
35
42
No
difficulty
Other
Pronouncing
is difficult
Listenning
is difficult
Reading, un
derstanding
is difficult
Writing is
difficult
29
0
3
9
29
50
35
3
26
26
29
39
5
10
5
30
55
35
100 % = 85 people
34 31 20
Q 10-2MA: What kind of difficulties do you face
while using IT specialized Katakana words?
Unit: %
Total

88
Almost all employees prefer to use English to Katakana when mentioning IT related
words. 14% of answers show that English is not easier to understand or more
convenient than Katakana.
15％ of 82 IT employees think that Katakana is really important and cannot be replaced
by English. Nearly 60% of the surveyed employees appreciate the significance of
Katakana in some cases and 25% of those realize that Katakana is not really essential
and English can be an alternative for Katakana.
The essentiality of Katakana
100% = 82 people
100% = 85 people
Q10-3SA: Do you think that English is easier
to understand and more convenient than
Katakana while mentioning IT related words?
Q10-4SA: Do you think that Katakana
is really essential to your work?
Really essential, English cannot be
used as an alternative for Katakana
Essential in some cases
Not essential, English can be used
as an alternative for Katakana
Comparison between English and Katakana in IT words
Unit: %
Unit: %
No
Yes
86
14
15
60
25

89
3.2.6. Japanese development after joining Japanese companies
For most of IT employees, their Japanese skills have become better after working for a
Japanese company, especially listening skill.
Japanese development of IT employees after joining Japanese companies
84 79 81 75
9 14 15 19
7 7 4 6
Listening Speaking Reading Writing
Better
The same
Worse
100% = 107 people 107 107 106
Q11SA: Have your Japanese skills become better,
remained the same, or become worse since the
day you worked for a Japanese company?
Unit: %

90
Around 80% of IT employees think that their Japanese skills became better thanks to
talking with Japanese people while working or reading Japanese documents at work.
Over 60% said that the frequency of writing Japanese at work also contributed to the
improvement of their Japanese skills. Besides those, in their opinions, Japanese can be
improved through many activities such as communicating with Japanese people
through social network, reading Japanese materials, watching dramas or anime,
listening to Japanese news, participating in Japanese courses, etc.
Activities that improve Japanese skills
7
18
26
29
31
34
41
42
63
76
76
Going to Japan on vacation
Listening to Japanese news
Going to Japan for business
Writing in Japanese besides work
Watching Japanese dramas, animes
Taking a Japanese course(s)
Reading Japanese materials besides work
Talking with Japanese through social network
Writing Japanese at work
Reading Japanese documents at work
Talking with Japanese people through work
Q11-1MA: Why do you think your Japanese skills
became better since the day you worked for a
Japanese company?
100% = 97 people
Unit: %

91
There are a small number of IT employees who did not make any progress in their
Japanese skills. They considered that this is because they had few chances to talk with
Japanese people at work or read Japanese documents as well as write Japanese, or
because they gave up Japanese courses.
The reason why Japanese skills became worse
Choices
Number of
employees
I had little chance to talk with Japanese people through my work 6
I had little chance to write Japanese at work 4
I gave up Japanese courses 3
I had less chance to talk Japanese people
through my social network than I used to
3
I had little chance to read Japanese document at work 2
I did not listen to Japanese news as I used to 2
I did not watch Japanese dramas, anime as I used to 2
I did not read Japanese materials besides work
(manga, books, magazines, etc) as I used to 2
I did not write in Japanese (diary, email, letter, etc) as I used to 1
Other reason 1
Q11-2MA: Why do you think your Japanese
skills became worse since the day you worked
for a Japanese company?
N=8

92
3.2.7. Japanese usage besides work
Besides job, people often talk with Japanese such as friends, teachers or their own
relatives and acquaintances. Many people like listening to Japanese news or music or
watching Japanese movies and dramas. Not many people participated in Japanese
conferences or seminars.
The proportion of the IT employees at N1 and N2 level using Japanese besides work
greatly dominated other levels. For these levels Japanese is most frequently used when
communicating with Japanese. The rate is 78% of 36 employees at N1 and N2, 69% of
36 employees at N3 and just 34% of 32 employees at N4 and N5. 28% of those at N4
and N5 even do not use Japanese outside their work.
Japanese usage outside job
10
2
17
20
38
42
42
62
I do not use
Japanese
besides my job
Other
Participating
Japanese
conferences, etc
Listening to
Japanese news
Reading
books, newspap
er, stories
Listening to
Japanese music
Watching
Japanese
movies, dramas
Communicating
with Japanese
3
6
25
36
42
50
58
78
0
0
19
14
39
47
39
69
28
0
6
9
34
28
28
34
36 36 32
Q12MA: Besides your job, in which
situation do you often use Japanese?
100% = 104 people
N1 and N2 N3 N4 and N5Total
Unit: %

93
3.2.8. Comparison of the being taught and using Japanese
Being asked about the differences between Japanese taught at school and Japanese
needed at work, almost all IT employees said that there is a severe gap between what
they were taught and what they use. This means that the Japanese taught at school does
not seem to be suitable for practical use. Sometimes it is too complicated while it can
be simpler for using at work. They need more specialized words while they were not
taught enough at university or college. Even when specialized vocabularies are taught,
they seem to be not applicable for work.
The differences between Japanese taught at school and needed at work
Q13MA: What are the differences between
Japanese which is taught at school and
Japaneseneeded at work do you think?
100% = 106 people
Unit: %
17
4
5
18
41
57
Japanese at school can be applied fulfilly at
work.
Other comment
Japanese at school included specialized
vocabulary which is not needed at work
Japanese at school is sometimes old, and not
close to the modern Japanese
Japanese at school is too complicated, while
what needed at work is more
simple
Japanese at school did not provide enough
specialized vocabulary

94
Listening is regarded as the most important skills when working for a Japanese
company. It is followed by Speaking and Reading skill.
Japanese skills regarding to the importance of work
10
13
30
49
Writing Japanese
Speaking Japanese
Reading Japanese
Listening Japanese
20
50
12
22
18
11
43
24
Q14FA: Please rank the following Japanese skills
regarding to their importance for your work.
Rank 1st
100% = 106 people
Rank 2nd
106
Rank 3rd
106
Unit: %

95
CHAPTER 4 – CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1. Situation of IT education and Japanese usage in IT companies in Vietnam
4.1.1. IT industry and IT human resources of Vietnam
Vietnam’s IT industry has performed a remarkable growth for recent years, despite the
slow-down of the world economy and difficulties that Vietnam has been facing. The
country is now more determined to invest in the IT industry to boost up the economy
and avoid the average-income trap.
The application of IT as well as utilization of Internet is still limited and remains at
simple level. Searching and emailing are popular, but online shopping and other
applications are yet to be utilized well even in enterprises.
Vietnam has recently issued some outstanding policies, such as Decision No.1755/QĐ-
TTg by Prime Minister on September 22nd
, 2010, approval of "The scheme to early
make Vietnam a country strong in information and communication technologies”, Draft
2.8 by MIC on November 1st
2010, “National program developing information
technology till 2015 and orientations to 2020”, etc. This shows the intention of the
country to develop IT industry and necessity to train more thousands skillful IT
employees for the country.
Through the analysis made in this report, we have come to the conclusion that
Vietnam's IT labor force is lack in quantity and low in quality. Although the number of
IT employees has increased in recent years, improvement in quality is slow. Especially,
working experience and foreign language skills seem the biggest weak points of
Vietnamese IT employees.
Japan is an important investor and client for Vietnam IT industry. The demand for
Japanese speaking IT employees is considered high. The survey on 52 Japan related
companies reveals that there is always a shortage of IT employees who can speak
Japanese, which is one of the important key skills to work in Japan related companies.
Out of 4,153 IT employees surveyed 953 employees (23%) can understand Japanese at
least of N5 level. N1, N2 level accounts for approximately 40% of 953.

96
4.1.2. Requirement of Japanese language at work
(i) Japanese using opportunity at work
The opportunities of using Japanese at work for IT employees differ considerably level
by level. The higher the level of Japanese is, the more chances they can get of applying
Japanese. IT employees at N1, N2 can deal well with a variety of Japanese using
circumstances, while N3 employees have less chances of using Japanese. Further, those
at N4, N5 have very limited Japanese usage.
Also in this survey, it has become evident that Japanese is used more internally than
externally among IT employees. In the case of internal usage, while over 40% IT
employees at N1 and N2 level use Japanese on mailing, reading documents or normal
conversation, people at N3 level mainly use Japanese on normal conversation followed
by reading documents. IT employees at level N4 and N5 almost have less occasion of
using Japanese both internally and externally.
(ii) Difficulties of using Japanese
In general, IT employees have many difficulties in using Japanese such as speaking,
listening in work-related issues and writing documents. Even those IT employees at
high level (N1, N2) encounter many difficulties with speaking in work-related
conversations. For external usage, normal conversation is also hard for many
employees.
Regarding Katakana usage, English is more preferred by IT employees than Katakana
words. Comparing with English, Katakana words are more difficult for IT employees
not only to pronounce, but also to listen to and write.
The higher the Japanese level is, the more frequent they use Katakana words at work. It
implies that their Japanese ability prevents them from using Katakana words, because
they have little opportunities to use them. Although Katakana is thought to be difficult
when using, a majority of employees surveyed indicate that Katakana is essential in
some cases or really essential. That shows its importance in Japanese IT companies.

97
4.1.3. Situation of IT and Japanese education in Vietnam
(i) IT education
The number of training agencies providing IT related courses has been increasing
gradually. The quality also has been improved considerably, but it is still far from
satisfying the need of the market and targets.
This research includes a survey on 10 major universities offering IT courses in
Vietnam. The survey shows the difficulties of the universities, such as many students
must share computers, the ratio of students to teacher was still high. Some of the
universities cooperate with overseas agencies, including Japanese to train IT students.
(ii) Japanese education
A majority of IT employees learned IT at university, while many of them took Japanese
courses at Japanese training centers. However, it is indicated from the survey that
teaching Japanese as a part of the undergraduate program at university contributes
remarkably to enhancing Japanese level, especially to gaining N1, N2 levels.
There is a key finding stated by IT employees on the difference of Japanese teaching
and using. They said that there is a big gap between what they were taught and what
they need at work. Moreover, it was indicated that listening and speaking are the most
important skills at work, followed by reading.
4.2. Japanese speaking IT human resources related issues
4.2.1. Japanese learning agencies
The result of the survey shows that most of IT employees did not learn Japanese in
University since there are few IT major Universities providing Japanese courses. Those
who need Japanese at work often have to take part in Japanese courses at Japanese
training centers. However, there are many Japanese centers with different quality.
Moreover, these employees often learn Japanese after work, in the evening or even in
weekend, which seems hard for learning or to get a completely effective learning hours.
4.2.2. Curriculums of Japanese training agencies
There is a big gap between the Japanese taught and the Japanese needed at work,
according to the survey results. In details, the IT employees find that they use quite
more simple Japanese at work than what they were taught. There is a problem lying in

98
the fact that IT employees do not have a chance to apply the complicated Japanese that
they learned, but they are still in need of improving their fundamental skills such as
listening and speaking. One more problem is that at school they are not provided
enough specialized vocabularies, which are necessary for work. Therefore they have to
learn vocabulary through working or by themselves.
4.2.3. Necessity of different solutions for each Japanese level learner
It is necessary to find different solutions to improve Japanese skills for Japanese
learners at each level. For those at low level (N4, N5) who cannot often use Japanese
even in normal conversation, it is hard for them to learn by themselves (such as reading
books, listening to Japanese news, etc) or learn by practicing Japanese at work.
4.3. Recommendations
4.3.1. For Japan-related companies
Since the Japanese taught at university is rather different from Japanese at work, it is
essential for companies to have some Japanese programs for their own employees.
Some effective ways for enhancing IT employees’ Japanese ability are recommended
as following:
Firstly, companies should understand the Japanese level of their staff and classify them
into appropriate level groups. Based on that, companies can make suitable training
programs for each group. At low level, companies can support IT employees to learn
Japanese by sending them to Japanese training centers, or open training courses at their
own companies. At high level, assigning them to advanced Japanese courses or opening
special Japanese courses (specialized vocabulary, etc) is also effective way to improve
their language skills. On the other hand, dispatching IT employees to Japan for training
is also a good way for them to enhance both specialty and Japanese capacity.
It is important not only to focus on Japanese training but also to encourage IT
employees to participate in Japanese exams such as Japanese - Language Proficiency
Test (JLPT) held in July and December every year. Companies may help employees to
pay for the exam fees or even tuition fees. Companies also need to provide them with
incentives such as offering wage subsidies for those employees who get a high level
certificate. This not only stimulates them to learn Japanese but also increases
inspiration at work as well.

99
In terms of internal activities, companies can organize Japanese clubs, Japanese
speaking clubs and other activities so that employees can communicate with each other
and improve their Japanese together.
4.3.2. For Japanese education
One of the survey findings is that speaking is harder than listening to many learners. It
indicates most Japanese learning ways are more observe-oriented rather than
interactive. In other words, they listen more but do not speak less. Therefore, it is
strongly advised that Japanese training agencies should focus more on encouraging
communication skills while keeping a balance between listening and speaking skills.
For example, discussion and presentation lessons should be applied to give learners
more chance to communicate in Japanese; extra-curricular activities such as Japanese
contest, Japanese conference, cultural exchange with Japanese should be organized.
Regarding specialized words in need, training agencies should research on Japanese
words needed at work by consulting experienced people, or cooperate with IT
companies and share opinions with them.
In addition, Universities may open Japanese courses at night for working people to
provide them more choices to improve their Japanese skills.
4.3.3. For Japanese learners
It is strongly recommended that IT engineers should try to get N2 or above level for
their own sake if they work for a Japan-related company.
Communicating with Japanese is considered as a very important way of learning
Japanese, which contributes greatly to improve Japanese ability into higher levels.
Besides doing exercises, Japanese learners are strongly advised to listen to Japanese
news or watch dramas and animes. They should also take part in Japanese extra-
curricular activities as much as possible to practice the language.
Moreover, the cooperation of IT companies is also recommended for training agencies
to improve Japanese language skills. For example, IT companies may send employees
to universities and share their points of view about both IT and Japanese with students.

100

101
CHAPTER 5 – APPENDIX
5.1. Questionnaires
5.1.1. Questionnaire for companies
QUESTIONNAIRE
Part 1 Basic information
Company name : ………………………………..
Address : ………………………………..
Website :………………………………..
Telephone number :………………………………..
Interviewee :………………………………..
Position :………………………………..
Mobile phone : ………………………………..
Part 2 Questions
2.1. Introduction
Q1MA Which business field(s) do your company belong to?
1 Software manufacturing
2 Hardware manufacturing
3 Out-sourcing
4 Web design service
5 Network management and security
6 IT products vendor
7 Digital content
8 Intergration service
9 IT consulting service
10 Other
Note:
1. IT consulting service: supporting their customer to access and select the
most suitable IT solutions provider.
2. IT solutions provider: providing software, hardware, IT
services.

102
2.2. Human resources
Q2FA How many employees are there in your company?
Total Japanese Vietnamese Other
nationality
IT employee
Non-IT employee
Q3FA How many IT employees are there in each position? (Vietnamese only)
1 Project manager
2 Programmer
3 Tester
4 Designer
5 System engineer (SE)
6 Other (……………………)
Q4MA Which levels of Japanese language of your IT employees are they?
(Vietnamese only)
1 N1 (equivalent to 1 kyu) No. of employees
2 N2 ( equivalent to 2 kyu) No. of employees
3 N3 (equivalent to the level
between 3kyu and 2kyu)
No. of employees

103
5.1.2. Questionnaire for employees
Name : ……………………………………………
Gender Male Female
Age : ……………………………………………
Company name : ……………………………………………
Phone number : ……………………………………………
Part 2 Questions
Q1FA Where did you learn about IT? (Which university/college/center?)
Q2MA Where did you learn Japanese?
1 High school
2 University/college in Vietnam
3 Japanese training center
4 Japanese tutor
5 Self-studying
6 Studying in Japan
7 Other
Q3SA What is your Japanese level? (It is not necessary to hold the certificate)
1 N1 (equivalent to 1 kyu)
(Advanced, understand Japanese used
in a variety of circumstances)
(Intermediate, understand Japanese used
in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree)
3 N3 (equivalent to 2.5 kyu)
(Pre-intermediate, understand Japanese used
in everyday situations to a certain degree)
(Basic, understand basic Japanese)
(Basic, understand some basic Japanese)

104
Q4MA How did you learn Japanese? (Please choose the main activities that
besides school and work)
1 Doing Japanese exercises
2 Listening Japanese news
3 Watching Japanese dramas, animes
4 Reading Japanese manga
5 Reading Japanese books/news,
magazines
6 Communicating with Japanese people
7 Practicing Japanese with other learners
8 Writing in Japanese (diary, email, letter, etc.)
9 Other activities
Q5MA In which position are you working?
1 Project manager or higher
2 Programmer
3 Tester
4 Designer
5 System engineer
6 Other
Q6MA In which circumstances in your job do you often use Japanese?
A Internal (i)
Almost
every day
(ii) Several
times per
week
(iii) Less
frequent
than (ii)
1 Normal conversation
2 Listening in work-related
conversation
3 Speaking in work-related
conversation
4 Reading emails
5 Writing emails
6 Writing documents
(reports, information, etc.)
for internal use
7 Reading documents
8 Other
9 I do not use Japanese in my company

105
B External
(i)
Almost
everyday
(ii)Several
times per
week
(iii) Less
frequent
than (ii)
1 Normal conversation with
clients
2 Listening in work-related
3 Speaking in work-related
4 Reading emails from clients
5 Writing emails to clients
6 Writing documents
(reports, quotation,
guidelines, etc.) for clients
7 Other
8 I do not use Japanese in external cases
Q7MA What kind of difficulties do you face while using Japanese at
work?
A Internal
1 Normal conversation
2 Listening in work-related conversation
3 Speaking in work-related conversation
4 Reading emails
5 Writing emails
6 Writing documents (reports, information, etc.)
for internal use
7 Reading documents
8 Other
9 No difficulty
B External
1 Normal conversation with clients
2 Listening in work-related conversation with clients
3 Speaking in work-related conversation with clients
4 Reading emails from clients
5 Writing emails to clients
6 Writing documents (reports, quotation, guidelines, etc.) for clients
7 Other
8 No difficulty

106
Q8MA What are main reasons of misunderstandings, if any, when you
communicate with Japanese people?
1 Because my Japanese was not good enough
2 Because of differences in mindset/culture
3 Because I did not know some IT knowledge
4 Because I did not know some other business or social knowledge
5 Because the Japanese did not know some IT knowledge
6 Because the Japanese did not know some other business or
social knowledge
7 Other
Q9SA Is there any circumstance at work that English is more convenient than
Japanese?
Any cases Most of
cases
Some
cases
No case
1. Normal conversation
2. Listening in work-related
conversation
3. Speaking in work-related
conversation
4. Reading emails
5. Writing emails
6. Writing documents
7. Reading documents
8. Other
Q10MA How did you get to know Katakana words which are related to IT?
(If you do not know any IT related Katakana words, please choose option 6
and answer Q11SA)
1 Through working
(Please answer the following questions)
2 Through Japanese curriculum at university/college
3 Through Japanese curriculum at Japanese training center
4 Self-studying via books, the Internet, TV, etc.
5 Other (Please answer the following questions)
6 I do not know any Katakana words which are related to IT
(Please answer questions from Q11SA)

107
Q10-1SA How often do you use IT related Katakana words at work?
1 Always
2 Usually
3 Sometimes
4 Rarely
5 Never
Q10-2MA What kind of difficulties do you face while using IT specialized
Katakana words?
1 Reading and understanding Katakana is difficult
2 Writing Katakana is difficult
3 Pronouncing Katakana is difficult
4 Listening Katakana is difficult
5 Other
6 No difficulty
Q10-3SA Do you think that English is easier to understand and more convenient
than Katakana while mentioning IT related words?
1 Yes
2 No
Q10-4SA Do you think that Katakana is really essential to your work?
1 Really essential, English cannot be used as an alternative for
Katakana
2 Essential in some cases
3 Not essential, English can be used as an alternative for Katakana
Q11SA Have your Japanese skills become better, remained the same, or become
worse since the day you worked for a Japanese company?
Skill Better The same Worse
1 Listening
2 Speaking
3 Reading
4 Writing

108
Q11-1MA Please answer this question if your Japanese skills become better:
Why do you think your Japanese skills became better since the day you
worked for a Japanese company?
My Japanese skills became better because I started doing or envolved
more than before in the following activities:
1 Taking a Japanese course(s)
2 Talking with Japanese people through my work
3 Talking with Japanese people through my social network
4 Listening to Japanese news
5 Watching Japanese dramas, animes
6 Reading Japanese documents at work
7 Reading Japanese materials besides work (manga, books,
magazines, etc)
8 Writing Japanese at work
9 Writing in Japanese besides work (diary, email, letter, etc…)
10 Going to Japan for business
11 Going to Japan on vacation
12 Other reason
Q11-2MA Please answer this question if your Japanese skills become worse:
Why do you think your Japanese skills became worse since the day you
worked for a Japanese company?
My Japanese skills became worse because after joining a Japanese
company:
1 I gave up Japanese courses
2 I had little chance to talk with Japanese people
through my work
3 I had less chance to talk Japanese people
through my social network than I used to
4 I had little chance to read Japanese document at work
5 I had little chance to write Japanese at work
6 I did not listen to Japanese news as I used to
7 I did not watch Japanese dramas, animes as I used to
8 I did not read Japanese materials besides work
(manga, books, magazines, etc) as I used to
9 I did not write in Japanese (diary, email, letter, etc)
as I used to
10 Other reason

109
Q12MA Besides your job, in which situations do you often use Japanese?
1 Reading books, newspaper, stories in Japanese
2 Listening to Japanese news
3 Listening to Japanese music
4 Watching Japanese movies, dramas
5 Communicating with Japanese (friends, relatives, acquaintances,
teachers, etc.)
6 Participating Japanese conferences/seminars, etc.
7 Other
8 I do not use Japanese besides my job.
Q13MA What are the differences between Japanese which is taught at school and
Japanese needed at work do you think?
1 Japanese at school is sometimes old, and not close to the modern
Japanese.
2 Japanese at school is too complicated, while what needed at
work is more simple
3 Japanese at school did not provide enough specialized
vocabulary which is needed at work.
4 Japanese at school included specialized vocabulary which is not
needed at work
5 Other comment
6 Japanese at school can be applied fully at work.
Q14FA Please rank the following Japanese skills regarding to their importance for
your work (with 1 is most important factor)
1 Listening Japanese
2 Speaking Japanese
3 Reading Japanese
4 Writing Japanese

110
5.1.3. Questionnaire for universities
INTERVIEW CONTENT
Name of university : …………………………………………………….
Name of faculty : …………………………………………………….
Address : ……………………………………………………
Website : ……………………………………………………
Telephone : ……………………………………………………
Interviewee : ……………………………………………………
Position : ……………………………………………………
Mobile phone : ……………………………………………………
Part 2 Questions
2.1. About HEDSPI (Higher Education Development Support Program on ICT)
Q1 Do you know about HEDSPI (Higher Education Development Support Program on
ICT) at Hanoi University of Technology? If yes, please give your comments on
HEDSPI.
2.2. About students and teachers
Q2 How many full-time, undergraduate students are there in your university?
Q3 Among those, how many students are there in your faculty?

111
Q4 Please give us information on number of teachers in your faculty
1 Total number of teachers
2 Number of permanent teachers
3 Number of visiting teachers
4 Number of other teachers (if any)
Q5 Please describe department structure of your faculty
Department Number of teachers
2.3. Training program
Q6 What are special characteristics of your IT curriculum?
Does your faculty apply any IT training program from other countries?
If yes, please answer its name and origin
COUNTRY NAME OF CURRICULUM
1
2
3
4
5

112
Q7 Please give more details on your IT training program. You can provide information
which is requested as below, by giving a description on your IT training program.
Sector Sub-
sector
Subject (IT
related)
No. of
credit
No. of classes Subject description
2.4. About infrastructure
Q8 How many computers are being used for IT training activities of your faculty?
Q9 How long have they been being used until now?
Ex: How many years do you use computers? How often do you replace the computers?
Q10 Are computers connected to the Internet?
Q11 Is there Wifi in your campus?

113
Q12 Is there any IT practice room for students? Can we take some pictures of the room?
If yes:
How many rooms are there?
How many computers are there?
Q13 Is there any room with computers available for students to use after classes?
If there is:
What time are the rooms open?
Q13-2 Do you think that the computers are sufficient in your faculty?
2.5. About cooperation and research
Q14 Does your faculty cooperate with any foreign university and/or organization or
company in IT training?
If yes, please describe briefly the cooperation.
No.
University/Organization
(which country?)
Type of
cooperation*
Details
(Ex: Number of students,
comments, etc,)
* Type of cooperation: Ex: Dispatch teachers, Joint research ; Scholarship for students,
teachers, etc.
Q15 When your faculty conducts the research activities, what kind of problem you have
faced? For example, equipment is not enough, shortage of researchers, low quality of
postgraduates, lack of funds, etc.
What were the reasons for those problems?
What kind of countermeasures are to be taken?

114
2.6. About ITSS - Information Technology Standard Skills
Q16 Does your faculty apply the Japanese ITSS in your IT curriculum? Since when?
If no, do you have any plan to apply it? When?
If yes, since when? Is there any difficulty? How many students have been
trained? Etc.
If you used to apply ITSS but no longer apply it now in IT training
When was it applied? Why was it stopped being applied?
Q17 Do you recommend students to apply for FE (Fundamentals of Engineering exam)
conducted by VITEC?
Q18 1 Number of your faculty students applied FE exam in 2010:
2 Number of your faculty students passed FE exam in 2010:

115
5.2. List of interviewed Companies and Universities
5.2.1. Companies
No. Name Address Website Phone number
1 ACT Brain Vietnam
Co., Ltd.
107-109 -111 Nguyen
Dinh Chieu, Ward 6,
Dist.3, HCMC
www.actbrain-
vn.com
(84-8) 6290 5784
2 Advanced
Intelligence
&Technology JSC
G4 Block, La Thanh
Hotel, 218 Doi Can,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi
www.ai-t.vn (84-4) 3762 4015
3 AKB Software
Vietnam
Room 1806, The
Garden Building, My
Dinh new urban area,
Me Tri, Tu Liem,
Hanoi
www.akb.com.
vn
(84-4) 3787 7529
4 Applistar Vietnam Lot 95 TT4, My Dinh
new urban area,
Tu Liem, Hanoi
www.applistar.
com
(84-4) 3787 6331
5 Bridge System R502A Floor 5 , A
building, Incubation
Center, Lot D, 01 Tan
Thuan, Tan Thuan
EPZ, Dist.7, HCMC
www.bridgesys
tem.me
(84-8) 3770 0807
6 Cuvel Software Co.,
Ltd.
140 Co Bac, Co Giang
Ward, Dist.1, HCMC
www.cuvel.co
m
(84-8) 3920 8215
7 Cybozu Vietnam Inc. Etown1, Cong Hoa Str.,
Tan Binh Dist., HCMC
www.cybozu.c
o.jp
(84-8) 3813 1101
8 Dank Hearts Vietnam
JSC.
7F, CMC Bldg, Dich
Vong, Cau Giay Dist,
Hanoi
www.dank-
hearts.co.jp
(84-4) 3795 9171
9 Data Design Vietnam P407 , 123 Truong
Dinh, Ward 7,
Dist.3,HCMC
www.datadesig
n.co.jp
(84-8) 3932 1520
10 Delivery Vietnam Floor 6, Etown 2
Building, No 364 Cong
Hoa Str., Ward 13,Tan
Binh Dist., HCMC
www.deliv.co.j
p
(84-8) 3812 3395
11 Emar Vietnam Co.,
Ltd.
Floor 7, Zen Plaza 54-
56 Nguyen Trai, Dist.
1, HCMC
www.emar.co.j
p
(84-8) 3925 4445
12 FPT Software FPT Bldg, Duy Tan St.,
Cau Giay Dist, Hanoi
www.fpt-
software.com
(84-4) 3768 9048

116
13 Fujitsu Vietnam 8th floor, 535 Kim Ma,
Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi
www.fujitsu.co
m/vn/vi/
(84-4)-2220 3113
14 Global Cybersoft,
Inc.
Helios Building, Quang
Trung Software Park,
Tan Chanh Hiep Ward,
Dist. 12, HCMC
www.globalcyb
ersoft.com
(84-8) 5437 1199
15 Global Data Service
JSC
204A, Thang Long
Bldg, 105 Lang Ha St.,
Hanoi
www.gds.vn (84-4) 3562 6996
16 Global network
technologies Vietnam
Co., Ltd.
67 Thu Khoa Huan,
Ben Thanh Ward,
Dist.1, HCMC
www.gnt.com.
vn/gnt_vietnam
.htm
(84-8) 3822 6023
17 Grapecity Vietnam 6 Yen The, Ba Dinh
Dist, Hanoi
www.grapecity
.com
(84-4) 3747 8074
18 Hi World JSC 4, 111Alley, Nguyen
Phong Sac St, Cau Giay
Dist, Hanoi
www.hiworld.c
om.vn
(84-4) 6269 1686
19 Ichi Corporation
Japan
F7, Estar Building, No
147-149, Vo Van Tan
Str., Ward 6, Dist.3,
HCMC
www.ichi-
corp.vn/
(84-8) 3930-8042
20 IM Link 40-42 Phan Boi Chau,
Dist.1, HCMC
www.imlink.co
.jp /
www.imlvietna
m.co.jp
(84-8) 3827 2651
21 Information
intergration
management solution
JSC
No 14, Alley 193/32,
Bo De, Long Bien Dist,
Hanoi
www.itms.vn (84-4) 3719 2728
22 ISB Vietnam Co., Ltd Room 3.1,Floor 3,
E Town 2 Building,
364 Cong Hoa Str.,
www.isb-
vietnam.com
(84-8) 3812 7145
23 IT Ha Noi JSC No 14/90 Yen Lac Str.,
Hai Ba Trung Dist.,
Hanoi
www.ithanoi.c
om
(84-4) 3636 9490
24 KDDI Vietnam Unit 7, 4F,
International Centre, 17
Ngo Quyen, Hanoi
www.kddivietn
am.com
(84-4) 3826 2001
25 Kobelco Viet Control
System Co., Ltd.
Floor 5. Etown2. 364
Cong Hoa Str., Tan
Binh Dist., HCMC
www.kvics.co
m.Vietnam
(84-8) 3812 1602

117
26 Lifetime
Technologies
Vietnam-Japan
3F, 3D creative Bldg,
Duy Tan, Cau Giay
Dist, Hanoi
www.lifetimete
ch.vn
(84-4) 3795 1025
27 Luvina Software JSC 1001, Hoang Quoc Viet
Str., Cau Giay Dist,
Hanoi
www.luvina.ne
t
(84-4) 3793 1103
28 Material Automation
Thailand (MAT)
Vietnam
4F, No 24, Alley 12,
Dao Tan St, Ba Dinh
Dist., Hanoi
www.mat.co.th (84-4) 3211 5790
29 NCS Technology 6Floor, LuckyB
Building, No 66, Tran
Thai Tong St., Cau
Giay Dist., Hanoi
www.ncstech.c
om.vn
30 Netmarks Vietnam Room 301, Technology
center Floor, Thang
Long IZ, Dong Anh
Dist., Hanoi
www.netmarks.
com.vn
(84-4) 3955 0180
31 New System Vietnam
Co., Ltd.
Room 503, Hoa Lam
Building, No 2 Thi
Sach, Dist.1, HCMC
www.newsyste
mvietnam.com
(84-8) 3824 6350
32 Nippon Cloud 23 Ton Duc Thang,
Dist.1, HCMC
www.vn.jp-
cloud.com/vn
(84-8) 3824 3288
33 NTT Communication Floor 11, Sailing Tower
Building, 51 Nam Ki
Khoi Nghia Str., Dist.1,
HCMC
www.vn.ntt.co
m
(84-8) 3827 3646
34 NTT Data Vietnam
Co., Ltd.
R401, V-Tower, 649
Kim Ma, Ba Dinh Dist.,
Hanoi
www.nttdata.co
m.vn
(84-4) 3766 7973
35 Panasonic R&D
Center Vietnam Co.,
Ltd.
11F, CMC Bldg, Dich
Vong Hau, Cau Giay
Dist, Hanoi
NA (84-4) 3553 7211
36 Pasona Tech Vietnam M Floor, E.Town, 364
Cong Hoa, ward 13,
www.csfactory
-vn.com
(84-8) 3812 7150
37 Photron Vietnam Room 7A2, Floor 7,
Han Nam building. 65
Nguyen Du Str.,Dist. 1,
HCMC
www.photron.c
o.jp
(84-8) 3823 9638
38 Renesas Design Tan Thuan EPZ, Dist.1,
HCMC
www.vietnam.r
enesas.com
(84-8) 3770 0255
39 Runsystem JSC 118 Nguyen Ngoc Nai,
Thanh Xuan Dist.,
Hanoi
www.runsyste
m.net

118
40 Seta-cinqVienam 4th Floor, 3D Creative
Center Building, Duy
Tan Str., Cau Giay
Dist., Hanoi
www.setacinq.
vn
84-4) 3795 1298
41 SMS Vietnam 10F, CTM Bld, 299
Cau Giay Str., Cau
Giay Dist, Hanoi
www.bm-
sms.co.jp/
(84-4) 2220 1403
42 Sprite
Communication Co.,
Ltd.
No 10, AgriBank
Dormitory, 106 Alley,
Hoang Quoc Viet Str.,
Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi
www.sprite.co
m.vn
(84-4) 3748 0475
43 Strawberry Jam
Vietnam
DC Tower, 111D Ly
Chinh Thang, Ward 7,
Dist.3, HCMC
www.strawberr
y-jam.vn
(84-8) 6292 1355
44 Suntas International
JSC
Cienco1 Bldg, R 1205,
Hoang Dao Thuy Str.,
Nhan Chinh, Thanh
Xuan Dist., Hanoi
www.suntas.ne
t
(84-4) 3772 4304
45 System Exe Inc Floor 3. Etown. 364
Cong Hoa, Tan Binh
Dist., HCMC
www.system-
exe.co.jp/
(84-8) 3770 0255
46 Tazmo Vietnam Road 12, Tan Thuan
IZ, Dist.7, HCMC
www.tazmo-
vn.com
(84-8) 3770 0664
47 Toshiba Software
Development
Vietnam Co., Ltd.
16F, VIT Bldg, 519
Kim Ma Str., Ba Dinh
Dist., Hanoi
NA (84 - 4) 2220
8801
48 Tri-vision JSC Room 707, Sunrise
Tower, 123 Tran Thai
Tong, Cau Giay Dist.,
Hanoi
tri-vision.com (84-4) 3557 7926
49 USOL Vietnam Floor 14, 20 - Hoa Binh
Tower - 106 Hoang
Quoc Viet Str., Cau
Giay Dist., Hanoi
www.usol-
v.com.vn
(84-4) 3755 6500
50 V.N.E.X.T JSC R1407, 34T Building,
Trung Hoa Nhan
Chinh, Hoang Dao
Thuy Str., Thanh Xuan
Dist., Hanoi
www.vnext.vn (84-4) 0906 249
886
51 Vietnam Image
Partner Systems
4th floor, No.18,
11 alley, Thai Ha Str.,
Dong Da Dist, Hanoi
www.vips.com.
vn
(84-4)-3537-8480
52 We Are Engineering
Co., Ltd
Floor 4, Etown-3
Builtding, Cong Hoa
Str., Tan Binh Dist.,
HCMC
www.wae.jp (84-8) 3813 0515

119
5.2.2. Universities
No Name Faculty Address Website Phone number
1 Hanoi
University of
Industry
Information
Technology
Minh Khai,
Tu Liem,
Hanoi
www.haui.ed
u.vn/default.
aspx?Channe
lID=77
(84-4) 3765 5121
2 Hanoi
University of
Industry
International
Education
and Training
Minh Khai,
Tu Liem,
Hanoi
www.haui.ed
u.vn/default.
aspx?Channe
lID=85
(84-4) 3765 5121
3 FPT
University
Information
Technology
DETECH,
8 Ton That
Thuyet Str.,
My Dinh, Cau
Giay Dist.,
Hanoi
www.fpt.edu.
vn
(84-4) 3768 8922
4 Hanoi
University of
Business and
Technology
Information
Technology
29A, Alley 124
Vinh Tuy Str.,
Hai Ba Trung
Dist., Hanoi
www.hubt.ed
u.vn
(84-4) 3633 6605
5 Military
Technical
Institute
Information
Technology
100 Hoang
Quoc Viet Str.,
Cau Giay Dist.,
Hanoi
www.lqdtu.e
du.vn
(84-4) 3755 3517
6 University of
Transport and
Communica-
tion
Information
Technology
Lang Thuong
Ward - Dong
Da Dist.,
Hanoi
www.uct.edu
.vn
(84-4) 3766 4078
7 Ho Chi Minh
University of
Industry
Information
Technology
12 Nguyen
Van Bao
Str.,Ward4, Go
Vap Dist.,
HCMC
www.hui.edu
.vn
(84-8) 3894 0390
8 Ho Chi Minh
University of
Industry
International
Studies
13 Nguyen
Van Bao Str.,
Ward 4, Go
Vap Dist,
HCMC
www.hui.edu
.vn
(84-8) 3894 0391

120
Name Faculty Address Website Phone number
9
Ho Chi Minh
University of
Industry
Computer
Science &
Engineering
14 Nguyen
Van Bao Str.,
Ward 4, Go
Vap Dist,
HCMC
www.csehui.w
ordpress.com
(84-8) 3894 0392
10
Ho Chi Minh
University of
Foreign
Languages-
Information
Technology
Information
Technology
155 Su Van
Hanh, Ward
13, Dist. 10,
HCMC
www.huflit.ed
u.vn
(84-8) 3862 1859
11
University of
Information
Technology
Km 20 Hanoi
Highway, Linh
Trung, Thu
Duc Dist.,
HCMC
www.uit.edu.v
n
(84-8) 3725 1993
12
Ho Chi Minh
University of
Technology
Computer
Science &
Engineering
268 Ly Thuong
Kiet Str., Dist.
10, HCMC
www.hcmut.ed
u.vn
(84-8) 3864 7256
13
Ho Chi Minh
University of
Technology
Information
Technology
144/24 Dien
Bien Phu,
Ward 25, Binh
Thanh Dist.,
HCMC
www.hutech.e
du.vn
(84-8) 3512 0783

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