DELVING DEEPER: NEAR VIETNAM
The Hub Creating A Catalyst for Web3 Adotion in Vietnam.
Scheduled for September, the NEAR Vietnam Hub is preparing to host NEAR APAC, a momentous Web3 event anticipated to be the largest in Vietnam and possibly the APAC region; this will also commemorate the one-year anniversary of the organisation. With an impressive number of over a million active users spanning various sectors, the NEAR Vietnam Hub has established itself as a vibrant community within communities and a standout among the Regional Hubs within the NEAR ecosystem.
So, how has the Vietnam Hub achieved such monumental progress in such a brief time? What can we anticipate from NEAR’s largest local community? The NEARWEEK team had the delight of interviewing Vietnam Hub trustee, Riley Tran, to discuss the challenges associated with building and managing a sizeable community, achievements, upcoming events, and a host of other topics.
Summary:
- NEAR Vietnam Hub is a dynamic community of Open Web enthusiasts with over 1 million active users, standing out as one of the most vibrant Regional Hubs in the NEAR ecosystem
- The Hub’s chief goals comprise of engaging the local developer community, nurturing collaboration between local developers and businesses, as well as participating in regional events and activities to promote real-world applications of the BOS
- September will see the Hub host NEAR APAC, projected to one of the most significant Web3 events in the APAC region
- The Hub aspires to collaborate with universities and institutions to frequently host programmes, like the Vietnam Summer Blockchain School and Hackfest, to propel mass adoption of Web3
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A Blossoming Community of Blockchain Enthusiasts
NEAR Regional Hubs are talent-fuelled local communities that empower individuals and local projects to learn, connect, and ultimately transition into NEAR and Web3. Vietnam holds the top position in the Global Cryptocurrency Acceptance Index (Chainalysis)—boasting over 20 million active crypto users—and so, the inception of an official NEAR community was a logical step.
The formation of the Vietnam Hub reflects an understanding of the need to create a locally-focused support system around the growing interest in open-source technology in Vietnam.
‘We’re a group of passionate individuals, cognisant of the potential for blockchain technology in the region, who have united to establish the Hub. We’ve identified an opportunity to leverage Vietnam’s strong tech talent and the escalating adoption of blockchain technology to contribute to the NEAR ecosystem.’
— Riley Tran, NEAR Vietnam Hub
The Hub’s primary objectives include:
- Educating and engaging the local developer community about the NEAR Protocol and its potential in constructing decentralised applications (dApps)
- Cultivating collaboration between local developers, businesses, and the NEAR ecosystem to generate ground-breaking projects
- Participating in in-person events and activities to highlight the benefits of the NEAR Protocol over other blockchain platforms
- Offering resources, support, and local expertise to create a flourishing ecosystem that benefits both the Vietnamese community and NEAR
Equipping a New Generation of NEAR Users
The Vietnam Hub encompasses various segments, including education, funding, incubation, and community. The education segment renders the Hub a valuable resource for learning about NEAR , Web3, and blockchain technology. Riley points out, ‘One strength of the Open Web community in Vietnam is its emphasis on education and knowledge sharing. Various open-source organisations and communities in Vietnam organise a plethora of blockchain-related events, seminars, and workshops, offering opportunities to learn about blockchain technology and its applications.’
This year, the Hub partnered with Tôn Đức Thắng University, one of Vietnam’s largest public universities, to launch the Vietnam Summer Blockchain School as part of the NEAR APAC activities. The programme will host 400 participants who will receive a comprehensive education in the necessary knowledge and programming skills for building Open Web-related projects to become part of the NEAR Developer community.
Additionally, the Hub will host Web3 Hackfest, a four-month-long hackathon festival catering to builders, creators, and developers. The festival will feature multichain developer bootcamps, university tours, workshops, and a hackathon.
Riley adds that the plan is to continue collaborating with interested universities and institutions to routinely host programmes like the Vietnam Summer Blockchain School and the Hackfest to propel mass adoption of Web3.
NEAR APAC: A Showcase of Vietnam’s Potential
NEAR APAC is the flagship event for the Vietnam Hub and the country’s inaugural international blockchain event. A joint effort by the NEAR Foundation, GFI Blockchain (GFI) and VN Blockchain Innovation (VBI), the event is expected to welcome over 8,000 participants, over 50 VCs, more than 300 startups, and in excess of 100 speakers, including NEAR Co-Founder Illia Polosukhin.
The event is a significant milestone recognising Vietnam’s capacity to compete with the leading nations in blockchain technology worldwide. Furthermore, Riley believes that NEAR APAC presents an opportunity to connect NEAR with various stakeholders, from builders to the media, to foster robust development of an Open Web.
The five-day mega event is scheduled to run from September 8–12, 2023.
Looking Ahead
A large community heralds promising developments but it also entails inherent challenges, such as ensuring each member feels involved, keeping pace with the demand for support and information, while catering to the needs of a diverse community. The Hub has been resourceful in handling these challenges by assembling a committed and highly collaborative team, establishing specialised channels based on demographic and interest.
As the community in Vietnam and the wider NEAR ecosystem evolves, Riley believes it is crucial to focus on real-world use cases.
‘Emphasising real-world integrations and use-cases, promoting and spotlighting products constructed on NEAR that provide genuine utility and value to end-users is what will help demonstrate NEAR’s capabilities on the world stage, strengthening mainstream adoption.’
— Riley Tran, NEAR Vietnam Hub
NEAR Vietnam Hub has created a thriving and growing community committed to promoting the adoption of blockchain technology in Vietnam. The Hub lays significant emphasis on education and real-world use cases, and is organising several notable events in the forthcoming months. The NEAR APAC event in September will serve as a landmark for the Hub, undoubtedly showcasing the potential of blockchain technology to a wider audience. The Hub is also working to collaborate with universities and institutions to routinely host programmes like the Vietnam Summer Blockchain School and the Hackfest to boost mass adoption of NEAR in Vietnam and the APAC Region.
Written by Ronin
Edited by @achildhoodhero
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About NEAR Protocol
NEAR is on a mission to onboard a billion users to the limitless possibilities of Web3 with the Blockchain Operating System (BOS). Leveraging its high-performance, carbon-neutral protocol, which is swift, secure, and scalable, NEAR offers a common layer for browsing and discovering the open web.
