Promoting digital transformation, developing digital economy and artificial intelligence: Building a strong Vietnam in the digital age

At the training conference on state management of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation (S&T) for leaders of the Department of Science and Technology of provinces and cities held on the afternoon of October 16 in Hanoi, Permanent Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan emphasized that this is a pivotal period when S&T, S&T and digital transformation are considered the only way to develop the country, towards the goal of creating a strong Vietnam in the digital age.

The entire industry must take the lead in removing institutional bottlenecks, creating synchronous legal and digital infrastructure, and at the same time promoting research and application of strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, etc. These will be important pillars to create new momentum for national growth.

Overview of the Conference.

Building a synchronous institutional infrastructure: Paving the way for national innovation and digital transformation

In his opening speech at the Conference, Permanent Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan emphasized the spirit of urgent and drastic action of the entire sector, clearly demonstrated by the fact that the Steering Committee for the implementation of Resolution 57 quickly met and issued the General Secretary's conclusions in just one day. This is the clearest evidence demonstrating the strong political will of the Party and State to consider science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as the central driving force for new growth.

The Deputy Minister said that after one year of implementing Resolution 57, the science and technology sector has achieved many important results, but there are still many bottlenecks in terms of institutions, policies and implementation mechanisms. Therefore, the current key task is to focus on removing bottlenecks in the legal system; especially the Law on Digital Transformation and the Law on High Technology (amended) - two fundamental laws to realize the major policies of the Party and State in the digital age.

The Deputy Minister emphasized: "The Law on Digital Transformation is a difficult but urgent law that must address issues of pricing, investment, bidding, data management and digital infrastructure. Directors of the Department of Science and Technology need to proactively participate and contribute practical ideas so that the Law can truly come into life when it is promulgated."

In addition, amending the Law on High Technology is considered a strategic step to pave the way for research, mastery and application of cutting-edge technologies, considering it not only a development requirement but also a political task of the science and technology sector in the new period.

Along with that, the formation of new high-tech zones in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and some other localities requires a flexible and open operating mechanism, creating conditions for businesses and scientists to participate in innovation.

In order for the Ministry of Science and Technology to truly take the lead in digital transformation, the Deputy Minister suggested that the entire sector unify actions from the central to local levels, pioneering internal digital transformation before spreading it throughout the system. The Deputy Minister illustrated that all scientific and technological research activities need to have their records synchronized on the same platform, and appraisal processes need to have a shared database to ensure consistency, transparency and efficiency.

In the context of increasing investment resources for science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, the Deputy Minister said that building a synchronous management platform and digital data infrastructure for the entire industry is an urgent requirement, in order to effectively use the state budget, while creating a solid foundation for long-term development. He requested that leaders of the Department of Science and Technology of localities "commit, accompany and proactively remove obstacles with the Ministry", strengthen connections and cooperation so that the science and technology, innovation and digital transformation system of the whole country is smooth and effective, creating a strong movement towards the goal of a strong Vietnam in the digital age.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan delivered the opening speech at the Conference.

Unlocking Local Potential: Science, Technology and Innovation Development Fund, AI and Comprehensive Digital Transformation Roadmap

Presenting at the Conference, Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien, Director of the National Science and Technology Development Fund, emphasized that the establishment and operation of the local Science, Technology and Innovation Development Fund plays an important role in supporting applied research, creative startups, and promoting the connection of "three houses": Enterprises - Schools/Institutes - State.

Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien said that the local Science, Technology and Innovation Development Fund will act as a "financial sandbox" for innovation, operating on the principles of post-audit management; accepting risks, being exempted from responsibility when complying with the correct procedures; public-private partnership, co-funding; and autonomy in using results.

Regarding the key orientation, Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien said that it is necessary to perfect the institution guiding the Law in 2025; strengthen financial autonomy, mobilize socialization; apply efficiency assessment standards according to OECD; closely link local - national - enterprise - international funds; promote digitalization of management processes.

"Each locality has its own potential, the Fund will help turn potential into actual capacity. Building the Fund is the beginning, operating effectively is success", Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien emphasized.

Mr. Dao Ngoc Chien, Director of the National Fund for Science and Technology Development, presented at the Conference.

According to Mr. Tran Duy Ninh, Director of the National Digital Transformation Agency, 2025 is identified as a breakthrough year in digital transformation in the spirit of Resolution 57-NQ/TW. According to statistics, Vietnam is currently ranked 71/193 countries in terms of digital government, up 15 places compared to the previous year. The rate of online records reached 39.85%, up 4.24% compared to 2024. In terms of economy, revenue from the information technology industry reached VND 2,772 trillion, up 24%, completing 65% of the yearly plan; hardware and electronics exports reached VND 2,485 trillion, up 29%.

Digital transformation has spread strongly to every area of ​​social life. To date, Vietnam has issued 21.8 million digital signature certificates, 17.5 million chip-embedded citizen identification cards and 64 million VNeID accounts with more than 48 utilities, an average of 1.5 million uses/day. Digital infrastructure has been rapidly expanded with 99.3% of villages having mobile broadband, mobile network speed reaching 146.64 Mbps (Top 20 in the world), fixed network reaching 203.89 Mbps (Top 26), and 5G network covering 26% of the population.

Mr. Tran Duy Ninh said that the above results are clear evidence that the major ideas on digital transformation have been institutionalized in the Digital Transformation Law, including: Comprehensive digitalization of the real world and connection of real and virtual world (digital twin); infrastructure development to pave the way for innovation; creation of a smart and distance-free digital government; development of digital economy and digital society; and measures to ensure digital sovereignty, standards, finance and national data.

Mr. Tran Duy Ninh, Director of the National Digital Transformation Agency, presented at the Conference.

Mr. Tran Minh Tuan, Director of the Department of Digital Economy and Society, said that the orientation for implementing the program and plan for developing the digital economy and digital society in the 2026-2030 period will focus on supporting digital transformation for businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The Ministry of Science and Technology has issued a set of indicators to assess the level of digital transformation for 25 industries and fields according to Decision 1567/QD-BKHCN; The financial support policy for enterprises is implemented according to the "50:50" mechanism - the State supports 50% of the cost, enterprises match 50%. The goal set by 2030 is to have at least 650,000 enterprises reaching the "Starting" level, 250,000 enterprises "Accelerating", 80,000 enterprises "Optimizing" and 20,000 enterprises "Elite". At the same time, labor productivity at these enterprises increases by at least 15% thanks to the application of digital technology, and 100% of SME workers are trained in basic digital skills.

For large enterprises, the Ministry of Science and Technology focuses on providing specialized support: Issuing a self-assessment toolkit according to TMForum international standards, developing 1,000 digital transformation consultants, and building an ecosystem of platforms and solutions that meet national standards for each industry and field.

According to Mr. Tran Minh Tuan, the plan to pilot and replicate the enterprise digital transformation model will be implemented in 5 steps: Completing the criteria set for 25 industries in the fourth quarter of 2025; Completing the online measurement tool; Establishing a transparent digital solution approval process (Integrating AI, committing to increase productivity by at least 15%); Publicizing the list of digital platforms and solutions; Guiding businesses to connect and deploy. The goal is to successfully replicate the pilot model in all fields, creating a foundation for comprehensive transformation of the business sector.

Mr. Tran Minh Tuan, Director of the Department of Digital Economy and Society, presented at the Conference.

Mr. Ho Duc Thang, Director of the National Institute of Digital Technology and Digital Transformation, said that implementing the National Strategy on AI by 2030 (Decision 127/QD-TTg) is a key task, aiming to bring Vietnam into the group of 4 leading ASEAN countries in AI. Vietnam will develop large Vietnamese language models, build open databases, high-performance computing centers, serving priority areas such as smart homes, self-driving cars, and industrial robots.

In terms of policy, the Ministry of Science and Technology is developing a Trusted AI Governance Framework, AI ethics guidelines, and a sandbox testing mechanism for AI products to encourage controlled innovation. At the same time, Vietnam will implement high-quality human resource training programs, nurture a team of experts, promote international cooperation, and offer special incentives for domestically produced AI products.

Mr. Ho Duc Thang, Director of the National Institute of Digital Technology and Digital Transformation, presented at the Conference.

Within the framework of the Conference, delegates also discussed: Guidelines for building, organizing, managing and implementing the Science and Technology Program, Science and Technology tasks; State management of e-transactions; Difficulties in digital transformation in Gia Lai, or problems in organizing the administrative apparatus after merging two levels of government in Lai Chau...

Mr. Luu Quang Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Engineering, guides the Departments in building, organizing, managing and implementing the Science and Technology Programs and Tasks.

Ms. To Thi Huong, Director of the National Center for Electronic Authentication, presented on "State management of electronic transactions" at the Conference.

Opinions were unanimous that it is necessary to continue to improve the legal framework, increase experience sharing among localities, and promote coordination between the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Departments of Science and Technology to effectively implement the tasks of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. This is considered a fundamental step for strategies and policies to not only be issued but also come into life, creating synchronous and sustainable movements nationwide.

With a commitment to action from the central to local levels, with science, technology and innovation development funds, business support programs and a national AI strategy, Vietnam is realizing the goal of becoming a powerful nation in the digital age, where each locality maximizes its own potential, converts potential into actual capacity and makes innovation the central driving force for comprehensive development.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/thuc-day-chuyen-doi-so-phat-trien-kinh-te-so-va-tri-tue-nhan-tao-kien-tao-viet-nam-hung-cuong-trong-ky-nguyen-so-197251016162544764.htm