Digital transformation is uneven.
Over the past five years, many Vietnamese businesses have begun to implement digital technology in their production and business operations. According to an analysis by the Department of Digital Economy and Society ( Ministry of Science and Technology ), Vietnamese businesses have made significant strides in digital transformation, particularly in applying digital tools to management, marketing, and customer service processes. However, the level of digital transformation still varies considerably among different business groups, between urban and rural areas, and between traditional and high-tech industries.
A recent nationwide survey conducted by the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology revealed that: 69% of businesses are at the basic level of digital transformation, using tools like email and accounting software; 16% have entered the system integration phase (ERP, CRM, IoT, etc.); only 10% of businesses have fully digitized and integrated AI into their operations; and 5% of businesses have not yet begun any digital transformation activities.
This reality reflects an uneven picture of digital transformation levels within the business community, showing that many organizations have only reached the stage of "digitizing tools" without truly changing their business models, operational processes, or organizational culture in a digital direction.
In addition, businesses also face many difficulties such as: lack of financial resources, limited digital human resources, lack of specific direction on the digital transformation roadmap… This creates an urgent need for stronger support policies to help businesses move towards a truly effective digital transformation.
To address this bottleneck, the Ministry of Science and Technology has issued a set of criteria for evaluating the level of digital transformation in businesses, attached to Decision No. 1567/QD-BKHCN dated June 30, 2025. This is the first time Vietnam has had an official set of tools for comprehensive, systematic evaluation that can be widely applied within the business community.
The set of criteria is designed with several clear objectives, including: standardizing the approach; quantitatively assessing the level of digital transformation, making it comparable across businesses and industries; classifying businesses by size, with specific criteria for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and supporting businesses in self-assessment, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and developing appropriate transformation roadmaps. The criteria also serve as a basis for government agencies to monitor progress and formulate targeted support policies.
Beyond being merely a technical tool, this set of criteria plays a crucial role in establishing a foundation for a professional ecosystem of consulting, evaluating, and supporting digital transformation in businesses. It is also a necessary step towards forming a national database on the level of digital transformation in businesses, serving research, forecasting, and medium- and long-term policy implementation.
Along with the issuance of the criteria set, the Ministry of Science and Technology is developing the "Digital Transformation Project for Enterprises, Cooperatives, and Household Businesses in the period 2026-2030". The project sets the following goals for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): to bring at least 650,000 enterprises to the "Starting" level; 250,000 enterprises to the "Accelerating" level; 80,000 enterprises to the "Optimizing" level; and 20,000 enterprises to the "Elite" level.
In addition, support will be provided to 100% of eligible cooperatives and business households to apply effective digital transformation solutions to improve labor productivity; support will be given to 50,000 businesses to innovate in production and business activities; and digital transformation solutions will help increase labor productivity by at least 15% in the transformed processes and technology applications.
Specifically, the Project also outlines a support mechanism based on the principle of matching funds: the State provides a maximum of 50% support within one year; small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperatives, and business households pay the remaining portion. The support is tailored to the level of digital transformation readiness of each target group across 25 industries and professions, ensuring the provision of the right and sufficient tools and solutions.
Implement it in practice.
Mr. Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the National Digital Transformation Department, stated: To concretize the Party's guidelines in implementing digital transformation from 2020 to the present, the Government and the Prime Minister have issued national-scale programs and strategies such as: Decision No. 749/QD-TTg (2020) approving the National Digital Transformation Program until 2025, with orientation to 2030, identifying three main pillars: Digital Government, Digital Economy , and Digital Society; Decision No. 942/QD-TTg (2021) approving the Strategy for the Development of E-Government towards Digital Government for the period 2021-2025, with orientation to 2030; and Decision No. 411/QD-TTg (2022) approving the National Strategy for the Development of the Digital Economy and Digital Society until 2025, with orientation to 2030.
Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW affirms the role of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation as the main pillar and decisive factor for the country's development in the digital age, reflecting the strategic vision and political determination of the Party. To implement this Resolution, the Government has issued Resolution No. 03/NQ-CP dated January 9, 2025, and Resolution No. 71/NQ-CP dated April 1, 2025, on the Action Program to implement Resolution 57-NQ/TW.
"It can be said that the direction, management, and implementation of national digital transformation tasks have been carried out with high political determination, great effort, and decisive action," Mr. Le Anh Tuan commented.
Regarding the implementation of Resolution No. 71/NQ-CP and Plan No. 02-KH/BCĐTW, as of the end of September 2025, the total number of assigned tasks was 679, of which 277 tasks had been completed (186 completed within the deadline, 91 completed overdue); 24 tasks were overdue and not yet completed; and 378 tasks were underway.
Ministries, sectors, and localities have made efforts to implement and complete 186 tasks for 2025, demonstrating a strong transformation in promoting science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in Vietnam.
However, alongside the achievements, the national digital transformation process still faces a number of systemic difficulties and obstacles: institutions and legal policies have not kept pace with reality; infrastructure and data are not synchronized; connectivity and interoperability are limited; and the information technology workforce at the grassroots level is still lacking and weak…
Based on this reality, the Ministry of Science and Technology has drafted the Law on Digital Transformation to address difficulties related to costs and technology. Regarding finance, the draft law identifies digital infrastructure, digital public infrastructure, and digital technology industry infrastructure as national strategic infrastructure. The State prioritizes investment and mobilizes social resources to build and modernize digital infrastructure, ensuring it is synchronized, secure, sustainable, and green.
Regarding technology, the draft Law encourages research, development, and mastery of digital technologies for digital transformation; prioritizing the use of "Make in Vietnam" digital technology products and services in investment projects using state budget funds.
Regarding cybersecurity, the draft law stipulates the obligation to comply with the law and the responsibility of platform businesses in handling harmful content, protecting data, and safeguarding digital sovereignty.
Regarding the protection of individual rights, the draft Law includes a chapter on the digital society, with the principle of "people as the center"; protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens; popularizing basic digital services; prioritizing children, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups; and building a culture of civilized behavior in the digital environment.
"These regulations are expected to build 'digital trust' so that people and businesses can confidently participate, ensuring citizens' rights are protected, and everyone can enjoy the benefits of digital transformation fairly and safely," said Mr. Le Anh Tuan.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/hoan-thien-the-che-cho-chuyen-doi-so-20251008235047528.htm
![[Photo] General Secretary To Lam attends the opening session of the Peace Council on Gaza.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/02/19/1771516865192_tbttolam5-jpg.webp)
Comment (0)