Domestic enterprises are not only mastering technology but are also gradually creating platforms, solutions, and products capable of solving major national and regional challenges…

The Vietnam – Asia DX Summit 2026, hosted by  the Vietnam Software and IT Services
Association (VINASA), opened in Hanoi on May 27.

In her opening speech, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Giang, VINASA Vice
President and General Secretary, stated that the world is undergoing an unprecedentedly
profound transformation under the influence of artificial intelligence, big
data, automation, semiconductor technology, new energy, and next-generation
digital platforms. 

These changes are not only creating new industries but are
also restructuring the entire growth model, competitive capabilities, and
positions of each nation in the global value chain, she noted. 

For Vietnam, according to Ms. Giang, the demand for rapid
and sustainable development is posing unprecedented challenges, especially in
how to realize the goal of double-digit growth in the  new 
phase of development. 

“We all see that traditional growth drivers are
gradually reaching their limits. In this context, digital technology is no
longer a trend-based option but has become an infrastructure for growth,
productivity, and innovation,” she said. 

In recent years, Vietnam has made significant progress in
this field. By 2025, the scale of Vietnam’s digital economy is expected to
reach approximately $39 billion, up 17%, ranking among the fastest in Southeast
Asia. The proportion of the digital economy has now exceeded 14% of GDP. The
revenue of the digital technology industry in 2025 is projected to reach about $198
billion, with over 75,000 digital technology enterprises currently
operating. 

Vietnam is also one of the countries with the highest levels
of AI access and application in the region, with the percentage of users
interacting with AI daily among the leaders in Southeast Asia. 

VINASA representatives believe that the ecosystem of
Vietnam’s digital technology enterprises is maturing rapidly. Vietnamese
enterprises are not only mastering technology but are also gradually creating
platforms, solutions, and products capable of solving major national and
regional challenges. 

“The community of Vietnam’s digital technology
enterprises will play a particularly important role, not only as solution
providers but also as a force to create new competitive capabilities for the
economy,” Ms. Giang affirmed. 

In the national development strategy until 2030, Vietnam
aims to simultaneously promote three pillars: digital government, digital
economy, and digital society. For digital government, the goal is to build a
smart public administration model, with data at the center of governance and
management, while improving the quality of service of state agencies. By 2030,
Vietnam aims to digitize 100% of public services. 

Vietnam expects that by 2030, its digital economy will contribute
about 30% of GDP from 17-19% currently. Meanwhile, the digital society aims to
develop skills for digital citizens and establish a culture of behavior in
cyberspace, laying a foundation for comprehensive digital transformation. 

 Mr. Ngo Thanh Hien,
Chief Technology Officer of IBM Vietnam, for his part, stated: “This is
both a challenge and a driving force that opens up great opportunities for
digital enterprises to accompany national development goals.” 

Previously, information technology was primarily seen as a
tool to support operations. However, in the new context, digital infrastructure
and the digital economy are being viewed as new growth drivers for the economy,
he remarked.

“To achieve the goal of double-digit growth, old models
based on public investment or cheap labor will no longer be suitable. Vietnam
must create new economic models and business models based on knowledge and
digital infrastructure,” Mr. Hien said. 

IBM representatives believe that the role of digital
enterprises will become increasingly important in the coming period. However, according
to them, one of the current major challenges is that data remains fragmented,
scattered, and not effectively utilized for operational activities or
decision-making. 

Therefore, Vietnam needs to build an interconnected
architecture among ministries and sectors, while simplifying processes to
enhance operational efficiency. In addition, it is necessary to promote
large-scale digitization and integrate AI into the reconstruction of public
service systems. 

“Previously, digital transformation was mainly about
moving paperwork online. But that is no longer sufficient. We need to build
smarter systems that better understand the needs of citizens and operate more
efficiently thanks to AI,” Mr. Hien said.

VnEconomy-Bach Duong