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Using Talend Big Data Platform to build a cloud data lake on the Microsoft Azure Cloud Platform, learn how a company was able to integrate and cleanse data from multiple sources and deliver real-time insights.
The process of extracting value from your data, especially in industries such as financial services, can be a challenge. There’s the sheer volume of data, which is on pace to double every two years.
Data comes from multiple sources, can be spread across your infrastructure or stuck in silos, and can be hard to integrate when it’s distributed across cloud and on-premises platforms. Increasing and changing regulations can hinder the process, too. As well, your customers demand self-service access in real time, and your teams want more insights, and faster.
In this eBook, learn why a cloud data lake you trust can help you scale the process of integrating data, assessing its quality, tracking lineage, and extracting value from data—with confidence.
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Vietnam has emerged as a promising market in the global data centre landscape, with significant growth projected in the coming decade. According to the latest report from Viettel IDC, the country’s data centre market is forecast to reach a value of US$1.26 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%. This projection underscores Vietnam’s increasing importance in the digital economy and its potential to become a key player in the data centre industry.
Despite its promising outlook, Vietnam’s data centre market currently lags behind its regional counterparts in terms of size. Compared to countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, Vietnam’s data centre market is relatively small. However, this is expected to change in the coming years as the country experiences rapid economic growth and invests heavily in digital infrastructure.
One of the key drivers of growth in Vietnam’s data centre market is the increasing demand for digital services and cloud computing. With the rise of e-commerce, digital banking, and other online services, there is a growing need for secure and reliable data storage and processing facilities. Data centres play a crucial role in meeting this demand by providing the infrastructure necessary to support these services.
Another factor contributing to the growth of Vietnam’s data centre market is the government’s support for digital transformation initiatives. In recent years, the Vietnamese government has prioritised the development of the digital economy as part of its broader economic strategy. This has included investments in digital infrastructure, as well as policies aimed at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the tech sector.
Furthermore, Vietnam benefits from a skilled workforce and relatively low construction costs compared to other countries in the region. This makes it an attractive destination for companies looking to establish data centre operations in Southeast Asia. Additionally, the government has implemented supportive regulatory frameworks to encourage investment in the sector, further stimulating growth.
Domestically, the data centre market in Vietnam is dominated by a few major players, including Viettel, VNPT, FPT, and CMC. These companies collectively hold approximately 97% of the market share, indicating a high level of concentration in the industry. However, there are still opportunities for new entrants, particularly in niche segments or specialised services.
Looking ahead, Viettel IDC predicts a significant expansion of Vietnam’s data centre market in the coming years. Plans are underway to build megacentres in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with an estimated total capacity of up to 450 MW. This represents a substantial increase from the current capacity and reflects the growing demand for data centre services in the country.
In addition to data centres, Vietnam’s cloud computing market is also experiencing rapid growth. While the market size is currently smaller than that of neighboring countries like the Philippines and Indonesia, Vietnam has the highest growth rate in the Southeast Asia region and ranks third in Asia overall. The projected growth rate of Vietnam’s cloud market over the next 5-10 years is expected to be around 19-20%, driven by increased adoption of cloud services by businesses and consumers.
Vietnam’s data centre market presents significant opportunities for growth and investment in the coming years. With supportive government policies, a skilled workforce, and increasing demand for digital services, Vietnam is well-positioned to become a major player in the global data centre industry. As the country continues to invest in digital infrastructure and technology, it is poised to emerge as a leading hub for data centre operations in Southeast Asia and beyond.
OpenGov Asia reported that Vietnam is rapidly becoming a key player in the global data center market, driven by factors like increasing digitalisation among SMEs, a tech-savvy young population, the rollout of 5G technology, and a rising demand for independent digital infrastructure and data sovereignty.
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Vietnam is rapidly establishing itself as a significant player in the global data centre market, driven by various factors including the increasing digitalisation efforts of its domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the tech-savvy nature of its young population, the rollout of 5G technology, and a rising demand for self-reliant digital infrastructure and data sovereignty.
The Vietnamese data centre market has experienced remarkable growth, surpassing US$1 billion last year, almost doubling the figures recorded in 2022. Notably, the majority of participants in this burgeoning sector are domestic telecommunications companies, indicative of the local industry’s growing capabilities and investment in digital infrastructure.
A leading real estate consultancy firm, reports that there are presently 28 data centre projects spread across the country, boasting a combined capacity of 45 MW and involving 44 service providers. This surge in activity is further underscored by the entry of major global players, one of which announced the establishment of data centres in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in August 2022.
Despite this rapid expansion, Vietnam’s data centre market remains relatively young compared to more mature markets in the region such as Singapore and Tokyo. While international cloud service providers have yet to make a significant imprint, partnerships between international telecommunications companies and local counterparts have facilitated market entry. Additionally, small and medium-scale projects initiated by domestic firms are underway in key cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, showcasing a diverse ecosystem of data centre development.
The driving forces behind Vietnam’s data centre market expansion are manifold. The CEO of a prominent real estate firm, highlights rapid population growth, urbanisation trends, high internet penetration rates, and active digital adoption in various sectors including banking and business operations. These factors collectively contribute to a conducive environment for data centre investment and growth.
However, despite these promising indicators, Vietnam faces challenges in scaling its data centre infrastructure to meet global standards relative to its population size. Issues such as construction complexities, a shortage of skilled labour, and logistical hurdles in the supply chain pose obstacles to domestic investors.
To navigate these challenges, industry experts recommend a strategic focus on larger-scale data centre projects over smaller, fragmented facilities. Southern provinces, with their ample land reserves, access to reliable electricity within industrial zones, and proximity to major national submarine cable landing stations, emerge as promising locations for future data centre developments. Additionally, the prevalence of renewable energy sources, constituting a quarter of the national energy mix, provides a sustainability advantage for prospective data centre investors.
In the broader context, data centres are poised to play a pivotal role in facilitating Vietnam’s digital transformation journey. While the market is still in its nascent stages, the anticipation of favourable investment policies in the near future signals a growing appetite among foreign investors to capitalise on the country’s burgeoning data centre sector and contribute to its digital evolution.
Vietnam is forging ahead with plans to establish clusters of IT parks and software chains, signalling a concerted effort to bolster its digital ecosystem and elevate global competitiveness within the production value chain. Despite notable strides in IT park development under the 2020 master plan, challenges persist, particularly regarding connectivity and collaboration among these parks and industrial zones, especially in larger urban centres where potential remains largely untapped.
By integrating this initiative into broader national ICT infrastructure development and regional socio-economic planning, Vietnam underscores its commitment to harnessing technology as a driver of economic growth and innovation.
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In developing the technology and accelerating the nation’s economy, the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) School of Sport and Recreation has launched its two cutting-edge sports tech inventions internationally. It marks a significant milestone in New Zealand’s foray into the global sports technology market. The licensing deals with American and Australian companies underscore AUT’s position as the leading university of technology in New Zealand and a world leader in sport and recreation research.
One of the pioneering inventions, Hawkin TruStrength (HTS), is an invention from a collaboration between Professor John Cronin, a renowned sports scientist at AUT and Kiwi Texas. Initially funded by Kiwi Texas for early prototype development, the project has recently partnered with the US sports tech company Hawkin Dynamics for commercialisation. HTS is a high-spec, portable device that revolutionises athlete training and rehabilitation by removing subjectivity and introducing a data-driven approach.
Designed by Prof Cronin, an expert in strength and conditioning and sports technology, TruStrength is a portable fixed dynamometer, roughly the size of a fist, capable of measuring pushing (compressive) and pulling (tensile) forces from 1 N (100 gm) to 10,000 N (1000 kg). This innovative tool provides quantitative accuracy to training and rehab processes, optimising patient outcomes and enabling previously hard-to-measure movements to be quantified.
“This technology aims to bring more quantitative accuracy to what professionals do and assist them in optimising patient outcomes,” said Prof Cronin. TruStrength also serves as a training tool, allowing even low-tech training aids like rubber-based resistance TheraBands to be attached to the dynamometer, producing objective data.
Prof Cronin explained that the idea for TruStrength originated on the SPRINZ campus in Auckland, where he collaborated with a PhD student seeking better isometric force measurements for high-performance athletes. This collaborative ethos is central to AUT’s approach. As Prof Cronin explains, “We’re a campus where industry and a university have come together. Our mantra is ask, answer, share.”
The second innovative technology is DynaSled. This breakthrough has been licensed to an Australian company. This wireless force-sensing device measures strength and leg imbalances, optimising athletic performance training and assessing sports injury risk.
Developed by AUT sports and exercise science researchers Dr Matt Brughelli, Dr Matt Cross, and High-Performance Sport New Zealand PhD graduate Dr Farhan Tinwala, the DynaSled project received early-stage funding from KiwiNet, a government initiative supporting the commercialisation of university research.
The DynaSled, equipped with a wireless force sensor, is a cutting-edge tool to assess force production during functional movements, including sprinting overground. This innovative technology evaluates overall force production and allows for determining leg asymmetries, a critical factor in preventing lower limb injuries.
Dr Brughelli emphasises DynaSled’s unique ability to determine the optimal loading for each athlete based on their individual goals. This capability sets it apart as a distinctive and valuable tool in sports technology, promising to revolutionise how athletes train and perform.
With support from AUT Ventures, the researchers collaborated with an Australian company to develop the commercial version of DynaSled. Swift Performance has now licensed the technology from AUT and will market the product worldwide. The company will also fund postgraduate research on the DynaSled with athletes, furthering the technology’s development and application.
Mark Fisher, founder and CEO of that Australian company partner, expressed optimism about collaborating with AUT researchers and the potential for long-term cooperation. “It is great working with industry-leading sports science researchers, and we hope to have a long-term partnership with AUT going forward to help commercialise the Sled technology,” Fisher said.
DynaSled and Hawkin TruStrength (HTS) technologies showcase AUT’s expertise in sports technology and demonstrate New Zealand’s global sports tech market potential. With AUT at the forefront, the future of sports technology appears more promising than ever, with continued innovation and advancements on the horizon.
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The Data Innovation and Governance Institute (DIGI), under the Digital Government Development Agency (Public Organisation) or DGA, has organised the International Open Data Day 2024, a significant event aimed at promoting the use of data systems and highlighting the importance of open data in advancing towards sustainable open government. This forum emphasised the critical role that open data plays in driving technological advancements and digital transformations towards sustainable governance.
Open data serves as a powerful catalyst for positive technological change, offering insights into inequalities and disparities in income, wealth, and access to government services. It also helps measure the impact of development initiatives, establish benchmarks, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services. By promoting data systems, the event aimed to underscore the transformative power of open data in advancing sustainable development through digital means.
Puchpong Nodthaisong, Secretary-General of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (NDESC), previously highlighted the importance of the open data platform in improving the utilisation of government data accounts. The platform ensures that critical national development issues are adequately analysed and decided upon.
Based on the OpenGov report, Puchpong Nodthaisong emphasised, “data is a valuable asset in the country’s growth process, facilitating data analysis and decision-making in various disciplines, including scenario analysis for project planning, monitoring, and evaluation under the country’s economic and social thrust.”
At the forum, Dr Puangpetch Chunlaid, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, played a central role, presiding over the ceremony and delivering a keynote address that underscored the importance of information disclosure in the transition to a digital government. Dr Chunlaid emphasised the pivotal role of data in modern governance, stating that it is crucial for making informed policy decisions, enhancing operational efficiency and driving innovation. He highlighted how data-driven approaches can lead to the development of more effective economic and social policies, ultimately fostering strong and sustainable growth.
Mrs Irada Lueangwilai, Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Digital Government Development Agency reiterated the DGA’s commitment to driving digital government development in Thailand. The agency aims to enhance government efficiency through digital technology, develop online services for the public and various sectors, and facilitate information exchange between government agencies, all essential aspects of a digital government.
International Open Data Day has highlighted the importance of information disclosure. In Thailand, the event, hosted by the DGA under the theme “Data-Driven for Sustainability,” emphasised data’s role in sustainable development. The event included activities organised by the DGA, demonstrating Thailand’s commitment to leveraging data for sustainable development and open government.
DGA has been committed to spurring the development of open data in Thailand. It has been proven since 2015, when the DGA’s establishment of the open government data centre, data.go.th, marked a significant achievement in promoting open government policy and strengthening public participation. With over 11,000 datasets released by government agencies, government data has been transformed into a valuable public resource, driving innovations that benefit the nation.
DGA continues to provide information on using open data in the public sector through DIGI’s social media page, Data Innovation and Governance Institute, showcasing the government’s dedication to harnessing data’s power for sustainable development and open government through digital technologies.
The overarching goal of this gathering was to cultivate a culture of data-driven decision-making, equipping individuals with the capabilities to extract profound insights from data. These insights are pivotal in informing decision-making processes and conducting in-depth analyses across various domains.
Moreover, these forums catalyse robust collaborations within a data community, extending beyond national boundaries. They facilitate the exchange of information at an international level, thereby contributing to the harmonisation and integration of diverse datasets. This effort results in tangible use cases that benefit the public and contribute to the further expansion of the economy.
In the future, DGA will consistently collaborate with other stakeholders, including academia, civil society, and the private sector, to expand the reach and impact of open data initiatives. By building partnerships and sharing best practices, DGA seeks to create a more vibrant and sustainable open data ecosystem in Thailand.
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The Ministry of Public Security is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative with the introduction of a draft proposal for Vietnam’s Data Law. This pivotal legislation addresses the pressing need for a centralised national data centre, marking a significant stride towards cohesive data management infrastructure.
Currently, several ministries grapple with inadequate infrastructure to support vital information technology systems. This deficiency results in disjointed databases plagued by issues of standardisation and uniformity. Moreover, existing data centres suffer from insufficient investment, non-compliance with standards, and lax security measures.
To tackle these challenges head-on, the proposed regulations aim to establish a national data centre. This centre will function as a centralised repository, fostering seamless connectivity among disparate databases and information systems.
The Ministry of Public Security is actively working towards the completion and operation of the inaugural national data centre in Hoa Lac (Hanoi) by the end of 2025. This aligns with the timelines set forth in Resolution No. 175/NQ-CP and the effective date of the Data Law on January 1, 2026.
The impact policy assessment report by the Ministry of Public Security underscores the benefits of the national data centre. It anticipates reduced investment costs for the state in digital transformation infrastructure and resources.
This initiative promises streamlined management and expertise for nationwide data activities, spanning collection, storage, management, exploitation, use, and sharing. Additionally, it ensures cost savings in administering information systems outside the state database of political and socio-political organisations.
Organisations, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to register and utilise services from the government-provided national data centre infrastructure and cloud computing services. This not only optimises investment resources but also mitigates concerns surrounding data leakage.
The Ministry of Public Security forecasts significant cost savings for ministries, departments, and localities in data collection and cleaning related to the population. Leveraging information from the national population database is projected to yield substantial savings.
Furthermore, entities currently leasing data infrastructure space at a considerable cost stand to benefit from transitioning to the national data centre. This shift ensures top-tier security and safety while enabling the state to reduce expenses associated with renting premises, operational costs, and business profits.
The Ministry of Public Security actively seeks input from agencies, organisations, and individuals for the draft Data Law. In recent years, Vietnam has demonstrated its commitment to establishing a robust legal framework for data management. Despite numerous laws regulating databases, the current framework is deemed incomplete, lacking unified standards and efficient deployment mechanisms.
The proposed Data Law aims to bridge this gap by addressing crucial areas such as data building, development, processing, and management. It also encompasses regulations on the national consolidated database, the national data centre, and associated products and services.
Ultimately, the Data Law seeks to bolster Vietnam’s digital government, digital economy, and digital society. By ensuring security, safety, and effective support for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, this legislation heralds a new era of data management in Vietnam. The Ministry suggests aligning other relevant laws with the provisions of the Data Law to foster a cohesive legal landscape conducive to digital advancement.
As OpenGov Asia reported, Vietnam’s digitalisation journey is propelled by the recently approved National Data Strategy, envisioning ambitious technological advancements by 2030. Central to this strategy is transitioning all administrative procedures online, bolstering efficiency in government services.
To support this, Vietnam plans to interconnect national and regional data centres and high-performance computing hubs, enabling seamless data sharing nationwide. Intending to digitalise the entire national database, Vietnam aims to establish an e-government framework, promoting accessibility and transparency in governance.
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In a bid to harness the power of big data for social and economic progress, the Thai government, led by Mr Prasert Chandraruangthong, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE), has unveiled the Big Data Institute’s (BDI) new role in shaping the future through data. The initiative, titled “Power the Future with Data – The Next Chapter of BDI,” aims to harness the power of big data and AI to drive economic and societal growth in the digital era.
Thailand has long recognised the importance of data in its growth trajectory. The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), operating under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), has actively promoted the use of big data for national progress, including during the tenure of the GBDi. The previous institute successfully streamlined over 100 projects undertaken by 67 state agencies and was crucial in developing platforms to support these initiatives.
At the meeting, key figures attended, including Professor Wisit Wisitsaratha, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Affairs, Mr Suthikiat Veerakijpanich, Advisor to the Minister, Mr Wanlop Rujirakorn, Secretary to the Minister, and Associate Professor Dr Theeranee Ajalakul, Director of the Big Data Institute, highlighting the institute’s collaborative efforts with government agencies.
In his address, Mr Prasert highlighted the pivotal role of the Big Data Institute in leveraging big data to propel the country forward. He emphasised the institute’s role in bridging the gap between government agencies, enabling them to utilise various information sources for maximum benefit. This approach, he noted, is crucial for accelerating national development and enhancing the quality of life for citizens in a sustainable manner.
“Big data is critical because it provides valuable insights, patterns, and trends from vast amounts of structured and unstructured data. By leveraging big data, organisations and societies can enhance decision-making, optimise operations, and drive innovation across various sectors,” Mr Prasert explained.
Further, Mr Prasert underscored the importance of the Thai Large Language Model (ThaiLLM) project, led by the Big Data Institute, as a key component of Thailand’s artificial intelligence infrastructure. The project aligns with the Ministry of DE’s focus on leveraging data technology and AI to enhance Thailand’s digital and innovation competitiveness on a global scale.
According to a previous OpenGov Asia report, developing the Thai Large Language Model (Thai LLM) is a significant step towards enhancing Thailand’s natural language processing capabilities. Large language models, like the Thai LLM, can process and generate human language, enabling a wide range of applications such as machine translation, text summarisation, and chatbots in the Thai language.
Following the discussion on the ThaiLLM project, Professor Phiphisit Wisit Wisitsaratha, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, delivered a lecture on the policy direction of using data technology and AI to drive Thailand forward. He emphasised the ministry’s commitment to promoting public benefit and readiness to adapt to modern challenges, particularly in big data technology.
Associate Professor Dr Theeranee Ajalakul, Director of the Big Data Institute, highlighted BDI’s role in promoting the use of analytical data for decision-making and service delivery. The institute serves as a hub for connecting and analysing data across various sectors, fostering an ecosystem that supports data entrepreneurs and meets the demands of the Thai industrial sector.
An important aspect of BDI’s work is its focus on developing a skilled workforce in big data. The institute has trained over 100 new-generation information professionals, equipping them with the skills to drive Thailand’s competitive advantage and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
In this context, the efforts of the Big Data Institute underscore Thailand’s commitment to becoming a Data-Driven Nation. It is believed that by leveraging data and AI technologies, Thailand aims to achieve concrete national reforms to propel the country towards stable, sustainable, and transparent economic development.
“Thailand is laying the foundation for a more competitive digital economy. This could lead to significant improvements in efficiency, innovation, and overall quality of life for its citizens in the future,” Mr Prasert concluded.
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In response to the rapidly evolving landscape of data collection and analysis driven by advances in artificial intelligence, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have joined forces to establish a Research Coordination Network (RCN) dedicated to advancing privacy research and the development, deployment, and scaling of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs).
This initiative, which fulfils a mandate from the “Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence,” aims to advance the recommendations in the National Strategy to Advance Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing and Analytics. The goal is to move towards a data ecosystem where the beneficial power of data can be unlocked while protecting privacy.
“This crucial investment represents our commitment to advancing the foundations of responsible AI and privacy-enhancing technologies,” said Dilma DaSilva, who serves as an assistant director for NSF’s Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate. “This effort supports research and development that enables individuals and society to benefit equitably from the value derived from privacy-preserving data sharing and analytics.”
Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, director of DOE’s Office of Science, emphasised the increasing importance of privacy-enhancing technologies in today’s data-driven landscape. “Privacy-enhancing technologies allow us to safeguard sensitive datasets and information needed to advance a broad research, development, and demonstration portfolio,” she said. “This Research Coordination Network will help us move toward the shared goal of establishing new data safety and security standards that will allow us to continue to develop the innovations and scientific discoveries we need to achieve our clean energy and industrial goals.”
Through this initiative, RCN also brings together experts from academia, industry, and government to support the development, deployment, and scaling of PETs. These crucial technologies enable data analysis while safeguarding individual privacy and addressing concerns arising from the increasing sophistication of data analysis techniques.
One of the primary goals of the RCN is to address the barriers to the widespread adoption of PETs, including regulatory considerations. By convening multidisciplinary, cross-sector, and international expert groups, the RCN aims to understand the risks of data sharing and analytics for marginalised and vulnerable groups. Central to the RCN’s mission is examining various mechanisms for deploying PETs, including research, technological innovations, regulatory measures, and standards and certifications. The team will prioritise use cases for PETs that support privacy-preserving machine learning and those essential for federal agencies to ensure the equitable use of AI.
With support from NSF and DOE, the RCN will drive meaningful progress in developing and deploying PETs, laying the foundation for a more privacy-conscious approach to data sharing and analytics in an era defined by rapid technological advancement.
The RCN’s work is particularly timely as society grapples with the challenges and opportunities presented by the proliferation of AI and data-driven technologies. The ability to harness the power of data for societal benefit while respecting privacy and individual rights is a key focus of the RCN. “By fostering collaboration and innovation in privacy-enhancing technologies, the RCN aims to shape a future where data can be shared and analysed responsibly, unlocking new insights and capabilities while protecting privacy and promoting equity,” Asmeret said.
Moreover, the RCN’s efforts will also contribute to discussions on broader data governance and privacy regulation. As governments and organisations worldwide seek to establish frameworks for responsible AI and data use, the insights and recommendations generated by the RCN will be invaluable in shaping policy and best practices.
Establishing the RCN marks a significant milestone in advancing privacy research and developing PETs in the United States. The RCN is well-positioned to drive substantial progress in this critical area by convening experts from various disciplines and sectors. In an era of rapid technological advancement, society faces challenges and opportunities in the digital age. The work of the RCN will play a crucial role in shaping a future where data can be utilised responsibly and ethically, ultimately benefiting all individuals and communities.