Digital industry to contribute a quarter of Vietnam’s GDP by 2025
A pending project on national digital transition aims for the digital industry to contribute 25 percent of Vietnam’s GDP by 2025 and for the country to be placed fourth among ASEAN member states in terms of national digital ranking.
Hanoi (VNA) – A pending project on nationaldigital transition aims for the digital industry to contribute 25 percent ofVietnam’s GDP by 2025 and for the country to be placed fourth among ASEANmember states in terms of national digital ranking.
The project, designed by the Ministry ofInformation and Communications, is opened for public feedback before beingsubmitted to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
It consists of three phases, implementedbetween 2019 and 2030. The first phase (2019 – 2020) will focus on digitisationin socio-economic areas to boost productivity, create new development sources,build relevant infrastructure and legal framework and provide guidance forenterprises on digital transition.
The second phase (2021 – 2025) aims to turndigitisation into a part of the national competitiveness. During the period,digital transition will take place across sectors, particularly in updatingbusiness models to apply digital platforms and ecosystems and in forming valuechains.
The third phase (2026 – 2030) targets acomprehensive digital-based society and economy, with new digital industriesformed. Significant support will be funneled into technological fields like artificialintelligence (AI), Big Data, and Internet of Things.
Minister of Information and CommunicationsNguyen Manh Hung said Vietnam will announce its national digital transitionstrategy this year.
Affordable smartphones and mobile data planshave driven recent growth of internet usage in Vietnam. The country has about64 million internet users (approximately 67 percent of the population), placingit among the top 20 countries with the highest internet penetration.
Meanwhile, more and more businesses haveapplied digital technology to production, business activities and management,which is reflected in the rapidly increasing rate of new technologies such ascloud computing, AI and automation.
A survey of about 5,000 businesses inVietnam conducted by the Vietnam E-Commerce Association revealed that 43percent of enterprises used websites, 32 percent used social networks and 15percent used mobile applications to sell their products in 2018.-VNA
A digital economy is an inevitable step for development, said Nguyen Thanh Hung, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications at the 2016 Internet Day event in Hanoi.
Government bodies should be more proactive in promoting IT application, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said at the opening of the 2017 Vietnam ICT Summit in Hanoi on September 6.
Major economic hubs of big cities and provinces nationwide have announced ambitious multi-billion dollar projects to become smart cities, well-equipped to take advantage of opportunities presented by the digital age, but so far, the country still lacks a specific standard framework for building a "smart city".
Vietnam needs to build up the National Innovation Centre to create a technological start-up ecosystem and upgrade the national innovation system, said experts.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) 
