Vietnamese IT experts say young tech innovators like Flappy Bird developer Nguyen Ha Dong have helped shine a light on Vietnam’s capability in software development and that the government should aid their case.

Flappy Bird has helped shine a light on Vietnam’s capability in software development

Former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Information Processing, Dr. Bui Manh Hai, said the case of Nguyen Ha Dong shows domestic innovators' capability in handling certain management and media issues attached to achieving success in their fields.

He said, “Management agencies should have aided supported Dong to navigate the business side of marketing his product, including protecting his product and handling tax liabilities.” He compared Ha Dong to a small, lonely bird, suggesting mechanisms to assist young tech-savvy engineers to transform Vietnam into country with strong IT development.

Dr. Nguyen Nhat Quang, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (Vinasa) and Head of Vinasa’s Institute for Science and Technology, expected as much for Ha Dong and his contemporaries with innovative products.

According to Dr. Quang, the launch of a famous product does not only attract the global IT community’s attention, but also benefits the developer and the country as a whole.

Dr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of Vinasa, said “Flappy Bird has brought fame to Nguyen Ha Dong and attention to the tech sector in Vietnam. We should be happy with this and encourage further development. Vinasa always supports individuals and organisations in their effort to develop the country’s IT sector.”

Amongtech.com said the game beat Candy Crush Saga, in worldwide sales to become the most popular game of the year so far.

Speaking with a local newspaper, Ha Dong said he received many emails from foreign developers which accusing him of copying other apps, though Dong claims to have known nothing about these other apps before he was contacted.

“This game was written entirely by me and I did not copy it from anyone," he told the Newswire.