The latest White Book on Vietnam's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) outlook shows that it has become brighter on the global ICT map, despite the domestic economic downturn.

The book shows that in relation to offshore services, Vietnam remains among the top 30 leading countries in the world and in the top 10 in Asia-Pacific.

According to a report by A.T. Kearney business consultants, Vietnam ranked eighth for offshore services, jumping two places compared to 2009.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) also reported the country's ICT Development Index had risen five places from 86th to 81th, ranking 4th in Southeast Asia and 12th among 27 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

This year, the Tholons Inc Consultancy continues to place Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi among the top 100 outsourcing destinations in the world. Ho Chi Minh City was ranked 16th while Hanoi was ranked 23rd in terms of software outsourcing.

The software industry failed to maintain the sharp rise enjoyed in previous years due to the economic downturn, but industry revenue reached over 1.2 billion USD, a 3.1 percent increase compared to 2011.

To Thi Thu Huong, deputy head of the Information Technology Department under the Ministry of Information and Communications, explained the modest growth in the software industry was attributed to declines on the global market which were caused by the economic crisis.

However, she said the Government aimed to promote the industry's development. This year, software products continued to enjoy investment incentives and preferential corporate income tax rates.-VNA